The knobbly roots of Jerusalem artichokes are a great winter treat – although they are an acquired taste for some people. Try them roasted with pork or in a soup.
If you can’t cope with cleaning and peeling the roots, grow ‘Fuseau’ - a larger, smooth-skinned cultivar, that is easy to peel.
Plant small tubers in March or April in well-dug, well-fertilised soil. Plant 10cm (4in) deep and 30cm (12in) apart.
Tubers can also be grown in a large tubs filled with good garden soil &/or compost.
Plants need very little care and attention during the growing season and are rarely troubled by pests and diseases. As plants do grow tall they can make an effective screen, but may need some support in very exposed and windy sites.
Harvest as needed from November to February, lifting in the same way as potatoes. Expect about 1.8kg (4lb) per planted tuber.
Scrub and boil or steam until tender, then peel.
