Jeruselem Artichokes

[Pete Collyer]

I live in Poland and cannot get JA tubers here. None of the UK seed merchants will supply me over here. I managed to get some on a recent trip to the UK. Any advice on how to store them so I can plant them out at the right time next year.

[lesleygl]

HI Pete

I planted mine when I bought them in the spring last year and got a good crop this year (about now, just dug them up). BUT my book said, and I saw it on television you can leave some in the ground for the following year so this is what I have done. So next years corp is already sown, not sure what will happen but I think it will work OK.

Now, can you give me some good recipes as not sure if I like tham very much?!

[jacob]

They store really poorly -- I would put them in now, about 20cm deep.

You will then have JAs for life. I need to reduce the size of my patch next year, more JAs than we could eat.

[Shadylane]

If you can't get them in yet put them in a bag/box of compost quick. They go soft after only a few days if left out in the air.

[Jono]

Can't offer any planting or storing advice, but the roots grow massive. I broke a spade and a fork trying to dig one of mine up this year!

[gojiberry]

I doubt if you broke a fork on a JA Jono but you may well have on a Globe Artichoke. I gave up growing globes and it took me two days to dig the roots out. My JA's were a mass of roots this year but they still didn't take much effort to dig out. They don't store but can be planted whenever you get them.

Ian

[Mell]

I store some of mine in the seed fridge each winter & they grow & produce evey year. I grow in bags because most folk I know say they take over in the ground as you always miss a couple so I'm sure that works too

[lesleygl]

Any good recipes, cos I am not sure if I like them very much and don't want to waste the produce. I have tried soup but am not sure.........

[Nicos]

I'd plant them out now too...I stick mine in at a spades depth.

If your ground is frozen then pour on some boiling water to help loosen it.
The soil will keep them moist and cool enough. They dry out very quickly otherwise.
I have planted out fairly rubbery ones and they have still survived- but they are really better in the ground now.
Once in the ground, they're pretty indestructible