Is it a poor year for Jerusalem Artichokes?

Or, is it just mine?

Grew 5 of them last year, but, didn't harvest. So, lots of plants this year

Except .... I've just been out to pull some up for dinner:

First stalk pulled - 2
2nd, 3rd, 4th .... 10th - nowt! :(

11th two barely worth a blink

12 - 20th stalk: 3

So, from 20 stalks, lots of roots, but I only got a handful of 'chokes

JA's are now off the Christmas dinner menu.

 

No prob's here, dug up the first load for mash I got about 12 decent tubers. They have been in the same spot for about three years so I expect yours will multiply in 2013 / 2014. Cheers, Tony.

 

Did you "pull" or do they have to be "dug"?

 

This year not as good as previous years, but I imagine the indifferent weather played a part.
I tried experimentally growing a couple in very large pots. Just emptied one pot, a fair harvest considering I didn't plant them until June, but one big plus is they are lovely and clean. I am having some this evening - sliced into rounds and sauteed in butter and stock with a little garlic, fresh chopped tomato and parsley.

a-a

 

Worst year ever since they were put in about 5 years ago.

 

Apart from the 'experimental' ones grown in pots, I put some in an area of almost solid clay to try to break it up a bit - I dug them today and harvested about 3kg from the two plants.
They're a bit knobbly and I managed to 'spear' a couple with the fork, but they will be OK in soup.




a-a

............'et voila!' ............!!!!

 

Just re-read this thread. Best to dig them up as you have more chance of clearing them all out from that plant. They are terrible for re-growing from the tinyest bit left in the ground and tend to spread. Best keep them neat and tidy above and below ground level.

Cheers, Tony.