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Post by heavyhitterokra on Sept 3, 2017 7:18:18 GMT -6
Today is September 3, 2017.
My Jerusalem Artichokes are just beginning to blossom. They are a welcome burst of color at this time of year when most flowering things have passed. They are very hardy this year. For some reason, they've really experienced a growth spurt this season. I should have enough roots this Fall to break them up and replant, to create the beginnings of a hedgerow of blossoms for next year. As thick as they grow, I'm thinking about planting them along my garden fence line to keep out undesirable plant invasions such as thistle, ragweed, poke berries, and other numerous invaders lurking on the vacant lot adjacent to my garden. Not to mention they might help to keep out the neighbor's cows by creating a blind. They might also create a much-needed wind break.
The Jerusalem Artichokes are a welcome addition to my overall permaculture plans. They compliment my fruit trees and grape vines, providing food at a time of year when nothing else is available due to freezing temperatures. The Jerusalem Artichokes gain flavor with the onset of Winter and are a welcome ingredient in snowy weather stews.
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Nov 2, 2017 6:34:35 GMT -6
Now, that frost has killed my sunchokes, it won't be long before I dig my first roots. These are really doing well here. I had some of them planted in Hulbert, but they never prospered like these do. In all the years I had them in Hulbert, they never spread as far as these have in just two years. I'm really well impressed by the vigor of these plants in Moodys' soil. I'll be making stew from these Jerusalem Artichokes by the end of this month I hope.
They are also good sliced thinly for salads or for just eating raw. They have a crisp texture similar to water chestnuts when eaten raw.
Thanks, George, for the new starts... The hogs in Hulbert dug mine up and destroyed them after I moved, so I had lost my old starts. They were planted by my Grandma and my Aunt Mandie, many years ago, so they had sentimental value. Growing these plants brings back good memories. When I dig these roots, it's almost like the two of them are standing right there.
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Mar 4, 2018 0:47:29 GMT -6
Below, is an interesting excerpt about consuming Sun Chokes, kindly borrowed from the Common Sence Home website with permission.
For the full article, which presents a much more detailed and very in-depth approach to growing Sunchokes, Go to:
commonsensehome.com/before-you-plant-sunchokes/
The excerpt below furthers the case that George and I presented last year, about the potential of Sunchokes prepared in certain ways, causing gas. Although, we didn't experience this problem unless the sunchokes were boiled and eaten in large quantities. You will do good to remember, (most good things are to be done in Moderation.)
Here's the article from Common Sense Home:
Do Sunchokes Cause Gas?
Sunchokes are loaded with inulin. Inulin is a type of starch that although not digestible by humans, acts as a prebiotic in the digestive tract, feeding our beneficial bacteria. It's become a widely use filler in many foods to bump up the fiber counts. It also increases calcium absorption in the body and doesn't spike blood sugar. (See the book “Perennial Vegetables” for all the dirty details.) There are even sweeteners made for diabetics made out of sunchokes.
Some sources claim that eating a large number of sunchokes may lead to mild gas for those who are not used to it. They have even been nicknamed, “fartichokes”. I can testify that eating a large portion of boiled sunchokes will give you horrible, gut-racking gas like you have never experienced before…well, except for that one time when you were pregnant and thought it was a good idea to eat prunes, cheese curds and cucumbers in large amounts all at the same time.
Start slowly when eating sunchokes, and perhaps avoid serving them in large quantities at dinner parties. Give your digestive system time to build up the right bacteria to deal with the extra inulin.
Again, for the full article, visit: commonsensehome.com/before-you-plant-sunchokes/
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Post by macmex on Apr 14, 2020 11:38:43 GMT -6
Rabbits do love them!
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Post by macmex on Sept 24, 2020 4:16:59 GMT -6
I have never purposefully saved any of their seed, but I know they produce viable seed as I frequently have volunteers come up, too far from the patch to be from a moved root. The volunteers have always produced very similar roots to their parents. Of course, I only grow one variety.
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Post by macmex on Oct 26, 2020 4:56:02 GMT -6
Bon, there's no hurry at all. They will develop their best flavor after really cold weather sets in. I've broken them out of frozen mud and they are not only fine, they're sweeter for it.
Here in Oklahoma I only dig mine as I want to use them.
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Nov 1, 2020 17:39:16 GMT -6
I don't think you can hurt sunchokes by digging up the patch to gather the roots, as long as you leave a few roots for 'seed'. They seem to prosper from being thinned out.
On the other hand; if they get too thickly populated, they will suffer from over-crowding and will produce short, puny, plants and weak, very small tubers. It's as if God designed them to be heavily harvested.
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