Jerusalem artichoke or earthen pear gained popularity in the USSR several decades ago due to its medicinal properties. This widespread plant is a relative of the sunflower. Although Jerusalem artichoke boasts attractive yellow flowers borne on 10-foot stems, it is primarily grown for its underground tubers, which can be cooked or eaten raw. This perennial plant needs a lot of space for normal growth. Ideal when planted to hold back wind or snow.
Jerusalem artichoke, often called earthen pear, is a root vegetable that is eaten and cooked in the same way as potatoes.
Because Jerusalem artichoke has less starch, many people who are trying to reduce their carbohydrate intake choose it over potatoes.
Jerusalem artichoke is very easy to grow. Many may consider it too easy to grow.
A common comment from gardeners growing this veggie food is that you only have to plant it once and you'll have it forever, no matter how hard you try to get rid of it!
Jerusalem artichoke will provide a high yield and tall yellow flowers without much effort
Conditions for growing earthen pear
Jerusalem artichoke will grow well anywhere. You can grow them in any climate, in full sun to partial shade. Perennial plant in all zones.
Jerusalem artichoke is not picky about the soil; it will even yield crops quite reliably on clay soils.
They grow best in loose, fertile soil. Since Jerusalem artichokes are perennial, you need to give them their place in the garden.
It grows tall, so be sure to plant them in an area where they won't shade the rest of your crops. The north side of the beds would be ideal.
The difference between growing in the country and at home
Jerusalem artichoke can be grown at home from seeds or eyes . But the plant is then necessarily planted in a summer cottage. The seed planting method is very complex. It is used mainly by experienced breeders, as this requires certain skills.
At home, Jerusalem artichokes are planted in shallow containers. Caring for planted material is the same for both planting in open ground and for planting at home.
Read more about the rules of growing and planting here.
Growing Jerusalem artichoke plant
There is not much work involved in growing Jerusalem artichoke. Keep the bed in shape early in the season when the plants are small.
Mulch up to 60 centimeters of organic matter. Babysitting the soil less (digging less, watering less, and fertilizing less) will help keep it under control. By using these methods they can be less aggressive to the ground.
General information
Jerusalem artichoke is a perennial plant belonging to the Sunflower genus of the Asteraceae family. This tuberous vegetable is native to North America, where it still grows wild. Jerusalem artichoke came to Europe at the very beginning of the 17th century, and to Russia - also in the 17th century - in two ways - from Europe and China, and was first used as a medicinal and ornamental plant.
Jerusalem artichoke is a plant in the agricultural sense that is simply unique: it is very unpretentious, can grow on almost any soil and in any climate, can withstand heat and cold, remain in one place without replanting for decades, and at the same time produce excellent yields from year to year. That is why it is grown in almost all countries of the world.
The earthen pear is valuable not only for its nutritious and vitamin-rich tubers, but also for its green mass, which is used to feed livestock. Jerusalem artichoke is also used as a decorative, reclamation and backstage crop. And this is not surprising, because this strong, tall plant with powerful roots can grow up to 4 m in height. It has 1 straight strong stem, branching in the upper part. The rough leaves are similar to sunflower leaves and have a similar smell. Yellow baskets with Jerusalem artichoke flowers are also similar to sunflower inflorescences, but they are much smaller (2-10 cm in diameter) and are not single, but numerous. The plant blooms in the European part of the Russian Federation in August – October. Jerusalem artichoke is a good honey plant, and at the end of summer it is the latest source of nectar for bees.
The earthen pear reproduces by seeds, but most often by tubers. Jerusalem artichoke seeds are rarely produced, since due to the late flowering of the plant, they can ripen only in a warm and long autumn. Therefore, the vegetable is propagated in private and farm households using tubers.
Jerusalem artichoke tubers are located on stolons formed on the underground part of the stem. This is an oval, spindle-shaped, pear-shaped or oblong formation with convex buds-eyes, weighing from 10-15 to 100-150 g. Their skin is thin, fragile, and does not protect the tubers very well from damage, drying out or rotting. Its color is a varietal characteristic; it can be white, red, yellow, purple and pink. The chemical composition of Jerusalem artichoke is very similar to potatoes; its nutritional value is inferior to it, but still superior to many vegetables. It does not contain starch, but contains a lot of complete and easily digestible protein, minerals (zinc, iron, potassium, sodium, silicon), sugars, including inulin, vitamins C, B1, B2, B6 and PP. The concentration of sugars in Jerusalem artichoke tubers increases as they ripen and increases even more during storage or in those that were dug up in the spring after freezing in the soil.
Jerusalem artichoke harvest
Dig the Jerusalem artichokes, preferably with a fork, so you don't cut the tubers when you try to collect them. You can harvest them at any time, but Jerusalem artichokes are much sweeter and tastier after frost. You can dig them any time as long as your ground is not frozen. To prolong harvest, add a thick (50 cm) layer of mulch after the first frost. This will prevent the soil from freezing and you will have a few more weeks to harvest your earthen pears.
Ideal conditions for Jerusalem artichoke
This plant is commonly known as ground pear. Some people know it as Jerusalem artichoke. However, few people know that this is a sunflower, only a tuberous one. Moreover, there are hybrids of Jerusalem artichoke and sunflower, which have a large characteristic inflorescence with yellow petals at the top of the stem, although its diameter does not exceed 6-7 centimeters.
Ground pear
But hybrids, despite their highest productivity, have certain disadvantages, so it is better to grow the original form, that is, the earthen pear itself. Regardless of the latitude of your region, you should choose a sunny, open place for planting. You can sit next to the fence, this will provide a few extra degrees of heating in the middle or cold zone. It should be remembered that Jerusalem artichoke can grow from unharvested tubers, like a weed, throwing out several shoots at once from one root thickening. Therefore, it is recommended that the plot in which you are planning to plant this plant be limited by a border immersed in the ground by 0.4-0.5 meters.
In the southern regions, experts recommend planting Jerusalem artichokes in the fall, and in the north - in the spring. However, one should take into account the fact that early spring frosts in the middle zone can greatly shorten the growing season. Therefore, experienced gardeners still prefer to plant before winter, so that seedlings begin earlier in the spring. This option does not exclude rooting at the beginning of the warm period. At the same time, it is very important to properly prepare the soil, which we will talk about later.
Recommended varieties of Jerusalem artichoke
There are several varieties of Jerusalem artichoke. You can try a few different types to see which ones you prefer. Common types include:
- French Mammoth White producing good sized nodules
- Sugar bowl that produces small white tubers and are great for frying
- Fuseau, which produces large, smooth tubers that have a somewhat smoky flavor
The content of the article
Popular varieties
There are more than 300 cultivated varieties of earthen pear in the world. The following varieties of Jerusalem artichoke are suitable for home cultivation and cultivation on farms in Russia:
- Interest. Included in the State Register in 1986. The tubers are white, smooth, with medium-sized eyes. The productivity of tubers and green mass is 2.6-3.8 and 4.3-5.6 kg per 1 m2, respectively. The variety is late-ripening; in the central zone the tubers do not have time to ripen; in the south they ripen in November.
- Omsk white. Modern mid-season (vegetation period 130 days) variety, in the State Register since 2014. Bush height - 1.9-2.3 m. Tubers of medium size, white, spherical in shape, ripen together. Average weight – 52 g. Productivity – 4.3 kg per 1 m2, number of tubers per bush – 23 pcs.
- Pasko. The variety has been on the State Register since 2010. Late-ripening, growing season 178-190 days. Bush 0.9-1.5 m in height. The tubers are oval-shaped, white in color, average weight 50-80 g. Productivity - tubers 3 kg, green mass - 3.4 kg per 1 m2.
- Skorospelka. It has been in the State Register since 1965. It is an early ripening variety (vegetation period is 120 days), the harvest can be dug up at the end of September, which means it can be cultivated in the central zone of the Russian Federation. Suitable for mechanized harvesting. Productivity – for tubers 2.5-3 kg per m2, for greens – 3-3.5 kg.
- Solar. In the State Register since 2010. Vegetation period is 157-172 days. The bush is 2-3 m tall, the tubers are oval-elongated, white in color, weighing 40-60 g. Direction of use - mainly tuberous. Productivity – 4 kg, greens – 3.1 kg per 1 m2.
If desired, you can choose other varieties of crops, of which there are quite a few.
Planting and growing Jerusalem artichoke
Briefly about the technology of growing Jerusalem artichoke. At first glance, it is quite simple and similar to the technology of growing potatoes and, at the same time, has a number of specific features. Row spacing is 70 centimeters, the distance between plants in a row is 40 centimeters, approximately 35 thousand plants are planted on one hectare. Due to the fact that the plant is perennial and is used in industrial plantings for 4-5 years, the main costs are incurred in the first year when planting a plantation. Therefore, it is advisable, before preparing the soil (ploughing), to apply 50-100 tons of manure per 1 hectare, or complex fertilizers (NPK) at the rate of 60-90 kg of active substance per 1 hectare. Subsequently, it is recommended to annually apply 100-200 kg (in physical weight) of ammonium nitrate at the beginning of the growing season. This will help increase the yield of the crop.
Planting is carried out with a two-row potato planter BOMET (Poland). Planting dates depend on the ripeness of the soil and weather conditions. Usually this is the last ten days of March - early April. The principle is the sooner the better. The Interest variety has a long growing season - 180-200 days. One of the biological features of Jerusalem artichoke is that it begins to germinate at soil temperatures above +5 °C, that is, in early spring. At this time it is impossible to enter the field, but the Jerusalem artichoke is already growing. Therefore, to obtain maximum yield, it is preferable to plant in winter. Planting can be performed with the formation of ridges directly during the operation or without ridges. The absence of ridges will allow pre-emergence and post-emergence harrowing to control weeds.
When planting in ridges, depending on the presence of weeds, you have to perform 1-2 hillings. Here it is important to perform this operation in a timely manner, which will give the plants a successful start, and then, if there are already 5-6 pairs of real leaves, the rows close and the Jerusalem artichoke is not afraid of weeds. Cultivation (hilling up) can be carried out with a row-crop cultivator KRN-5.6 with three hillers in the middle of the frame, since sowing is carried out with a two-row planter. It is possible to use a lightweight two-row hiller made in Poland. This basically completes the care work. The next stage is harvesting.
Harvesting and storing Jerusalem artichoke
It’s not enough to know how to grow Jerusalem artichoke. In the fall, when preparing to dig up tubers, you need to imagine how best to preserve them.
From the emergence of seedlings to the readiness of the tubers for harvesting, about 120 days pass. A month before digging, you can stop feeding, and after another two weeks, the plant stems are cut off, leaving cuttings about 30 cm long above the soil level. Over the remaining days, the tubers will be able to replenish their nutrient reserves and form a dense skin for long-term storage. If you dig up young tubers, they will not be able to survive the winter even in ideal conditions; they will rot or dry out.
When growing Jerusalem artichoke in Russia, it became clear that the crop is extremely frost-resistant. Green sprouts can withstand slight sub-zero temperatures during frosts, and mature tubers can successfully overwinter in beds at temperatures down to –40 °C. True, for this the ridges need to be reliably covered with snow. But even with such unique properties, autumn digging is necessary.
Tubers used for food and for planting in the spring are stored in basements, along with potatoes. A small amount of Jerusalem artichoke can be stored in the refrigerator or vegetable compartment for up to several months.
However, part of the harvest can be left in the ground so that in the spring you can dig up tubers that have fully retained all their beneficial properties. There is no need to hesitate here. At the first sign of warmth, the buds on the tubers wake up and begin to grow. When extracting a crop from the ground, it is important to remove even the smallest nodules, otherwise the Jerusalem artichoke plant will turn into a bothersome weed.
Cleaning Jerusalem artichoke
Since Jerusalem artichoke is a multifaceted crop, we can literally use both the tops and roots. It is possible to harvest Jerusalem artichoke into green mass for feeding to animals or ensiling. In our conditions, it can be harvested for livestock feed at the end of July - beginning of August, for a greater yield of green mass, when the plants grow to one meter or more. Harvesting green mass can be done using silage combines. We harvest tubers either in the fall, at the end of October - beginning of November, if weather conditions permit, or in the spring. During a long spring harvest, a situation is possible (and we encounter this almost every year) when the tubers being dug up have 1-2 sprouts, which will interfere with planting with a potato planter. Therefore, the sprouts break off when the tubers are collected, and further development occurs due to dormant buds.
In any case, before harvesting, the dry stems are mowed with a KIR-1.5 mower with a minimally low cut and the crushed mass is scattered across the field. It is considered optimal to mow the stems in winter on frozen ground in order to minimize compaction of row spacing. We carry out harvesting with a single-row mounted potato digger made in Poland. It is preferable to harvest Jerusalem artichokes with a single-row L-651 potato digger made in the Republic of Belarus, since, unlike the Polish one, it has two consecutive rod conveyors with a total length of about two meters. This allows for better separation of the tubers from the soil. Tuber collection and packaging is done manually.
Upon completion of harvesting, we disk the planted area with a BDN-3 light harrow or an LGD-5 harrow in one track to a depth of 10-15 cm, then cut the ridges with a hiller to define the rows.
It is almost impossible to select all the tubers from the soil. The number of tubers remaining in the soil exceeds the sowing norm, especially many small ones. Therefore, immediately when the first shoots appear, we carry out several inter-row treatments - hilling, during which weeds and extra plants in the row are destroyed. In the future, care is the same as in the first year of planting. A unique feature of Jerusalem artichoke is the ability to significantly increase the yield when provided with optimal conditions - nutrition, moisture, temperature. The yield from one bush ranges from 0.5 to 2 kilograms, the yield from 1 hectare - from 20 to 70 tons. In 1981, at an experimental site in Azerbaijan, a yield of Jerusalem artichoke of the Interest variety was obtained at a rate of 101 tons per hectare.
How to grow Jerusalem artichoke?
Knowing about the hardiness and ability of Jerusalem artichoke to grow even on roadsides and wastelands, many summer residents make a serious mistake by letting this crop take its course. Having planted the tubers in the ground, they approach the plants a second time only in the fall, when it is time to dig up the crop. What a surprise it is when, under powerful bushes, only a few highly branched, medium-sized tubers are found.
No matter how modest Jerusalem artichoke is in its requests, when growing, it still cannot be done without the simplest care. How to provide care for Jerusalem artichoke when growing crops in the country?
Before emergence it is important:
- to prevent the appearance of a dense moisture- and air-tight crust on the soil surface, so the soil is carefully loosened, focusing on the ridges of the rows left after embedding;
- carry out weeding and remove all weeds.
When growing Jerusalem artichoke, these activities are carried out regularly and after the appearance of young plants.
From the moment of planting and almost until harvesting, large Jerusalem artichoke bushes need abundant watering and fertilizing at least once a month.
Storing Jerusalem artichoke tubers
The best way to store tubers is in soil during the winter. Unlike potatoes, Jerusalem artichoke has a thin, delicate skin, which is inevitably damaged during harvesting. Therefore, after digging it can be stored for no more than two months at a temperature no higher than +5 degrees.
But on the other hand, tubers are preserved remarkably well in the ground, and those that have overwintered become even tastier, and after thawing they completely retain all nutritional and taste qualities, as well as growth properties.
The yield of tubers harvested in the spring is 10-15 percent higher than those collected in the fall. Another feature of Jerusalem artichoke is that the plant’s vegetation continues through the stems until they dry completely, and then through the sap of the stolons. Jerusalem artichoke grows in one place for 4-5 years, that is, there is no need to plant it in subsequent years - just cultivate and harvest it.
Pests and diseases of Jerusalem artichoke
Jerusalem artichoke diseases
With almost absolute resistance to disease, Jerusalem artichoke can sometimes be affected by white rot, Alternaria blight or powdery mildew.
White rot, or sclerotinia, forms a moldy felt coating on the stems of the plant, causing them to become sick and eventually become covered from the inside with black growths. Infection occurs through the soil. Temperature changes with high air humidity contribute to the development of the disease. Sick plants should be immediately removed from the site and burned.
Alternaria blight is a widespread disease that affects all above-ground parts of the plant. It can be diagnosed by dark brown or lighter spots with a yellowish border on the leaves. As the disease progresses, the spots grow between the veins of the leaf blade, and the petioles dry out along with the leaves. The most effective method of combating the disease is to treat plants with fungicides at temperatures above 18 ºC. Sometimes one session is enough, but it is better to carry out two sprayings with an interval of 10-12 days.
- Use of mustard against pests
Powdery mildew appears on Jerusalem artichoke in the second half of the growing season as a loose white coating on the upper side of the leaves. Over time, the plaque becomes pinkish or turns brown, and the affected leaves become brittle and brittle. Hot weather with sharp fluctuations in humidity and air temperature, as well as excess nitrogen, contributes to the development of the disease. Good results are obtained by treating the leaves of Jerusalem artichoke with fungicides - preparations such as Topaz, Bayleton, Quadris, Skor, Tilt, Zato, Topsin and the like.
Jerusalem artichoke pests
Jerusalem artichokes are damaged by slugs, mole crickets living in the soil, as well as the larvae of some insects. To protect plants from slugs, special anti-slug granules are laid out around the site. If you know that there are pests on the site such as cutworms, chafers or mole crickets, before planting the Jerusalem artichoke in the ground for digging, add Diazonon or Foxim.
Answers to the question: Jerusalem artichoke planting, growing and storing
When should I plant Jerusalem artichokes?
Jerusalem artichoke begins not with seeds, but with tubers. Buy them in March and April from a garden center or supplier. Plant in well-prepared soil, plant 10-15cm deep with tubers spaced 30cm apart. How long does it take to grow Jerusalem artichoke?
Planting Jerusalem artichoke is very similar to planting potatoes. Small tubers or pieces of tubers with two or three buds are planted in early spring, as soon as the ground can be cultivated. The planting should be well watered. The tubers will germinate in two to three weeks.
Can you plant Jerusalem artichokes in the fall?
Jerusalem artichokes can be planted in the fall or spring six to eight weeks before your last frost date. … Make sure every tuber you plant has at least one “eye.”
Does Jerusalem artichoke cause gas in the stomach?
Digestion is accompanied by the formation of hydrogen, carbon dioxide and other gaseous products. This leads to an undesirable side effect of eating Jerusalem artichoke and other foods rich in inulin: flatulence. The effect of Jerusalem artichoke on the formation of gases has been known for many years.
How many tubers does Jerusalem artichoke produce?
Like potatoes, the perennial plant Jerusalem artichoke grows by roots. Water 1 to 3 times a week, depending on the weather. Extremely hot summers can cause artichoke buds to open into flowers quickly. One tuber can yield up to several kilograms of earthen pear.
How do you know when Jerusalem artichoke can be harvested?
Jerusalem artichokes are usually ready for harvest when the leaves fall. If you have patience, you can wait until the first frost. In my experience, the best harvest season is late September to mid-November.
Is Jerusalem artichoke good for diabetics?
Ground pear tubers have been used in the diet since ancient times to lower blood sugar levels. People with diabetes may find that regularly consuming Jerusalem artichoke can help them maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Is it easy to grow Jerusalem artichoke?
Because Jerusalem artichokes are less starchy, many people who are trying to reduce their carb intake choose them over potatoes. Jerusalem artichoke is very easy to grow. Jerusalem artichoke will provide a dense harvest and tall yellow flowers with virtually no effort.
Where is Jerusalem artichoke grown?
Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), also called sunroot, sunchoke or earthen pear, is a species of sunflower native to central North America. It grows wild in eastern and western North America, but is considered an introduced species and grows well throughout the planet.
Is it possible to eat raw Jerusalem artichokes?
Jerusalem artichoke is not actually an artichoke - it is a tuber of a plant belonging to the sunflower family, but it can also be eaten raw. Leaving the peel intact, you can wash and then thinly slice raw Jerusalem artichokes and add them to any type of salad. Are Jerusalem artichokes an invasive weed? Jerusalem artichoke grows without much human care. You can get rid of it by digging up the tubers. Are Jerusalem artichokes grown in pots?
If you don't have a garden or allotment, you can plant Jerusalem artichokes in a tub on your patio for a very low-maintenance harvest in both time and effort.
Is it worth cleaning Jerusalem artichoke?
There is no particular need to peel the Jerusalem artichoke; in a pinch, a teaspoon will do. If you peel the tubers, toss them in acidified water until you are ready to use them. Keep an eye on them as they cook as they can turn to mush pretty quickly.
Can I freeze Jerusalem artichoke?
Jerusalem artichoke is easy to freeze and does not lose its flavor. You can store tubers in the freezer for a long time. Without cooling, the Jerusalem artichoke becomes flabby and disappears quite quickly.
What is the best way to store Jerusalem artichoke?
Place the tubers in plastic bags or a container of damp sand in a cool basement or cellar. At low temperatures and high humidity, tubers are stored for 2 to 5 months. Jerusalem artichoke tubers are not stored in the same way as potatoes.
Are Jerusalem artichoke leaves poisonous?
Despite its name, Jerusalem artichoke has nothing to do with Jerusalem and is not an artichoke; all parts of the plant can be used for food; tubers, leaves, and flowers.
Properties of Jerusalem artichoke - harm and benefit
Medicinal properties of Jerusalem artichoke
When studying the composition of Jerusalem artichoke, scientists were surprised by the variety of minerals and vitamins it contains. In terms of the amount of iron in tubers, for example, the plant significantly exceeds such useful plants as carrots, turnips and beets, and 1 kg of Jerusalem artichoke contains 60-70 mg of carotene. What is included in the composition of Jerusalem artichoke? Potassium and calcium, chromium and fluorine, magnesium and manganese, silicon and sodium, vitamins B1, B2, B6, B7, C, PP, as well as fiber, pectin, fats, proteins, organic acids, natural analogue of insulin inulin and amino acids arginine, valine, leicine and lysine.
Jerusalem artichoke helps with urolithiasis, gout, salt deposits, obesity and anemia. A decoction of it lowers sugar levels and normalizes the functioning of the pancreas. Eating Jerusalem artichoke tubers is simply necessary for residents of large cities with unfavorable environmental conditions, since due to the fiber and inulin they contain, it removes heavy metal salts, radionuclides, toxins and excess cholesterol from the body.
Jerusalem artichoke is recommended for consumption:
- for the prevention of diabetes;
- for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- to lower blood pressure;
- to remove toxins from the body;
- to increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood;
- to protect against viral infections.
In terms of carbohydrate content, Jerusalem artichoke is superior to sugar cane and beets. Jerusalem artichoke tubers are most useful immediately after harvesting, since during storage, as a result of hydrolysis, part of the inulin is converted into fructose. However, there is nothing harmful in this, especially for diabetics, for whom fructose replaces sugar.
Jerusalem artichoke can relieve nausea, stop vomiting, neutralize high acidity, and eliminate the bitter taste in the mouth. It is used during pregnancy to enrich the body of the mother and fetus with useful substances. Eating Jerusalem artichoke tubers in parallel with drug treatment of diseases promotes faster recovery, including by increasing immunity and by removing toxins from the body.
Drinking Jerusalem artichoke juice reduces the increased acidity of gastric juice, eliminates headaches due to high blood pressure, promotes the healing of wounds and ulcers, and alleviates the condition of polyarthritis, diseases of the stomach and duodenum. Drink it 50 g three times a day 15 minutes before meals.
- Tomatoes in a greenhouse: planting, care, difficulties
Jerusalem artichoke is also in demand in cosmetology: it can be used to relieve inflammation or irritation of the skin, smooth out wrinkles, and cleanse pores. To eliminate sagging skin, you need to wipe your face and neck with Jerusalem artichoke juice at night. Oily skin is treated with a mask of grated Jerusalem artichoke with the addition of half a teaspoon of honey. Dry skin can be soaked by adding half a teaspoon of olive oil to the described face mask composition. The mask is washed off after 20 minutes with warm green tea, and after another 10 minutes, wipe the skin with a piece of ice. Cosmetic course – 20 procedures.
Jerusalem artichoke - contraindications
Jerusalem artichoke has no contraindications, unless you have an individual intolerance to this product. Eating Jerusalem artichoke raw can cause flatulence, but after a while the intestines will get used to it and you will stop experiencing discomfort. If addiction does not occur, you can eat Jerusalem artichoke stewed or boiled. And, of course, do not try to eat all the tubers at once - any product can cause discomfort if you overeat.
Jerusalem artichoke recipes
The root vegetable is good in any form: raw, stewed, fried. Like potatoes, they need to be peeled before eating. First, the tubers are washed, peeled, then doused with boiling water and grated. Jerusalem artichoke oxidizes in air, so it should be sprinkled with lemon juice to prevent it from darkening.
Ground pears are used to make soup, fried side dishes and delicious desserts.
Fried Jerusalem artichoke
Ingredients: 500 g Jerusalem artichoke, 2 tbsp. l. olive oil, 2 tbsp. l. dried thyme, 1 tbsp. l. chopped garlic, salt to taste.
Method of preparation: peel the Jerusalem artichoke and cut into pieces about 2 cm. Mix the root vegetables with the remaining ingredients. Place in an even layer on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake for 35 minutes.
You can add vegetables, for example, peppers, onions, zucchini, carrots.
Jerusalem artichoke dessert
Ingredients: 200 g Jerusalem artichoke, 200 g apples or pears, 50 g hazelnuts, 20 g dark chocolate, 1 tbsp. l coconut flakes, 1 can of natural yogurt, sugar or honey.
Method of preparation: cut the root vegetables and apples into cubes. Add crushed hazelnuts, coconut and yoghurt. Sweeten with sugar or honey. Place in a bowl and sprinkle with grated chocolate.
Suitable varieties
There are more than 300 varieties of Jerusalem artichoke; the choice of crop is based on the time of planting and the purpose of the plant. In Russia, for planting before winter, they prefer to use varieties of local selection . These include:
- "White";
- "Vadim";
- "Spindle-shaped";
- "Volzhsky 2";
- "Interest";
- "Red";
- "Leningradsky";
- "Nakhodka";
- "Omsk white";
- "Pasko";
- "Patat";
- "North Caucasian";
- "Skorospelka";
- "Solar".
Important!
All varieties are resistant to frost and drought, and also have similar biological characteristics. Their distinctive features are productivity, decorative qualities and green mass growth.
Why is timely landing important?
Late planting means less chance of a good harvest, i.e. fewer tubers, their small size and unpleasant taste.
- If you plant tubers in the spring before the soil warms up to the required temperature, then there is a chance that not all tubers will germinate and die, and the size of the harvest at the end of the season is already reduced.
- If planted late in spring, the plant may not have enough time for its long growing season, and you will have to forget about a bountiful harvest. The tubers will be smaller in size and not ripe enough to taste good.
- Planting too early in the fall will cause the tubers to germinate before frost and the shoots to die in the winter.
When to plant Jerusalem artichoke: autumn or spring
In areas with a cold climate, spring work is hampered by late thawing of the soil. In order for the fruits to reach biological ripeness, Jerusalem artichoke (earthen pear) needs 4 months to grow. Delayed planting will delay the ripening period. By the time frost sets in, the Jerusalem artichoke will not have time to fully form tubers. If you plant a plant in the ground in the spring, it will produce a full harvest only after a year.
In temperate climates, it is recommended to plant Jerusalem artichoke before winter. Freezing of the root crop will not harm it; as soon as the soil warms up, the plant will enter the active growth phase. Autumn planting is better because the planting material placed in the soil will take root before the onset of cold weather, the root system will go deeper, and there will be no need for constant watering, as in spring.
Spring work is complicated by returning frosts; Jerusalem artichoke feels comfortable in the ground at low temperatures, and young growth needs only -4 0C for it to die. It is difficult to determine the timing of early planting; the crop itself controls the growing season in accordance with favorable temperature conditions.
Important! The advantage of planting Jerusalem artichoke in the fall is the reduction in rodent activity.
Freezing of the soil prevents mice from making passages and destroying tubers. Moles and other small pests go into hibernation.
Plowing the ground for planting
One of the distinctive features of Jerusalem artichoke is the abundance of green mass; the stems can reach 1.5–2, and in some varieties, 3 meters in height. The leaves on long petioles are large and fleshy, in the lower part they are arranged in pairs, and at the top they grow alternating. But the plant needs a lot of nutrients in order for the above-ground part to be lush and green, so a lot of organic matter is required. At the same time, the acidity of the soil can be almost any (but not overly acidic), since Jerusalem artichoke is very unpretentious.
Moreover, as it grows, it very quickly goes beyond the boundaries of the fertilized plot, feeling great on ordinary loam or sandy loam, but at the same time, the root crops significantly lose in size and nutritional value. In connection with all of the above, it becomes clear that the soil needs to be thoroughly prepared for planting. To do this, it is advisable to use 2 plots, alternating their processing. That is, at first you need to plow or dig up both to the length of a spade and add 2-3 tons of compost for each hundred square meters. Next, we leave one area “fallow”, and on the other we plant Jerusalem artichokes in the winter.
Preparing the soil for planting Jerusalem artichoke
A year later, by the end of the next warm season, the first after plowing, we plant tubers in both plots, and after another growing season, “under fallow”, the second plot, loaded from the very beginning, is plowed. Moreover, this time you can add clean manure; within a year it will turn into humus. So, every 2 years, we alternate manuring the soil on two plots, which will allow the land to rest and be enriched with nutrients. It is better to divide the area for planting into acres, each of which is cultivated, forming fairly high ridges. You need to do this at least half a month before you plant the tubers, so that the loose soil is well saturated with moisture, which will help the nutrients from the fertilizers penetrate deep into the soil. The fact is that the roots of Jerusalem artichoke are very powerful and penetrate deeply, while at the same time growing to the sides. Therefore, to supply the plant with a large amount of nutrients over a large area within the planting area.
Highly alkaline, as well as heavy and saline soils will require additional preparation. Acidification may be necessary, for example with sulfur, but this must be done a year before using the Jerusalem artichoke plot due to the formation of sulfuric acid. In order to lower the pH of the soil, it is best to use iron sulfate; it will increase the acidity in 2-3 weeks, creating the alkaline balance you need.
Features of Jerusalem artichoke
Jerusalem artichoke has a powerful root system; the formation of tubers that can be eaten occurs on their underground stolons. The color of the tubers can be red, white, yellow or purple, they look similar to ginger root, and their taste is similar to turnips or cabbage stalks. On the surface of the straight and powerful stem there is pubescence represented by short villi; its height can vary from 0.4 to 3 meters, and in the upper part it branches. The serrate-toothed leaf blades have petioles and pubescence on their surface. The upper leaves are alternately arranged, their shape is elongated-ovate or lanceolate, and the lower ones are heart-shaped-ovate, oppositely arranged. The inflorescences-baskets reach 10 centimeters in diameter, they include tubular median bisexual yellow flowers, as well as 10–15 pseudolingulate marginal sterile flowers of golden yellow color. The fruit is an achene that ripens in August–September.
This crop is grown on an industrial scale in Russia, America and Asia. However, gardeners have been growing Jerusalem artichoke for many decades as a food product that has healing properties. The chemical composition of Jerusalem artichoke tubers is very similar to potatoes, and its nutritional value is higher even than that of beets. Such tubers are eaten both raw and boiled, fried and stewed. They are also used to make tea and compote.
Jerusalem artichoke. How to grow, how to store Jerusalem artichoke, how to collect Jerusalem artichoke. The benefits of Jerusalem artichoke.
Caring for Jerusalem artichokes in the fall after planting
The culture is not whimsical, so after planting in the fall it grows without special care. When favorable conditions are created, problems with culture do not arise. Caring for Jerusalem artichoke in the fall becomes more difficult if the autumn is long and warm and the plant has sprouted young shoots.
Watering schedule
The culture responds well to moderate watering. In summer, it easily tolerates drought. But before wintering, the supply of moisture increases. Water in the morning every 5 days until frost sets in. Water-recharging watering will help the roots deepen. If the Jerusalem artichoke has not sprouted and is at rest, water the bed with the same frequency, at least 10 liters per hole, the water should be cold.
Loosening the soil and hilling
Loosening is a mandatory procedure after autumn planting. Every day for 2–3 weeks, the beds are loosened. These manipulations give oxygen access to the root and destroy weeds. Loosening involves thinning the planting. If the shoots are dense, leave a distance of 35 cm, the remaining shoots are removed. Densely planted Jerusalem artichoke is prone to degeneration.
If the plant is planted on a hill in a ridge, it is constantly trimmed and topped up. If Jerusalem artichoke germinates after autumn planting, the soil is added to the top leaves.
If the planting was carried out on level ground, the procedures for loosening the soil are supplemented by hilling the young plant. It is covered with soil to the top. In 50% of young shoots, they manage to survive until spring. Those sprouts that are frozen quickly recover. The main task in autumn planting care is to preserve the tubers.
Do I need to feed
When laying the beds, complex fertilizers are applied, which should be enough until spring. Before frost, it is recommended to apply products containing nitrogen. Wood ash is scattered on top of the bed. A week before stopping watering, add an infusion of fermented freshly cut grass with bird droppings (1:10).
Is it necessary to prune Jerusalem artichokes for the winter?
Jerusalem artichoke produces a large mass of shoots and leaves. To speed up the ripening process of the root crop, pruning is carried out closer to autumn, around the beginning of September. Early stem pruning is not advisable. Vegetables in the soil will not have time to accumulate a sufficient amount of nutrients and gain the required weight.
In the spring, the growing season of Jerusalem artichoke is aimed at the formation of green mass; the fruits will not be large and will lose in taste. By autumn, the bush begins to wither - this is an indicator of the ripening of the vegetable. By winter, the tops dry out completely, because the plant no longer needs them. Cut the stems 15 cm higher from ground level; in the spring it will be easy to determine where the bush is located.
Preparing for winter
In regions with warm climates, preparation for winter involves cutting off the stems. The plant is not covered for the winter. Tubers are well preserved and do not lose their chemical composition at a temperature of -40 0C. In temperate climates, Jerusalem artichokes are covered with a layer (at least 15 cm) of leaves, peat, sawdust or chopped tree bark. It is recommended to hill up the plant before mulching. In winter, snow is thrown over the crop.
Is it possible to plant before winter?
The optimal time for planting is considered to be autumn . Usually it is planted as whole tubers, but dividing the rhizome into several parts is also allowed. In this case, the Jerusalem artichoke grows healthy, strong and produces a rich harvest the next year. It is better to propagate the vegetable on the plot in late autumn with whole tubers, as in this case you will get stronger plants.
It takes longer for the earthen pear to reproduce by seed. By spring, such planting material produces only small tubers, which only after 12 months turn into a powerful plant capable of producing a harvest. Therefore, experienced gardeners prefer the first method, and the second is used by breeders to obtain new varieties.
The advantages of autumn planting include:
- There is no need to water the beds until summer; it is enough to moisten the soil after planting.
- The first roots go deep into the soil, which allows Jerusalem artichoke to quickly adapt to growing conditions.
- Rodents cannot dig tunnels in frozen ground, moles hibernate, and insect pests take shelter for the winter at this time, so no one will damage the seeds and tubers.
