Planting Sunchokes – The Edible Sunflower Survival Crop
Planting sunchokes is an excellent way to add edible beauty to your garden this year.
What Are Sunchokes?
Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem Artichokes, are an excellent survival crop to add to your garden. They are beautiful sunflowers that add a pop of color while growing from edible tubers. The tubers are similar to potatoes and can be cut up in salads, cooked, or fermented. Sunchokes are filled with good prebiotics for gut health.
Where To Plant Sunchokes
Sunchokes can be invasive and can take over your garden quickly. Make sure to plant sunchokes away from other plants that you don’t want choked out and in a spot where they can get plenty of sun. The tubers will spread aggressively, making for an abundant fall harvest.
When To Plant Sunchokes
Plant your sunchokes in the spring once the ground is thawed or in the fall before the first freeze.
When To Harvest Sunchoke Tubers
Harvest sunchoke tubers in the late fall or winter after the first frost.
Where To Get Sunchoke Tubers
I found a nice gentleman on Facebook Marketplace who had an abundance of sunchokes that were taking over other areas of his garden. He offered to let me come dig up a big bucket of his sunchoke tubers for free. Check your area for other gardeners who have sunchokes. Many people will allow you to dig up some of their tubers for free if they have too many.
How To Plant Sunchokes
1. Start by digging a hole 5 inches deep.
2. Place the sunchoke tuber in the hole and cover with dirt.
3. Plant sunchoke tubers 12 inches apart.
4. Sunchokes are drought tolerant, but to give them the best start water your sunchoke patch with 1-2 inches of water per week.
How To Harvest Sunchokes
Simply dig up the tubers with a shovel after the first frost to harvest your sunchokes. Tubers will keep in a bag in the refrigerator for weeks, or store in a cool, dry, dark place.
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Do you keep sunchokes in your garden? What are your favorite tips, tricks, and recipes? Let me know in the comments below!
