Jerusalem Artichokes: Time to dig them up!
The Jerusalem artichokes are about 8 feet tall.The UK weather has been so bad that I am not holding my breath.Even by our low standards.
I don't know how to know when they're ready or when to harvest them.They have never been grown before.
It would be great if there were hints for reducing the wind effect.It is similar to castor oil without the follow-through.
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Cut the stems down at the start of winter and dig as required from then until March, but leave a few smaller tuber/stalk bases in the ground.
You can live with the wind or start a plant breeding programme to develop a windless variety.
I know of no way to avoid the storm of farts that follow if you dig them late.
They are hardy and don't start to grow until the spring is advanced.If you chop the stems to the stump, leave something to help find them again.You will never find them all.Take some for the fridge if you think you will be frost bound.
This is useful for me because I am growing them for the first time.The tubers should be parboiled and the water used discarded to reduce the effects of farts.They can be roasted or souped.They will make you fart, but not as violently.I have tried.
Wait until the tops are killed by a frost, then cut them off.Harvest through the winter according to your needs.
Moderation is the best way to deal with wind.Inulin is the sugar that causes the wind.It isn't a big problem for me, and some people like it more than others.
The easiest way to eat them is to clean them, cut off the bad spots and put them in acidulated water.Rub with a little olive oil after rinsing.They should be roasted until they turn brown and start oozing.If you want, serve with butter.
Yours must be on their way because mine are already growing.How did you grow up?I was not prepared to support them because they are growing across the ground.
Lots of useful comments were made after the post soilman.I only grow jerusalem artichoke for the blooms.I will have a taste test this year.I hope you bloom.It is almost there for mine.The yellow flowers are cheerful.cheers to irena
I love eating soilman fartichoke and I live on a mountain so I don't care if I eat them or not.
Re-cultivation.I'm not sure where I read this.In the summer, remove flowerheads and cut back the stems to 1.5-2m.Keep it moist.The stems should be cut back to 8 cm above the ground when the leaves start to yellow.As a mulch, lay foliage over to aid harvest.
When the stalks begin to die back, I cut the flowers down to about a foot off the ground and mulch with leafmould or straw.
A couple of years back there was a discussion on the same topic and someone suggested adding Asafoetida or Devil's Dung and Indian resign used as a spice.It worked for everyone who tried it.Maybe there is salvation because I forgot to add Asafoetida.
A high percentage of your neighbours will come by and harvest them for you if you tell them about them.They will take them off your hands, so you can grow something that you want to eat.
To deal with the wind.All vegetables and grain must be chewed at least 50 times to 200 times.Nutrition derived from them to feed the body will be greatly improved.