Home >> Home & Garden >> Planting Jerusalem Artichokes

Planting Jerusalem Artichokes

The Jerusalem artichoke, a large, potato-shaped tuber, is characterized by its sweet nut-

like flavor. Contrary to popular notion, itneither tastes nor looks like the green or globeartichoke, and is not even related to it bo-tanically.

Jerusalem is actually a corruption of theItalian girasole, meaning "turning to the sun,"and this artichoke is really a prolific memberof the Sunflower family.

Culture: Jerusalem artichokes grow inalmost any type of soil that gets a little sun-shine, including sandy soil. They are free fromdisease, highly productive and completely frost-hardy, but spread very rapidly, and unless cul-tivated with some care, will become trouble-some as weeds. For this reason, it is best togive them an out-of-the-way planting a rea-sonable distance from other vegetables orflowers. To check spreading, dig roots in latefall or early spring and thoroughly removethem.

Planting artichoke tubers is very much likeplanting potatoes, and is done from cut pieceseach having a seed or "eye." Unlike potatoes,this frostproof vegetable can be set out in thefall as well as early spring. A good locationmay be along the garden edge where the six-to eight-foot-tall artichokes won't overshadowother plants. They are also useful where theirscreening effect and large, colorful blooms willimprove the landscape. (Some grow to heightsof a modest 12 feet or so!)

In two rows, plant one medium piece perhill, a foot apart, in two- or three-foot rows.In beds, set tubers four by four feet apart. Asindicated, plants multiply quickly and soonchoke out any venturesome weeds. Mulchingis a good idea in row plantings, and compostapplications maintain desirable fertility—al-though soil and climate extremes won't stopthis persistent plant.

With the arrival of spring, tubers left inthe ground should be dug either for eating orreplanting. If an increased supply is wanted,some may simply be left to multiply.

Native to the Americas, Jerusalem artichoke iscultivated for its fleshy tubers which are fine, nutri-tious and low-starch substitutes for potatoes.

A 25-foot row will supply the averagefamily for one year.

Nutritional Value: The artichoke is 100percent starchless. It stores its carbohydrates inthe form of inulin rather than starch, and itssugar as levulose the way most healthful fruitsand honey do. It has practically no caloricvalue. Because of these facts, medical authori-ties strongly recommend it as a substitute forother carbohydrates on the diabetic's menu,and in the diet of all who should or must re-strict their starch and caloric intake.

The Jerusalem artichoke offers a goodsource of some minerals and vitamins (par-ticularly potassium and thiamine)—a result ofits being a plant-world union of tuber roots andluxuriant sunflower growth.

Other Gardening Articles:

| Cow Raising | Duck Raising | Geese Raising | Goat Raising | Guinea Fowl Raising | How to Build a Rooftop Garden | How to Make a Greenhouse | How to Make a Rock Garden | Hydroponic Gardening | Bees | Mushroom Growing | Ornamental Grass | Pigeon Raising | Pig Raising | Planting a Coconut | Planting a Lime Tree | Planting Aloe Seeds | Planting Apple Trees | Planting Apricot | Planting Artichokes | Planting Asparagus | Planting Avocado Trees | Planting Bamboo | Planting Banana Trees | Planting Beans | Planting Blackberries | Planting Blueberries | Planting Bonsai Trees | Planting Broccoli | Planting Brussel Sprouts | Planting Cabbage | Planting Cactus | Planting Carrots | Planting Cauliflowers | Planting Celery | Planting Cherry Trees | Planting Chestnut | Planting Chrysanthemum Seeds | Planting Clematis | Planting Corn | Planting Cranberries | Planting Cucumbers | Planting Currants | Planting Dates | Planting Eggplants | Planting Elder Berries | Planting Endives | Planting Fig Trees | Planting Ginger | Planting Ginseng • Planting Goose Berries | Planting Gourds | Planting Grapes | Planting Grass Seeds | Planting Hickory Nut Trees | Planting Hyacinth | Planting Hydrangea | Planting Jerusalem Artichokes | Planting Lemon Trees | Planting Mango Seeds | Planting Mustard | Planting Nectarine | Planting Okra | Planting Olives | Planting Onions | Planting Orange Trees | Planting Orchids | Papaya Planting | Planting Paprika | Planting Parsleys | Planting Parsnips | Planting Peach Trees | Planting Peanuts | Planting Pear Trees | Planting Peas | Planting Pineapples | Planting Pomegranate Trees | Planting Raspberries | Planting Rhubarbs | Planting Spinach | Planting Strawberries | Planting Sunflower Seeds | Planting Sweet Potatoes | Planting Tomatoes | Planting Tulips | Planting Yams | Planting Yuccas | Raising Turkey Chicks | Root Pruning | Rat Control | Raising Sheep | Tips on Growing Melons | Tree Grafting | Beekeeping | Bird Watching | Build Your Own Water Garden | Chicken Raising