Jerusalem artichokes.

[Kerrij]

When should these be harvested?

I've grown them before and we harvested them in the early winter and they, erm, had , erm, dire side effects. Now someone told me you need to harvest them before or after frosts.... but I cannot remember which.

Any thoughts?

[Chantal]

I harvest mine right through the winter as soon as they are big enough to roast until they start to sprout again. What side effects? You get used to them if you eat them often enough. Until then, try not to keep canaries.

[Kerrij]

Worse than canaries...

Worse than wolfhounds.....

More like a severe curry (which I cannot eat cos I am allergic to)

[sprout]

I wait til the foliage starts to wither (late Sept?), then cut stems to about 1 ft above ground. Then cover with an insulating layer of straw so they are diggable even in frost, leaving the chopped off stalks poking out so you can see where to dig.

November is traditional for us starting to harvest.

Top tip: To avoid windy nights, add a pinch of asafoetida to JAs when cooking. Pronounced ass-a-fit-tee-dah. If you buy it in an Asian store, ask for HING, which is a darn sight easier

[Kerrij]

It's not a wind problem......

[Chantal]

I was thinking more of the canary detecting the gas and falling off it's perch when things got too bad. I didn't know they could be responsible for it too Having said that, Rocky my cockerel walked into my kitchen and ripped off a really loud one the other day. He looked so surprised; I've not stopped giggling about it yet.

[Johnboy]

Hi Sprout,
Thank you for the tip as I obviously do not eat enough of them for my body to deal with them as Chantal suggests.
Not an Indian or Asian Store in the District and come to think of it I do not know of any in the area so for the present windy nights, and days for that matter, will have to prevail. I'll have a look in yellow pages but am really at a loss for the right thing to look for in YP.
I deal with my JA's the same as you and cut back to about a foot which really only acts as a good marker more than any other purpose. I know people who hack them off at ground level and it doesn't seem to make any difference to the crop. I was taught how to do this at a very early age so thats what I do.

[Kerrij]

they sell it online here...

online spice linky


And - Sprout - living with a wolfhound gives you a new perspective on room-clearing "windy nights"


I made the mistake of planting JAs in the corner of my veggie plot 2 years ago - and am still dealing with the offshoots. This year I planted them in a potatoe barrel - so we will have to wait to see the results. I love the flavour - but can do without the side effects to will try the afformentioned herb/spice thingy - thanks

[Belinda]

I've seen it on the shelf in Sainsbury's - so maybe other supermarkets will have it too.

[Tigger]

JB - as I'm surrounded by Asian suppliers at my place of work, do you want me to bring you anything to Malvern? I do a spice shop at least once a month and a veg and fruit shop weekly, as they are so wonderful. You can't beat the flavour of Alphonso manhoes.

[Johnboy]

Hi Tigger,
In my mind you have now been promoted from Moderator to Angel! If you could manage to bring some to Malvern that would be brilliant.
Looking forward to the day and am greatly saddened that the Porcine contingent will be missing.

[Allan]

I brought JAs when I moved but the burrowing critters at the farm cleared the lot. I now have 2 strains at Hereford, not much room for them but the ordinary ones were lifting the paving slabs so we had to clear out most. The other half took the surplus to Fodder shop, the whole lot sold in hours so there is obviously a good market. In an attempt to grow them safe from critters I have some planted in 4 large fishboxes but they need constant vigilance as they go dry very quickly, they are too crowded. That lot are a superior type with red skins, variety Garnet. No commercial seller known.
I am still trying to devise a growing method to safely grow at the farm.
Allan