The sunchoke, also called Jerusalem artichoke, is a variety of perennial sunflower grown for its edible low-starch tuber which looks much like a small potato but tastes like a water chestnut. Sunchoke tubers can be planted in the garden as early as 2 to 3 weeks before the average last frost date in spring. They are best planted in soil that has warmed to 50°F. In warm-winter regions sunchokes can be planted in winter. Sunchokes require 110 to 150 days to reach harvest.
Description. The sunchoke is a hardy perennial that grows from 5 to 10 feet tall. The plant has rough-textured leaves 4 to 8 inches long and is topped with small yellow flowers 2 to 3 inches across. Sunchokes will survive a hard freeze if protected by a layer of soil or mulch. Tubers rapidly spread and divide but can be controlled by root barriers.
The name Jerusalem artichoke is a misnomer: the plant is not related to the artichoke, though the sunchoke’s flavor may be reminiscent of the artichoke. The plant is not from Jerusalem: the name is probably derived from the Italian name for a sunflower, girasole, which means turning to the sun.
Yield. Plant 5 to 10 sunchokes for each household member.
Site. Plant sunchokes in full sun. The sunchoke prefers loose, well-drained soil but will grow almost anywhere. Add aged compost or sand to planting beds before planting; loose soil will make tuber harvesting easier. The sunchoke prefers a soil pH from 5.8 to 6.2. It is best to set sunchokes in a dedicated bed; once established they will spread rapidly and may require some effort to remove. The sunchoke can be planted densely to form a screen or windbreak.
Planting time. Sunchoke tubers can be planted in the garden as early as 2 to 3 weeks before the average last frost date in spring. They are best planted in soil that has warmed to 50°F. In warm-winter regions sunchokes can be planted in winter. Sunchokes require 110 to 150 days to reach harvest. Sunchokes grow best in temperatures ranging from 65° to 90°F.
Planting and spacing. Plant sunchoke tubers 2 to 6 inches deep, 12 to 18 inches apart. Space rows 36 to rows inches apart.
Water and feeding. Sunchokes grow best with an even, regular supply of water but can survive long periods of drought once established. Sunchokes require no extra feeding; they grow best in soil rich in organic matter.
Companion plants. Corn, rhubarb, peanuts. Avoid planting sunchokes with tomatoes.
Care. Sunchoke tubers grow, divide, and easily spread. To contain sunchokes install wood, plastic, metal, or masonry barriers at least 24 inches deep in the soil. Avoid deep cultivation near sunchokes; they are shallow rooted and spread to 18 inches away from the main stem.
Container growing. Sunchokes can be grown in containers but will quickly fill a small container. Choose a container at least 18 inches across for one plant.
Pests. Aphids may attack sunchokes. Pinch out infested foliage or hose the aphids off the plants.
Diseases. Sunchoke tubers can rot in wet soil but are generally disease free. Plant in well-drained soil and quickly remove diseased plants.
Harvest. Sunchoke tubers will be ready for harvest is 120 to 150 days after planting. Cut off flower stalks as soon as they appear to encourage tuber, not seed, production. Plants also can be “lodged” once flowers appear; step on stems at soil level and bend them to the side diverting energy to the tubers. Sunchokes harvested after a light frost will be sweeter tasting. Sunchokes are ready for harvest when leaves die back; lift tubers with a spading fork. Tubers left in the ground will regrow the following season.
Varieties. Stampede.
Storing and preserving. Sunchokes will keep in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days, or set them in a cold moist place for 2 to 5 months. Sunchokes can be frozen or left in the ground until needed; protect over-wintered sunchokes with a layer of mulch.
Common name. Jerusalem artichoke, sunchoke
Botanical name. Helianthus tuberosus
Origin. North America
Grow 80 vegetables: THE KITCHEN GARDEN GROWERS’ GUIDE
Hi! I was just curious about the term “lodged.” What I am imagining by the description is that you are stepping on the main stem of the plant and bending it back to the ground. Is this correct? When doing this, do you want to avoid breaking the stem, or is that alright? Also, I noticed that it was suggested on the onion article for when they try to flower – is this the same technique?
I grew some last year, and didn’t get to harvesting them much, so they are now coming up again, which is great! But I am wondering about after this year. Should I dig all of them up, and then re-space the bulbs? If I do this, would they have any chance of just starting up again, or should I take care to do it when it’s fairly cold out? I was just thinking that if I dug them all up, I could dig in some compost before re-spacing them.
Thank you for this great article!
Hi Eleanor: The answer to your questions is yes, yes, yes, and yes. Lodging sunchokes and onions is as you describe, stepping on the leafy stems or tops and bending them over; you can also do this with the back of a rake also. Start lodging when the leaves have turned yellow and have started to topple over. Lodging will direct the plants’ energy from the leaves to the tubers or bulbs. You aren’t completly breaking the stem but you are essentially interrupting the flow of water and nutrients to the top of the plant. After harvest you can dig up and re-space your remaining sunchoke tubers or onion bulbs; make sure the tubers or bulbs are free of mold or rot. When the tubers or bulbs are up, that is an excellent time to add compost to the planting bed, as you suggest.
Does anyone know if Sunchokes are resistant to deer? We have a huge deer population and they eat most anything.
One additional question. Will Sunchokes survive with winter temps that get below zero?
Regards,
Mike
Are Sunchokes deer resistant? Will Sunchokes survive temperatures below zero?
From direct experience, I can not answer these questions, perhaps some readers can weigh in. However, I am tempted to say Yes to both questions. Here is why: the Sunchoke or Jerusalem Artichoke is native to North America and can be found growing wild in the north central region of the United States along the Canadian border as well as the east coast of the United States. Native American Indians were growing Sunchokes before the first Europeans arrived. The Sunchoke is a perennial–even though today it is commonly grown as an annual crop; that is because the plant’s top growth or stems are killed by frost. Clearly, the tuber survives cold weather. However, for the purpose of preserving the tuber harvest–edible tubers, Sunchokes should not be left in soil that is poorly drained or freezes. The best yield can be had where the growing season is frost-free for 4 to 5 months and where the soil is well-drained sandy loam.