Jerusalem artichoke is a versatile vegetable that enriches the menu both raw and cooked. Cultivation in the garden is very easy, because the plant is hardy and has few requirements in terms of location and care.

How is Jerusalem artichoke planted?

Jerusalem artichoke is planted outdoors as a seedling or tuber. The tubers are dug up and planted at the desired location. Alternatively, a tuber remains in the ground and sprout again there.

In which location does Jerusalem artichoke thrive best?

Topinambur makes no great demands on the location. It grows in sunny and semi-shady places. If a rich flowering is desired, the plant needs a lot of sun.

Are there particularly suitable locations?

Jerusalem artichoke is an ideal privacy screen that looks very pretty with its yellow flowers. Therefore, the plant is often grown on fences. Planting is also ideal around the compost heap, because the tubers will find enough nutrients here.

What should the soil be like?

Jerusalem artichoke thrives best on well-loosened, nutrient-rich soil. The plant does not tolerate waterlogging.

What does good soil preparation look like?

  • Deeply loosen the soil
  • remove weeds
  • pick up stones
  • Enrich nutrient-poor soils with compost
  • Loosen compacted soils with sand
  • Possibly create a root barrier

Does Jerusalem artichoke have to be preferred?

If the Jerusalem artichoke is propagated by seed, it should be planted in the seed bed from March. From a height of ten centimeters, the plants are placed outdoors.

How is Jerusalem artichoke planted?

The tubers are placed up to 15 centimeters deep in the ground. The deeper they are, the more yield they bring.

What planting distance must be observed?

Jerusalem artichoke grows very quickly and densely. Therefore, keep a larger planting distance. There should be at least 40 centimeters between the plants. The same applies to the tubers, which are laid out at a distance of 40 by 40 centimetres.

When is the best planting time?

The beginning of spring is the best time for planting. Then the plants have enough time to develop plump tubers. In principle, however, the tubers can be laid out all year round.

What care does Jerusalem artichoke need?

The plant is extremely easy to care for. Weeds should be removed regularly in the spring. This is no longer necessary later, because the larger Jerusalem artichoke prevents weeds from emerging.

Is fertilizing necessary?

If the soil is nutrient-rich, fertilizer applications are superfluous. If the soil is poor in nutrients, it is sufficient to rake in some mature compost. Care should be taken with fertilizers rich in nitrogen. Too much nitrogen causes the tubers to rot.

How often is Jerusalem artichoke watered?

Jerusalem artichoke needs a lot of water, especially in midsummer, so that the tubers remain plump. Watering several times a day is advisable. Waterlogging must be avoided at all costs.

How is Jerusalem Artichoke propagated?

Since the seeds on the flowers do not ripen in our latitudes, seeds must be bought in specialist shops. It is easier to propagate via the tubers, which remain in the ground or are planted elsewhere.

When is Jerusalem Artichoke harvested?

The best harvest time is autumn. Early varieties are ready for harvest as early as August, late varieties in late autumn. However, Jerusalem artichoke can basically be harvested all year round, as long as the ground is frost-free. Harvesting should only be avoided when it is very dry in midsummer.

How is overspreading prevented?

When growing in the garden on fences, a root barrier is strongly recommended. Otherwise trouble with the neighbors is inevitable. Regular harvesting and removing the tubers is also helpful.

Is Jerusalem artichoke suitable for keeping in a bucket?

Jerusalem artichokes grow well in a taller pot. This will prevent the plants from spreading too much.

Does Jerusalem artichoke have to be cut?

In winter, the upper parts of the plant withdraw completely. Pruning is therefore only necessary in very small gardens when the plant has spread too much.

What plants does Jerusalem artichoke get along with?

Jerusalem artichoke is a heavy feeder that should not be kept with other heavy feeders. On the other hand, weak consumers such as beans fit well. However, it should be borne in mind that Jerusalem artichoke forms a lot of foliage and does not leave enough light for other plants.

What diseases threaten Jerusalem artichoke?

Powdery mildew occasionally spreads to the upper parts of the plant. This hardly damages the tubers. If necessary, the affected parts are cut off and discarded.

What pests to look out for?

Voles and moles love the tubers as much as humans do. The rodents should be driven away by appropriate measures. Attention: Moles are under nature protection! Snails like to attack the foliage. Regular collection can be helpful. However, snail feeding hardly harms the tubers.

tips and tricks

Jerusalem artichoke contains the polysaccharide inulin (not to be confused with insulin), which is also well tolerated as a sweetener in diabetics. The cultivation of the root vegetable is therefore particularly recommended when feeding diabetics.

Category:

Vegetable garden