Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)
Vegetable · cool season · also called sunroot, earth apple
When to plant
- Set out tubers about 2 weeks before your average last spring frost.
Dig after frost. Very invasive; any tuber left behind resprouts.
Frost dates depend on where you live. Enter your ZIP code to get exact dates.
Dates by zone: 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b
Growing basics
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ hours)
- Spacing
- 12–18 in
- Soil temperature
- At least 45°F
- Containers
- At least 10 gallons
- Plant family
- Lettuce and daisy family
- Harvest per plant
- About 4 lb
Companions
Keep apart: most garden plants. Sunchokes spread aggressively and shade neighbors.
Keep apart: Mint. Mint spreads aggressively into neighbors. Keep it in a pot.
Keep apart: Fennel (bulb). Fennel slows the growth of most garden plants. Grow it on its own.
Grow it well
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke) seeds on Amazon (opens a new tab)Soaker hose on Amazon (opens a new tab)
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