Over the Garden Gate: Jerusalem artichoke hardy perennial
The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) is an herbaceous perennial in the sunflower family. Do not be confused as the plant has no direct association with Jerusalem. The artichoke portion of the name refers to the sunflower’s tuber tasting like an artichoke.
The Jerusalem artichoke was a go-to food for North American pilgrims, a new food in a "new Jerusalem." I had no idea the Jerusalem artichoke existed until I dug out a 12x12-foot square for a greenhouse. There was a pile of soil left over, so I purchased one dozen tubers to hold it together. Three years later the pile is still neatly intact, and the artichokes have reminded me every year they’re still here. At home be sure to check if they’re spreading. They’re a hardy perennial and tend to become weedy if they go unchecked.
Helianthus tuberosus is native to central North America. Native Americans cultivated them as a food source. Jerusalem artichokes prefer well-drained alkaline soil. The harvest won’t be as good if there is an overabundance of clay. They can tolerate poor soils, but you’re encouraged to use some liquid fertilizer high in nitrogen. You can harvest tubers right before they flower, but keep a few untouched stalks so they can bloom.
The bees love the yellow daisy-like flowers, and by allowing them to continue to grow, you will have more tubers to eat the following season. Yum! You could plant shade-loving veggies underneath them as Helianthus tuberosus can get up to 10 feet tall.
Plants grow from mid-spring until the frost comes in late fall. You can then cut the plants down to about 2 inches, but I leave a few stalks for the birds to perch. Artichokes can survive temperatures to -22 F.
Most people compare Jerusalem artichokes to water chestnuts in taste. They have a relatively high content of inulin considered to have many health benefits. However, be wary, as inulin is a form of starch not easily broken down and may cause intestinal gas. Eat in moderation! If you wait until early winter to harvest, they are sweeter. Like other root vegetables, they can be prepared in a variety of ways including roasting, frying, pureed in soups or raw in salads.
The Jerusalem artichoke is great for the native plant loving home gardener, or the sunflower enthusiast. You must be sure to make a mound, or a container bed for them so they don’t spread. They are easy to maintain, and pollinators love them.
Ryan Smith is a Master Gardener Apprentice with Penn State Extension, Beaver County.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Over the Garden Gate: Eating Jerusalem artichoke has many health benefits.
