Planting Jerusalem Artichokes | A Complete Guide to Growing Sunchokes in Your Garden

Introduction: Grow Your Own Nutty, Nutritious Crop

Jerusalem artichokes — also known as sunchokes — are one of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables you can grow. These knobbly, sunflower-like plants produce an abundance of edible tubers packed with earthy, nutty flavour and prebiotic health benefits. Once planted, they come back year after year, making them a perfect addition to any low-maintenance edible garden.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to plant Jerusalem artichokes, where and when to grow them, how to care for them, and how to harvest and store these delicious tubers.

1. What Are Jerusalem Artichokes?

Despite the name, Jerusalem artichokes aren’t related to globe artichokes or Jerusalem. They are a type of sunflower (Helianthus tuberosus), native to North America, that produces edible tubers beneath the soil.

Key features:

• Tall plants (can reach 2–3 metres)
• Grown for their knobbly, edible tubers
• Perennial once established
• Great for privacy screens or windbreaks
• Thrive with little effort or attention

The tubers have a crisp texture and a slightly sweet, nutty flavour — great roasted, mashed, or added to soups.

2. Why Grow Jerusalem Artichokes?

They’re one of the most forgiving crops you can grow.

Benefits include:

• Low maintenance once planted
• Excellent for poor or neglected soil
• Productive and high-yielding
• Perennial — returns year after year
• Great for gut health (rich in inulin, a prebiotic fibre)
• Adds height and interest to garden borders

They’re also ideal for gardeners who want an easy root crop that doesn’t require constant attention.

3. When to Plant Jerusalem Artichokes (UK Guide)

The best time to plant Jerusalem artichokes is late winter to early spring, typically between February and April.

Plant as soon as the soil is workable and frost risk is minimal. Because they’re frost-tolerant once sprouted, they’re a great early-season crop to get in the ground.

You can often find tubers for planting at garden centres or order them online as seed tubers.

4. Where to Plant Jerusalem Artichokes

These tall, sun-loving plants prefer:

• Full sun — at least 6 hours a day
• Well-drained soil — but they’re not fussy and can grow in poor soils
• A dedicated space — as they spread over time
• Sheltered spots — to prevent tall stems from blowing over

They’re perfect for:

• Back of vegetable beds
• Along fences or sheds
• Creating privacy or windbreaks
• Tough spots where little else will thrive

Avoid growing them too close to smaller crops — they can cast a lot of shade.

5. How to Prepare the Soil for Planting

Jerusalem artichokes aren’t demanding, but better soil means bigger harvests.

Preparation steps:

1. Clear the area of weeds, grass, and stones.
2. Loosen the soil to a depth of at least 30cm.
3. Mix in some garden compost or well-rotted manure if soil is particularly poor.
4. Avoid freshly manured soil — it can cause forked tubers.

They don’t need rich feeding, but a boost in early spring helps with tuber size.

6. Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Jerusalem Artichokes

1. Cut tubers into pieces with at least 2–3 buds or “eyes” (like seed potatoes).
2. Dig planting holes around 10–15cm deep.
3. Space tubers 30–40cm apart in rows 75–90cm apart.
4. Place each tuber with eyes facing upwards.
5. Cover with soil and water well.

Mark where you’ve planted them — they take a few weeks to emerge and can be easy to forget.

7. Growing and Caring for Jerusalem Artichokes

Once planted, they’re incredibly easy to grow.

Watering:

• Water regularly during dry spells, especially in early growth
• Once established, they tolerate drought well

Feeding:

• Add a light compost mulch in late spring
• A balanced organic fertiliser can be applied in early summer

Supporting plants:

• As they grow tall, you may need to stake or tie them to prevent wind damage
• Plant in blocks (rather than single rows) for better support

Weeding:

• Weed the area early in the season; the plants will soon shade out competition

8. Companion Planting and Crop Rotation Tips

Because Jerusalem artichokes grow tall and spread widely, choose companions carefully.

Good companions:

• Short, shade-tolerant crops like spinach or salad greens (early in the season)
• Low-maintenance herbs at the border of the patch

Avoid planting them with:

• Other tall crops that will compete for light
• Potatoes (which can suffer from similar pests and diseases)

Once planted, avoid moving them around each year — they’re best left in a permanent spot.

9. When and How to Harvest Jerusalem Artichokes

Jerusalem artichokes are ready to harvest from late autumn through winter, after the plant tops have died back — usually October to February.

Harvesting steps:

1. Cut down the dead stems in late autumn.
2. Dig gently with a fork to avoid damaging tubers.
3. Only harvest what you need — they store better in the ground.
4. Leave smaller tubers in the soil for next year’s crop.

You can dig them up gradually through the winter. Just mark the spot well so you can find them again!

10. How to Store and Use Jerusalem Artichokes

If not left in the ground, store tubers in:

• Paper bags or boxes of damp sand
• A cool, dark, and frost-free location

Use within a few weeks of harvesting. They’re best:

• Roasted with oil and herbs
• Sliced into soups and stews
• Mashed like potatoes
• Grated raw into salads

Their nutty flavour becomes sweeter after a light frost — many gardeners leave them in the soil for this reason.

11. Controlling Their Spread

Jerusalem artichokes are perennials and can become invasive if not managed.

To control them:

• Harvest thoroughly and remove small tubers
• Grow in containers or raised beds with barriers if needed
• Avoid composting tubers — they may regrow

If you want to limit spread, dig up and thin the patch each year after harvest.

12. Common Problems and Solutions

Problem: Plants falling over
Cause: Tall growth or wind
Solution: Stake, tie together, or grow in blocks

Problem: Small tubers
Cause: Poor soil or overcrowding
Solution: Improve soil, reduce plant spacing, harvest regularly

Problem: Invasive spread
Cause: Leftover tubers in soil
Solution: Dig carefully, remove unwanted shoots in spring

Problem: Aphids or mildew on foliage
Cause: Warm, damp weather
Solution: Cut back affected growth and improve airflow

In general, Jerusalem artichokes are pest-resistant and rarely suffer serious disease.

13. Can You Grow Jerusalem Artichokes in Containers?

Yes — but you’ll need large, deep containers (minimum 45–60cm deep and wide). Use free-draining compost, and ensure good watering throughout the growing season.

Expect smaller yields than in open soil, but container growing is a great way to control spread.

Conclusion: An Easy, Rewarding Crop for Every Garden

Planting Jerusalem artichokes is a simple way to grow your own delicious, nutritious root veg — even in tough conditions. With tall stems, beautiful flowers, and tasty underground rewards, they’re perfect for low-maintenance gardens and busy growers.

Whether you want a reliable perennial crop, a winter food source, or a striking privacy screen with edible benefits, Jerusalem artichokes are well worth a place in your plot.

Top 10 FAQs: Planting Jerusalem Artichokes

1. When should I plant Jerusalem artichokes?

Between February and April — as soon as the soil is workable.

2. How deep do I plant the tubers?

About 10–15cm deep, with 30–40cm spacing between each one.

3. Do they come back every year?

Yes — they’re a perennial crop. Leftover tubers will regrow the following spring.

4. Can I eat the tubers raw?

Yes — they can be grated raw into salads, though they’re most commonly cooked.

5. Do they need a lot of water?

Water well during dry spells and early growth, but they’re drought-tolerant once established.

6. Can I plant supermarket Jerusalem artichokes?

Yes — if they’re untreated and sprouting, you can plant them like seed tubers.

7. How do I stop them spreading too much?

Harvest all tubers at the end of the season, and consider growing in containers or beds with barriers.

8. Do they flower?

Yes — they produce small sunflower-like blooms in late summer.

9. Are they good for wildlife?

Yes — their flowers attract pollinators and their height provides shelter for insects and birds.

10. How long do they take to grow?

About 6–8 months — plant in spring and harvest in late autumn to winter.