| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| earthyvirgo |
Jerusalem Artichokes, plant straight in the ground or chit?I bought some lovely JA's in an organic farm shop just outside Ciliau Aeron the other day and thought I might put a couple aside for planting.(I know some people will think I'm mad because of their spreading habit) however ...., - is it the right time of year? - shall I just plant them straight into the soil or would it be a good idea to 'chit' them like potatoes, to see if they sprout before planting. That is, assuming that ones bought for eating are suitable EV |
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| Hairyloon |
I just chucked a few back in the ground when I dug them up.
Seemed to work last year... If anything, I think the problem may be stopping them from taking over. Still, I've found a lady who seems very keen to part exchange them for soup. 
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| Behemoth |
Straight in the ground. Them and the cockroaches will outlast us all. | ||||
| cab |
Have a good look at 'em. Have they got growing tips on them or have those been cut off? | ||||
| frewen |
I just popped a couple straight into the ground - they seem fairly indestructable 
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| cab |
Oh, and all the advice I can easily give on Jerusalem artichokes is here:
http://www.downsizer.net/Projects/Growing_food/Jerusalem_Artichokes%3A_A_guide_to_growing_and_cooking/ Generally speaking its a case of plant and back off to a safe distance. Sometimes the bought ones have had the growing tips cut off, and I think that could be a problem. Other than that, they're easy enough. |
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| Mary-Jane |
Indeed. |
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| earthyvirgo |
Just inspected, definitely life in them there artichokes, lots of little pink tips looking ready to do something
EV |
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| cab |
Excellent... Then plant and run 
The only downer is that you'll not know what variety they are, so you don't know how tall they'll get. Still, you can be pretty sure they'll grow. And grow. And grow... |
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| earthyvirgo |
I've grown the once before, years back when I was in college in Exeter. I'm hoping (am I mad?) that the North Wales climate might be a bit rougher on them and I won't end up with an 8' tall hedge this time
EV |
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| cab |
It'll as much depend on the variety as the weather. Dwarf Sunray is always (I'm told) short, whereas Fuseau and Gerard are, in my experience, always tall! | ||||
| shadiya |
I was given ten to plant and thought they'd be good pig food so bunged them in - harvested two and a half 25kg feed sacks, very carefully so we didn't leave any bits in (ha ha) and then couldn't give them away. I forgot that the pigs would have already gone to slaughter.... Needless to say, the 'clear' plot behaved as if it were newly planted last summer and I don't know how many we've got in there because we've left them in the ground but it was a hedge of no obvious difference in size to the first year! 
Make sure you plant them somewhere that you never plan to plant anything else would be my advice!
I've tried them roasted, ok but not wildly exciting. Anybody got any good recipes? |
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| judith |
Sorry. You're mad.
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| earthyvirgo |
Mad? Me? Occasionally
Well, they're in. I dug over and de-grassed/weeded a small bit of ground today (about 4 foot square), edged it with 4 old sleepers which I luckily acquired a couple of years ago and popped a few in - only a few mind you, after the warnings if JA invasion I've read on here
EV |
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| gardening-girl |
The few will become many!
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| jamanda |
Well we've dumped six inches of well rotted horse muck on the bed where I deliberately left a few tubers last year. We shall see.
Did I mention I love Jerusalem artichokes? |
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| wildfoodie |
that's like turning the other cheek to the school bully....
hope you like jerusalem artichokes...
your local farm shop may take excess harvest off your hands, and I hear chickens are partial to boiled JA mash. |