Jerusalem artichokes

So I planted Jerusalem artichokes last year and all of them came up. Only one of them flowered. I didn’t try to harvest any as I thought they would need a full year to best continue to produce. When should I expect them to come up this spring? I’m in East Tennessee.

I don't know the exact time, but after last frost, and before okra planting time. So, maybe 3 to 4 weeks after last frost? They appeared before I had time to worry about them.

Joylynn Hardesty wrote:I don't know the exact time, but after last frost, and before okra planting time. So, maybe 3 to 4 weeks after last frost? They appeared before I had time to worry about them.

Thanks, Joylynn! I guess I’ll be learning patience 😊

I am in Virginia and usually by March were digging their roots up because we can see where they are poking out.

Nicky Schauder wrote:I am in Virginia and usually by March were digging their roots up because we can see where they are poking out.

Thanks Nicky, don’t see mine poking out yet, but I keep watching!

If your JA plants got lots of leaves last year and they naturally died off in late fall, they will produce tubers. How is your soil condition? If sandy and loose, the tubers will travel farther away from the original plant. In very compact soil, they tend to cluster underneath and that results in crowded and weak growth the following year. If you want more plants, it's better to dig out the tubers and space them out.

May Lotito wrote:If your JA plants got lots of leaves last year and they naturally died off in late fall, they will produce tubers. How is your soil condition? If sandy and loose, the tubers will travel farther away from the original plant. In very compact soil, they tend to cluster underneath and that results in crowded and weak growth the following year. If you want more plants, it's better to dig out the tubers and space them out.

Thanks, all of this information has been helpful! Hopefully I’ll be enjoying JA this winter in abundance.

SUNCHOKES!

Here, last average frost is April 15th. If jack frost comes back I expect these leaves to vanish. The new USDA Hardiness zone map lists me in 8a. According to my own experience on my land, i've had perennials winter kill that were suposed to be zone 6. So... I still claim zone 7a.



Let us knw when yours sprouts!

Joylynn Hardesty wrote:SUNCHOKES!

Here, last average frost is April 15th. If jack frost comes back I expect these leaves to vanish. The new USDA Hardiness zone map lists me in 8a. According to my own experience on my land, i've had perennials winter kill that were suposed to be zone 6. So... I still claim zone 7a.



Let us knw when yours sprouts!

Yes, believe 7 here as well, April 15. I think I have 1 sprout so far. But, we are supposed to have a frost this week, so no telling if it or any others will make it.
Are you in East Tennessee?

Nope. We're way out west.