How to grow Jerusalem Artichoke in Australia

Where to plant

Choose a sunny spot with moderately fertile soil that holds moisture but does not become waterlogged, as the tubers rot in wet ground. Jerusalem artichokes tolerate poor soil and part shade, but the crop is smaller. Fork in compost before planting.

The plants grow up to 3 m tall, so put them where they will not shade other crops, such as along the south side of the vegetable garden. Several rows make a useful summer windbreak. Plan a permanent spot, as it is very hard to remove every tuber.

• South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: plant tubers from April to August.
• Sydney and Perth: plant from March to September. In Perth it is drought tolerant and does well.
• Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart: plant tubers from August to October. The tops die back in autumn; dig the tubers after dieback, from about April to June. Tubers hold in the ground over winter.
• Canberra: plant tubers in September and October. Frost kills the tops in autumn; harvest from May to July after dieback.
• North Queensland and Darwin: our calendar marks these as unsuitable, as the tubers need a cool autumn to form and rot in warm, wet soil. Grow sweet potato, cassava or taro instead.

Choosing a variety

Jerusalem artichokes are grown from tubers, not seed. Fuseau has large, smooth tubers that are easy to peel. Dwarf Sunray is a short variety, about 1.2 to 1.5 m tall, which suits windy sites and pots. Plant firm, smooth tubers a little smaller than a hen's egg.

How to plant

1. Fork compost into the bed.
2. Plant tubers 10 to 15 cm deep and about 30 to 40 cm apart, in rows or a block. Leave at least 1 m between rows if you need to walk between them.
3. Large tubers can be cut into pieces, as long as each piece has at least one bud.
4. Water in well after planting.

Watering and feeding

Water regularly during dry spells in summer so the tubers swell. Lack of water gives smaller, more knobbly tubers that are fiddly to prepare. Plants in containers need regular watering all season.

Little feeding is needed. Mulch with compost in spring. Rich, high-nitrogen feeding grows tall stems rather than tubers.

Pruning and care through the year

• Stake or tie tall plants in exposed spots, or plant them in a block so they support each other.
• Cut the stems down once they turn brown in late autumn.
• Contain the patch. Dig every tuber you can find at harvest, and pull any shoots that come up outside the bed in spring.

Harvesting

Dig the tubers in late autumn and winter, after the tops have died down. Gardening Australia notes that in frosty areas they are said to taste sweeter after the first frost. Dig carefully with a fork from the outside of each clump, as the tubers spread. They keep best in the ground, so dig as you need them through winter.

Lifted tubers have thin skins and dry out quickly. Keep them in a bag in the fridge and use within a week or two. Replant a few of the best tubers, or leave some in the ground, for next year's crop.

Growing in pots

A pot is a good way to stop Jerusalem artichokes spreading. Use one at least 45 cm wide and deep for one or two tubers, planted 10 to 15 cm deep in quality potting mix. Compact varieties such as Dwarf Sunray suit pots best. Water regularly, and expect a smaller crop than in the ground.

Using it

Scrub the tubers well; peeling is optional. Roast them, make them into soup, or slice them thinly and eat them raw in salads, where they are crisp and nutty. Large helpings can cause wind in some people.