Jerusalem artichoke: a tall summer garden with a winter harvest

Choose by flavour, shape and use

Gewoon: Tall-growing tuber crop for autumn and winter harvesting. Scrub the irregular tubers and roast thin pieces with oil, or make soup. Small, fresh tubers can be finely grated as a crisp addition to raw salads.

Jerusalem artichoke has a gentle, nutty flavour reminiscent of globe artichoke. No distinct flavour difference is established for the ordinary offering; preparation partly determines perceived sweetness.

Rood: Red-skinned Jerusalem artichoke for a tuber bed that can regrow. Roast scrubbed tubers in equal pieces. The red exterior adds variety to the platter; in puréed soup, the mild aroma comes to the fore instead.

Red-skinned Jerusalem artichoke has the crop's mild, nutty character. Skin colour does not prove a stronger aroma than a pale-skinned type; compare both with the same preparation.

Reserve a position for several seasons

Jerusalem artichoke grows from tubers and can return each spring. Avoid shading low beds with tall stems. A path-accessible edge eases winter harvesting. Watch spread: a forgotten small tuber may become a new plant.

Plant firm tubers in spring

Choose firm, healthy tubers and plant in workable soil. Starting is similar to planting potatoes, but Jerusalem artichoke is a separate crop with different growth and harvesting. Follow the spacing for your chosen variety. Mark the row before leaves appear so you know where you can hoe.

Make the soil ready for harvesting

Plants tolerate varied soils, but deep rootable soil eases tuber growth and lifting. Do not work soaking clay. Mature compost improves structure and retention. A fixed harvest strip avoids walking through other beds repeatedly in winter.

Give tall stems gentle support

Compact varieties may stand with little help in shelter. Exposed tall stems need stakes and soft cord. Add support before falling. Do not tighten cord around individual stems; support should resist wind without constricting growth.

Avoid prolonged summer drought

Strong plants may look healthy above ground while tubers have little swelling room. Check soil in prolonged drought and water as needed. Containers dry faster and need more attention. Mulch retains moisture but must not wrap plant bases permanently wet.

Start as above-ground growth declines

Harvest tubers from late autumn. Leave short stems or labels to locate them. Insert a fork beside the row and lift gently; tubers can lie farther from stems than expected. Take a small portion first to explore flavour and processing.

Leave the stored crop in the ground as long as possible

Jerusalem artichokes dry fairly quickly after lifting. In reachable, unfrozen winter soil, harvest as needed. Store small supplies cool, protected from drying, for example in slightly damp sand. Use damaged tubers first and check soft spots regularly.

Decide what may return next year

To continue, save healthy tubers for replanting. To stop, remove as many small tubers as possible and pull new shoots promptly. Scrub harvests before use; smooth thin skins need not always be removed. Start with small portions: Jerusalem artichoke does not agree equally with everyone.