Jerusalem artichokes

[grannymem]

In our small vegetable patch we have some enormous Jerusalem artichokes - a veritable forest! I know this is a common problem with them but I do love the artichokes (wonderful soups, additions to the Sunday roast etc.)

Can I cut some of the 8' - 10' stalks and if so, how much do I need to leave so the tubers (?) can continue growing underground?

Many thanks

[piskieinboots]

if the foliage has been cut down I can't see how they would continue to grow - but I do know that they keep in the ground for a long time, thereby harvesting when you need them.

A tip on leaving them in the garden - place the cut stems across the soil, this will help keep the frost at bay, so that when you wish to dig some up for Sunday roastie you will be able to dig without the need of a pneumatic drill to get through the frozen ground

[Jillyreeves]

My understanding, and I could be wrong as this is my first time growing them, is that you cut them down after the first frost to about a foot above the ground.

Im sure some one experienced will be along to advise shortly......

[Nicos]

We have chopped ours down as they die back to just above soil level- and then dig up as needed.( I find they go soft fairly quickly when dug up)

When the stem have died back completely , I've left them there to remind me exactly where to find them.
We've also completely cleared the area a couple of times- and the darned things still grow back in force the following year
I like Piskie's idea about covering them over..good one gal!

[grannymem]

Many thanks for your answers.

Here in Cornwall the first frosts sometimes take a long time coming and our growing season can carry on almost all year (real pain cutting grass!) so it would be great to get rid of some of the foliage before the arrival - or non arrival - of the frosts! What do you think?

[Nicos]

I'd leave it alone...back to Nature!!!....you'll soon have more than you can cope with!!!!

[Snadger]

Mine haven't, but apparently they flower in a mild climate? You can tell they are related to the sunflowers by there foliage.
I would think the longer you leave the foliage.........the better the crop will be?
Once they've died off or blown over (as some of mine have done), piskies idea of laying the tops on the soil surface to keep the frost off the tubers which are close to the surface, seems a good one!

[Jillyreeves]

Flower buds appeared on mine but I read somewhere to nip them off, so this is what I did.

[Snadger]

Flower buds appeared on mine but I read somewhere to nip them off, so this is what I did.

It would still be nice to leave just a few for decoration though............do you not think? (And curiosity value!)

[Florence Fennel]

I was advised (by Guru TS I think) to cut the JAs back by half. I've done this as they were being blown and buffeted by the winds. That was about a month ago and they're still growing green and strong. I haven't lifted any yet to see what's underneath - last year they were on the small side, so I'm hoping for a better crop this time. Nice thing is they haven't cost me anything as I've grown them from some of last years tubers. Oh and I also took advice and watered them this year!

[Snadger]

I was advised (by Guru TS I think) to cut the JAs back by half. I've done this as they were being blown and buffeted by the winds. That was about a month ago and they're still growing green and strong. I haven't lifted any yet to see what's underneath - last year they were on the small side, so I'm hoping for a better crop this time. Nice thing is they haven't cost me anything as I've grown them from some of last years tubers. Oh and I also took advice and watered them this year!

I think once you've got them you'll ALWAYS have em!

[Florence Fennel]

I think once you've got them you'll ALWAYS have em!

You're absolutely right of course Snadger - but they're well out of the way of everything else (well at the moment) and they've given me a good excuse for pinching more lawn for veg!

[Jillyreeves]

It would still be nice to leave just a few for decoration though............do you not think? (And curiosity value!)

I was tempted to leave a couple, but as it is my first time growing them I wanted to play by the book so to speak in the hope of getting a bumper crop.
Next year I will leave a couple to flower just out of curiosity

[Flummery]

Mine are about 10 ft high and still in full leaf and flower. I cut the stems back when the foliage dies off. That's a good tip about laying the cuts stems over the ground to keep off the frost. Thanks Piskie - I shall do that this year!

[piskieinboots]

mine are the same as yours Flums, I am also leaving them up there until they shows signs of having had enough.