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Jerusalem Artichokes

GlockenblumeGlockenblume Posts: 10
edited April 2018 in Fruit & veg
Having enjoyed Jerusalem artichokes (topinambur) as part of a stir-fry ( they taste similar to water chestnuts) I have decided to grow my own.
I will grow some in containers as they are renowned for spreading and even the tiniest bit of tuber left in the ground will start a new plant.
Having said that, as they grow tall, I may also plant some up against a fence behind a vegetable bed to hide the fence with a pretty flowering plant. (I shall put in a barrier to prevent spread into the veg, bed)
My question is: here where I live the ground freezes for about 3/4 months over winter, so will any tubers left in the ground survive it and sprout again the following year?
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  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    It depends on how deep into the ground the soil freezes.  They are usually planted about 6" (15cm) deep and tubers form from about a foot deep (30cm) upwards.  They are tough plants and survive in most parts of the UK but rarely flower here.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    If they're not going to flower anyway I think you can reduce the top growth quite substantially if they start getting too tall and unwieldy.
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
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  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933

    I   was given a few about 10 years ago, have never done much more than lift some when I needed them. I cut them down to half height when they reach 8-9 ft. The flowers are ridiculously small yellow daisy like heads They had increased so much that last year I gave a black bin liner full to a local pub to use in their garden or restaurant. Cream of Jerusalem  Artichoke soup is wonderful. Remember the old gardeners name for this particular vegetable." " F****chokes". That tells you the effect they have on ones digestive system!

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I once made some Jerusalem Artichoke soup for friends who were visiting for supper ... their baby was born early the next morning!  They blame the effect of the 'F****chokes'.

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I grew these for several years in my Belgian garden but they were eventually killed off by a severe winter with-25C at night for 3 weeks and not much better by day despite sunshine.  A beast from the east year.

    I have recently planted some in this new garden.  They have yet to show but I had kept them indoors to start growing shoots and roots, like chitting potatoes, as it was so cold outside for here anywhere. 

    We like them as Palestine soup, roasted and done gratin dauphinoise style.   Served those once to NZ friends who don't eat enough fibre and they had such severe wind afterwards spent the entire sleepless night thinking I'd poisoned them  
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I must say Obelixx, I really enjoy them, and I've never suffered from their renowned 'ill effects' ... perhaps my digestion is used to them. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Lots of veggies and pulses in our diet Dove so we're OK too but, just to be safe, I now avoid them for social dinners and before social events.   

    Yvie - hugs here too.

    I have finished my sowing for today - Little Gem, rocket and radicchio  - so am about to look at my fabric hoard for a sewing project.  OH has a golf dinner this evening and I don't fancy the menu so will stay here and do some cutting out in peace.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    I think it may be either a genetic thing, depend on which bacteria you have in your digestive system, or both.  They contain inulin which passes through our bodies undigested but can be broken down by certain gut bacteria.  I suppose some inulin eating bacteria release gas and others don't, or those with no inulin-loving bacteria pass it through completely undigested.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    We used to eat so many of them with no ill effects that I was totally unaware of their reputation, or I'd never have given them to a 9 month pregnant woman  :o  .... still, all was well in the end   :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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