Jerusalem artichoke is a perennial sunflower species with an edible, hardy tuber. Thanks to a frost hardiness of up to -30° Celsius, the tuber can overwinter very well. The most important requirement is a little restraint when harvesting. You can find out why this is the case here. This is how you can properly overwinter Jerusalem artichokes in the bed and on the balcony.
How can I overwinter Jerusalem artichoke properly?
To successfully overwinter Jerusalem artichokes in the bed, harvest the tubers in autumn and plant back undamaged specimens. For balcony plants, cover the substrate with straw and wrap the pot with fleece or bubble wrap.
Harvest Jerusalem artichoke correctly – overwinter successfully
Perennial cultivation of Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus) in the vegetable patch is not a question of winter protection. Biting frost cannot harm the tubers. The crucial requirement is that there are still rhizomes in the soil. This premise requires the hobby gardener to harvest carefully. This is how it works:
- Best harvest time is autumn (October to November)
- Harvest Jerusalem artichokes when the herb is brown and wilted
- Lift tubers out of the ground with a digging fork, similar to potatoes
- Weed the bed, loosen it up and enrich it with compost soil
- Harvest tubers in the bucket with a hand shovel or pull out the plant
Select the best, undamaged specimens from among the freshly harvested Jerusalem artichoke tubers. Plant the rhizomes immediately 5 to 10 cm deep in the prepared soil at a distance of 50 to 60 cm. You should preferably fill a bucket with fresh, organic vegetable soil (€12.00 on Amazon) over a drainage made of lava granules before planting selected tubers and overwintering.
Overwintering Jerusalem artichokes – tips for beds and balconies
Frost-resistant Jerusalem artichoke tubers can basically overwinter in the bed without any winter protection. A cover made of straw, leaves or coarse compost is recommended as a buffer against winter moisture caused by snow or rain. All hardy tubers and flower bulbs, such as tulip bulbs, tend to rot if the soil is too wet.
Balcony gardeners protect Jerusalem artichokes in the pot against frost with a winter coat made of fleece or bubble wrap. The exposed position of the rhizomes recommends this protective measure. A wooden base protects against frost from below. If there is a warming layer of straw mulch on the substrate, frosty temperatures are prevented from reaching the tubers.
Tip
Always plant Jerusalem artichokes in the bed with a root barrier. The tuberous sunflower grows massively and mercilessly displaces neighboring plants. By lining a planting pit with an impenetrable geotextile, you stop the invasive urge to spread.
