Moon's Graden

by **Tamm** » Wed, 03 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Hello to all,
I am wanting to grow artichokes this year for the first time. I was
wondering if any of you knew anything special about them that may be of
some help to me.
I wanted to try the Green Globe variety. My understanding is that they
are related to thistles. sound like something I can grow then since I
fight wild thistles all year! : ) Is there any real benefit to using
plants over seeds? Or do they germinate and mature pretty well on there
own? You eat the flower bud right. I have seen some pictures of them
flowering and they have beautiful lavender purple flowers if not
harvested. Makes me think that it may be something I would even consider
as an ornamental. Has anyone ever tried this?
It's VERY hot and dry here in the summer and I am sure I will have to
irrigate them well to keep them producing, especially since they are
predicting a severe drought for my area this year. That makes me think I
would probably want to consider doing some companion planting around
them. Any suggestions?
I was also considering Jerusalem Artichokes this year. I realize these
are a tuber and not the same thing. Anyone know if they are a picky
plant? I think they resemble sunflowers aboveground, and was wondering
how tall they get. May make a nice backdrop in the veggie garden. Do
they require a lot of water? And will they stand up to my summer heat
(high 90's and low 100's for several days a year.) Also how quickly do
they spread?
I will be ordering them all from Gurney's and am eager to get my order
off. So, if you know anything about theses plants I would really love to
hear from you. : )
Happy Gardening, and keep the faith spring is in the air!
Tammy
Central Texas
zone 8a

by **Brace** » Wed, 03 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Hi Tammy:

There is a reason why commercial artichokes are grown on the central coast
of California. They require cool, damp weather to produce edible buds.
Your climate sounds all wrong for them.

However, Jerusalem Artichokes should do just fine. They can get tall and
spreading (8'x8'). Good for a temporary screening. Since you eat the
tuber, give it lots of water.

Bracey

Quote:

>Hello to all,
>I am wanting to grow artichokes this year for the first time. I was
>wondering if any of you knew anything special about them that may be of
>some help to me.
>I wanted to try the Green Globe variety. My understanding is that they
>are related to thistles. sound like something I can grow then since I
>fight wild thistles all year! : ) Is there any real benefit to using
>plants over seeds? Or do they germinate and mature pretty well on there
>own? You eat the flower bud right. I have seen some pictures of them
>flowering and they have beautiful lavender purple flowers if not
>harvested. Makes me think that it may be something I would even consider
>as an ornamental. Has anyone ever tried this?
>It's VERY hot and dry here in the summer and I am sure I will have to
>irrigate them well to keep them producing, especially since they are
>predicting a severe drought for my area this year. That makes me think I
>would probably want to consider doing some companion planting around
>them. Any suggestions?
>I was also considering Jerusalem Artichokes this year. I realize these
>are a tuber and not the same thing. Anyone know if they are a picky
>plant? I think they resemble sunflowers aboveground, and was wondering
>how tall they get. May make a nice backdrop in the veggie garden. Do
>they require a lot of water? And will they stand up to my summer heat
>(high 90's and low 100's for several days a year.) Also how quickly do
>they spread?
>I will be ordering them all from Gurney's and am eager to get my order
>off. So, if you know anything about theses plants I would really love to
>hear from you. : )
>Happy Gardening, and keep the faith spring is in the air!
>Tammy
>Central Texas
>zone 8a

by **Nancy Milliga** » Thu, 04 Feb 1999 04:00:00

I've heard jerusalem artichokes spread like crazy underground so you might want
to think about containing them. They also have pretty, daisy like flowers I
believe.

Nancy M.

by **Stell** » Thu, 04 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Quote:

>I've heard jerusalem artichokes spread like crazy underground so you might
>want
>to think about containing them. They also have pretty, daisy like flowers I
>believe.

More likely sunflower-like.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jason Hernandez
Naturalist-at-Large

"Gregariousness has always been the refuge of mediocrities"
--Boris Pasternak

by **Gary Coope** » Thu, 04 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Quote:

> Hello to all,
> I am wanting to grow artichokes this year for the first time. I was
> wondering if any of you knew anything special about them that may be of
> some help to me.
...
> I was also considering Jerusalem Artichokes this year. I realize these
> are a tuber and not the same thing. Anyone know if they are a picky
> plant? I think they resemble sunflowers aboveground, and was wondering
> how tall they get. May make a nice backdrop in the veggie garden. Do
> they require a lot of water? And will they stand up to my summer heat
> (high 90's and low 100's for several days a year.) Also how quickly do
> they spread?
> I will be ordering them all from Gurney's and am eager to get my order
> off. So, if you know anything about theses plants I would really love to
> hear from you. : )
> Happy Gardening, and keep the faith spring is in the air!
> Tammy
> Central Texas
> zone 8a

I haven't grown artichokes successfully, but I've grown Jerusalem
artichokes (which, as you say, are a species of sunflower and not related
to artichokes) and I like them very much. They are very easy to grow,
pest-resistant, and productive. Some people find them hard to get rid of
when they decide to stop growing them (it's a perennial plant and also
produces seeds). They need abbout the same amount of water, fertilizer,
etc., as other sunflowers, if that helps -- in Central Texas, you'll need
to water them some but they're not extremely thirsty and have some drought
tolerance. In the Dallas area, mine got about seven feet tall or more, so
this is definitely a "back of the garden" plant. You want to put them
where they won't shade the rest of your garden. In late summer, they have
white flowers (small sunflowers, really) which I think are attractive.
They do spread from the roots after they've become established, but they
aren't terribly agressive invaders, in my experience. Besides, thinning
them (by digging them up) gives you more tubers to eat. They seem to stand
heat just fine if they have enough water (they can stand a good deal of
winter cold, too).
As a vegetable, I like Jerusalem artichokes a lot. Raw, they are something
like water chestnuts (but better tasting) and cooked they are something
like potatoes.
Some cultivars produce bigger and smoother tubers than others, but
ordering them by mail, it's hard to know which you are getting.

Happy Gardening,
Gary

by **Kiki Hio** » Thu, 04 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Quote:

>I haven't grown artichokes successfully, but I've grown Jeru
>salem
>artichokes (which, as you say, are a species of sunflower an
>d not related
>to artichokes) and I like them very much. They are very easy
> to grow,
>pest-resistant, and productive. Some people find them hard t
>o get rid of
>when they decide to stop growing them (it's a perennial plan
>t and also
>produces seeds). They need abbout the same amount of water,
>fertilizer,
>etc.....

I like Jerusalem artichokes a lot. Raw, they

Quote:

> are something
>like water chestnuts (but better tasting) and cooked they ar
>e something
>like potatoes....

In the south they are used to make arti***pickles. BOY, are they good!

Kiki

by **Kiki Hio** » Thu, 04 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Quote:

>I haven't grown artichokes successfully, but I've grown Jeru
>salem
>artichokes (which, as you say, are a species of sunflower an
>d not related
>to artichokes) and I like them very much. They are very easy
> to grow,
>pest-resistant, and productive. Some people find them hard t
>o get rid of
>when they decide to stop growing them (it's a perennial plan
>t and also
>produces seeds). They need abbout the same amount of water,
>fertilizer,
>etc.....

I like Jerusalem artichokes a lot. Raw, they

Quote:

> are something
>like water chestnuts (but better tasting) and cooked they ar
>e something
>like potatoes....

In the south they are used to make arti***pickles. BOY, are they good!

Kiki

by **Tamm** » Thu, 04 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Thanks so much for the info! I sure appreciate it. : ) I will be careful where I
plant my J. Artichokes and will probably pass on the globe variety. I found out
after checking a book from the library that Jerusalem Arichokes are actually a
relative of the sunflower! No wonder I was told they resemble one another. I will
let you guys know of the out come.
Thanks again.
Tammy

Quote:

> I've heard jerusalem artichokes spread like crazy underground so you might want
> to think about containing them. They also have pretty, daisy like flowers I
> believe.

> Nancy M.

by **Bill Morg** » Thu, 04 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Quote:

> Hi Tammy:

> There is a reason why commercial artichokes are grown on the central coast
> of California. They require cool, damp weather to produce edible buds.
> Your climate sounds all wrong for them.

> However, Jerusalem Artichokes should do just fine. They can get tall and
> spreading (8'x8'). Good for a temporary screening. Since you eat the
> tuber, give it lots of water.

All true, but Jerusalem artichokes are completely different in taste,
growth characteristics, etc. They are only distantly related (both members
of the aster family, but different subfamilies), and while both are quite
tasty, they are not good substitutes for one another.

The original poster might be able to fake to cool, damp weather depending
on his site (microclimate, don'tcha know?).

But if globe artichokes are out of the question, he might try cardoon. This
is another thistle, closely related to artichokes (same species according
to some; one species over according to others.) In this crop, the stems are
eaten. They are about as close as you get to arti***flavor without the
arti***per. se.

Regards,
Bill

--
Center for Room Temperature Confusion

by **Bill Morg** » Thu, 04 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Quote:

> Hi Tammy:

> There is a reason why commercial artichokes are grown on the central coast
> of California. They require cool, damp weather to produce edible buds.
> Your climate sounds all wrong for them.

> However, Jerusalem Artichokes should do just fine. They can get tall and
> spreading (8'x8'). Good for a temporary screening. Since you eat the
> tuber, give it lots of water.

All true, but Jerusalem artichokes are completely different in taste,
growth characteristics, etc. They are only distantly related (both members
of the aster family, but different subfamilies), and while both are quite
tasty, they are not good substitutes for one another.

The original poster might be able to fake to cool, damp weather depending
on his site (microclimate, don'tcha know?).

But if globe artichokes are out of the question, he might try cardoon. This
is another thistle, closely related to artichokes (same species according
to some; one species over according to others.) In this crop, the stems are
eaten. They are about as close as you get to arti***flavor without the
arti***per. se.

Regards,
Bill

--
Center for Room Temperature Confusion

by **Tamm** » Thu, 04 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Ohhh, I love anything pickled!!! Any ideas how to do it?
T

Quote:

> >I haven't grown artichokes successfully, but I've grown Jeru
> >salem
> >artichokes (which, as you say, are a species of sunflower an
> >d not related
> >to artichokes) and I like them very much. They are very easy
> > to grow,
> >pest-resistant, and productive. Some people find them hard t
> >o get rid of
> >when they decide to stop growing them (it's a perennial plan
> >t and also
> >produces seeds). They need abbout the same amount of water,
> >fertilizer,
> >etc.....

> I like Jerusalem artichokes a lot. Raw, they
> > are something
> >like water chestnuts (but better tasting) and cooked they ar
> >e something
> >like potatoes....

> In the south they are used to make arti***pickles. BOY, are they good!

> Kiki

by **Tamm** » Thu, 04 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Ohhh, I love anything pickled!!! Any ideas how to do it?
T

Quote:

> >I haven't grown artichokes successfully, but I've grown Jeru
> >salem
> >artichokes (which, as you say, are a species of sunflower an
> >d not related
> >to artichokes) and I like them very much. They are very easy
> > to grow,
> >pest-resistant, and productive. Some people find them hard t
> >o get rid of
> >when they decide to stop growing them (it's a perennial plan
> >t and also
> >produces seeds). They need abbout the same amount of water,
> >fertilizer,
> >etc.....

> I like Jerusalem artichokes a lot. Raw, they
> > are something
> >like water chestnuts (but better tasting) and cooked they ar
> >e something
> >like potatoes....

> In the south they are used to make arti***pickles. BOY, are they good!

> Kiki

by **Helen Ka** » Sat, 06 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Quote:

> I wanted to try the Green Globe variety. My understanding is that they
> are related to thistles. sound like something I can grow then since I

Seedlings can be unpredictable--some are very spiny, and the usual
reccommendation is "plant a lot of seed and then cull the spiny ones."
If you can get "sets" (small plants which can be detached from established
plants) then you'll be able to cut out this step.

I _think_ that I remember reading that "Green Globe" had a smaller
proportion of spiny seedlings than some other varieties, though.

They'll grow well in places with hot dry summers--they do very well in
South Australia--but they need plenty of water.

Helen.

by **Jessi** » Sat, 06 Feb 1999 04:00:00

Quote:

> I've heard jerusalem artichokes spread like crazy underground so you might want
> to think about containing them. They also have pretty, daisy like flowers I
> believe.

They're fairly easy to contain. Just dig the whole bed up
-- like potatoes -- there will always be enough small tubers
left behind for the next year's crop and they won't get out
of hand unless they're left undug for several years. BTW,
they're related to sunflowers.

--
Jessie
New York City
j e s 2 2 at columbia dot edu
==================================
note the spam Trap
==================================

by **Sam Fran** » Sun, 07 Feb 1999 04:00:00

They do spread, but you can easily keep them under control by pulling the plants that
come up next to your row. I have had a bed about 4' x 20' for several years and it
has spread about 6 inches each way. They grow about 8 feet tall and have nice cut
flower type sunflowers in the fall. Get a smooth skin variety for easier peeling.
There are many varieties. Excellent eating this time of year.

Quote:

> Thanks so much for the info! I sure appreciate it. : ) I will be careful where I
> plant my J. Artichokes and will probably pass on the globe variety. I found out
> after checking a book from the library that Jerusalem Arichokes are actually a
> relative of the sunflower! No wonder I was told they resemble one another. I will
> let you guys know of the out come.
> Thanks again.
> Tammy

> > I've heard jerusalem artichokes spread like crazy underground so you might want
> > to think about containing them. They also have pretty, daisy like flowers I
> > believe.

> > Nancy M.