jerusalem Artichokes

[carleen]

Im completely new to vegetable growing and have decided to stick to the vegetables we eat the most: potatoes, tomatoes, onions, beans etc. One thing I love are Jerusalem Artichokes, but have been unable to find seed or tubers for growing. Being limited on space, I have an old bin that Im going to try them in and want to know if organic shop bought ones will grow and if I need to chit them in the same way as potatoes. Also, should I use just plain compost or do they have specific requirements. Any help would be much appreciated.

Carleen

[Birdie Wife]

Hi carleen, and welcome to the Vine! There's a lot of new folk on here, it's great to see the Vine growing bigger every day.

As far as I know JAs don't have any special soil requirements and will grown in any reasonable soil. I haven't heard of anyone trying them in a bin before but theroretically they should be okay. No need to chit, just throw them in, you should get about four or five in a big bin. Make sure the bin is firmly anchored/well sheltered though, they grow very tall and this will make the bin rather top heavy. Organic shop-bought tubers should be fine, choose nice fat healthy looking ones (I got seed tubers from a garden centre last year and they were dismal, so maybe I might do the same as you this year!). Good luck, tell us how you get on!

[carlseawolf]

as far as i know jerusalem artichokes will grow in any soil and also don't mind shade .
J.A should be avalable through most plant or seed suppliers if not try greengrocers or your local supermarket ( i know tesco had some lately) and good luck ,
i 'll be trying some myself this year and it will be in ground thats just dug up and put in the tubbers , no special treatment .
a bin will be great as long as it has drain holes in it !

[tricia]

I have three tubers from a seed swap that I'm going to plant in a tub against the garden wall as they are known to be very invasive. I've been told just to plant them a couple of inches deep in normal garden soil. Let's keep an update going to see how we fare, shall we?

Tricia

[carleen]

That's brilliant - I was thinking of half burying the bin in the ground to anchor it, as I had been told they can grow to 6+ feet. I'll let you know later in the year how well they crop. Thanks again - Carleen

[Birdie Wife]

If you're going to bury the bin, why not just plant the tubers in the ground you were going to bury the bin in?

[carleen]

Its the first year I've grown Vegetables and I've only cleared part of the plot for planting. I want to extend the plot next year and I've been told that Artichokes prefer a permanent site and crop better in successive years. Also from what I've read, they can be quite invasive. As I dont really know where to put them on the plot yet, the bin seemed a good starting point.

[Birdie Wife]

I see! Good planning . You're way more organised than me!

[carleen]

:P Im not sure about that.....I feel like Im fumbling my way through without really knowing what Im doing. When it comes to what to plant where, when and why Im well out of my depth and reading the threads on crop rotation etc Im even more confused. If anything grows it will be a miracle!

[Birdie Wife]

Don't worry, even when you think you have all the answers and everything is planned right down to the last seed, nature will come back and bite you on the bum (so to speak!). If you can vaguely order the chaos and work with it, I reckon you're doing okay! Unexpected successes and failures are all part and parcel, in my view, and it's all part of the fun!

[madderbat]

Hi Carleen, welcome to the Vine.
Now, take a deep breath, and release it gently. Keep breathing and remember that the universe functions, whether we help it or not.
Relax about gardening and you will find that things grow whether we help them or not, and quite often too much worrying can inhibit growth (in humans as well as plants).

Seriously, please remember, you ARE here to enjoy yourself, so don't stress too much.

[carleen]

thanks guys,
Im sure you right, and as long as I can suppress the 3yr old in me, by resisting the urge to dig up anything growing just to see whats happening (at the moment my garlic, which looks to be growing well,) I will hopefully have something edible to eat.

[*Feather*]

My allotment neighbour has been growing JAs for years in tyres and she gets tons of them every year. I'll be trying them for the first time this year. I can't wait to get them going!

[Snadger]

Just planted eleven tubers tonight in individual 8" pots. They won't be stopping in there, it's just I haven't decided where I'm putting them yet!

They were starting to soften so I thought I had better get them in, pink end uppermost? The ground was still frozen so I filled the pots with well rotted cow muck and planted one per pot. I've stood them in the greenhouse for now and will hopefully have an area ready for them by the time they've sprouted!

Never grown (or eaten!) them before so I'll just have to learn as I go along!!

[Two_Sheds]

I got some Jerusalem Chokes off eBay...they're starting to grow already.