An essential survival food and a mainstay in the perennial vegetable garden, either because of it’s popularity or gardeners inability to get rid of it after it’s planted, Sunchoke is a tough, productive and easy to grow member of the Aster family that produces tons of edible tubers. Clumps of small sunflowers produce cheery little yellow flowers and spread to form colonies that are vigorous but not difficult to maintain. Sunchokes are also frequently known as Jerusalem Artichokes, though they have no relation to either Jerusalem or Artichokes, though there is a flavor similarity to the artichoke which may explain the name.

Also, be warned that the Sunchoke has aquired the nickname of Jerusalem “Fartichoke” due to the presence of a carbohydrate called inulin that is not easily digestible and may cause a serious rumble in the tumble especially for those with sensitive stomachs. Many gardeners and chefs have found ways around this issue by various methods such as peeling the skin, soaking the tubers first, harvesting at certain times or from certain parts of the clump of tubers, and various cooking techniques. There exist many great recipes for turning the Sunchoke into a true delicacy and you won’t soon find an easier perennial vegetable to grow.

Latin Name: Helianthus tuberosus
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Minus 30-40° F.
Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 5-7 ft. high and spreading qui
Bloom Time: Spring
Ripening Time: Tubers are ready in fall.
Yield: 5-10 lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Climbing Yams are not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 3
Sunset Western Zone: Not listed
Sunset Northeast Zone: Not listed

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Homesteader’s Kaleidoscopic Perennial Kale Grex was developed by plant breeder and brassica-ologist Chris Homanics from crossing the perennial kale bush varieties ‘Purple Tree Collard’ and ‘Daubenton’ to a variety of other colored kales, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and more. Out of this grex (mix) came all sorts of leaf shapes and colors. Long and thin to ruffled, smooth, flat, or wide. Colors like yellow green, red, dark purple, variegated white and pink, and solid green.

Selected from the beginning for flavor and texture with the kitchen in mind. Loved by chefs and the eaters alike. Careful selection of thousands and thousands of plants over years has honed in on the hardiest and longest living plants which vigorously grow to become large sprawling bushes. These are huge perennials bigger than typical kale and need at least 3 feet apart!

Trialed successfully in most regions of the country. Growers will find it performs well both in drought and winter cold down to zone 6. Once winter sets in, you will be surprised as some of the plants will begin to show beautiful splashes of color.

Most plants will flower in the second year and then continue growing later in the season. You can create new plants by taking woody stem cuttings of your best plants. Finally, in the early Fall, prune these plants to stimulate fresh new growth as you would other perennials.

Post your pictures – show what you grow!

From the Head, Hands, Heart

Thanks goes to our friend Graham Jenkins-Belohorska for his forethought and luck in achieving the initial cross between bush kales, finally showing that it was possible to get seed again from these plants.

Released under the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) license which reads:

“You have the freedom to use these OSSI seeds in any way you choose. In return, you pledge not to restrict other’s use of these seeds or their derivatives by patents or other means, and to include this pledge with any transfer of these seeds or their derivatives.”

As required by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Washington Crucifer Seed Quarantine this seed was tested by OSU and found to be free from Blackleg fungus (Leptosphaeria maculans).

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