Sunchokes: A Versatile Crop for Your Homestead!
Jerusalem artichokes, also known as sunchokes, are a bit of an oddity, but they offer a unique combination of benefits for both humans and livestock. Today I will share a bit on how to grow this funky tuber, how to prepare them for your table, their nutritional value for humans, their feed value for your livestock, and their potential as a survival crop.
Growing Sunchokes
Jerusalem artichokes are very easy to grow, making them a great addition to virtually any homestead. Here's how you can get started:
1. Planting: Plant Jerusalem artichoke tubers in well-drained soil in the spring or fall, similar to how you would plant potatoes. Choose a sunny location for optimal growth. They can tolerate a wide range of soils as long as it is well draining to prevent tuber rot.
2. Spacing and Depth: Plant tubers about 3-6 inches deep and space them around 12-24 inches apart to allow room for their spreading growth habit.
3. Maintenance: You certainly can weed and water for the highest yields… but you can also just plant and forget these! They do excellently on neglect.
4. Harvest: Jerusalem artichokes are typically ready to harvest in late fall after the plants have died back. Dig them up carefully to avoid damaging the tubers. If you do not expect heavy snow fall you can leave them in ground and just harvest as needed. Otherwise harvest them and store them unwashed in the fridge or root cellar.
*Note that these are aggressive spreaders somewhat like mint… so plant them where you don’t mind them naturalizing or put them in a container if you don’t want them to spread.
Preparing Sunchokes
Jerusalem artichokes can be used in a variety of ways and have a somewhat nutty, slightly sweet flavor. Here's how to prepare them:
1. Cleaning: Scrub the tubers under cool water to remove any dirt or debris.
2. Peeling (optional): You can peel Jerusalem artichokes if desired, but it's not necessary. The skin is edible and contains additional nutrients.
3. Cooking: Jerusalem artichokes can be roasted, boiled, sautéed, or even eaten raw in salads. They make a great addition to soups and stews as well.
Nutritional Value for Humans
Jerusalem artichokes are a nutritious addition to your diet:
- Vitamins: They provide essential vitamins such as vitamin C, B vitamins, and folate.
- Minerals: Jerusalem artichokes contain potassium, iron, and magnesium.
- Inulin: These tubers are high in inulin, a type of prebiotic fiber that can benefit gut health.
Feed Value for Livestock
Jerusalem artichokes aren't just for humans. They also make a valuable addition to livestock feed:
- High Protein: about 20-28% protein in the leaves and stems makes them a good option for cattle, sheep, pigs, and even poultry!
- Easy to Grow: They require minimal care and can come back year after year!
- Sustainable: Growing Jerusalem artichokes as animal feed can be a sustainable practice, reducing the need for conventional grains and reduce your reliance on the supply chain!
Potential as a Survival Crop
Jerusalem artichokes have gained attention as a potential survival crop for several reasons:
- Hardiness: They are resilient and can grow in various soil types and climates.
- Storage: Tubers can be left in the ground for extended periods, providing a reliable food source when needed.
- Nutrition: Their nutritional content can help meet essential dietary needs during challenging times as well as supplement your animal feed during hard times.
Whether you're a gardener looking to diversify your crops, a homesteader trying to grow more of your animals feed, or preparing for uncertain times, consider adding Jerusalem artichokes to your repertoire for a more sustainable and resilient future!
Where To Find Tubers?
You can usually find sunchoke tubers seasonally at health food stores or in some seed catalogs. I got my original stock from Azure Standard and they have done incredibly well for me since first planting them in 2020.
