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Growing Jerusalem artichoke on a plot is easier than getting a potato crop. The culture adapts well to the soil. Tubers can overwinter in the ground and produce a harvest the following year. The technology for growing earthen pears has much in common with potato cultivation. Tubers are most often planted in the spring.
Choosing the right variety
There are about 300 varieties of Jerusalem artichoke. The crop is grown in many countries. The following varieties are popular among domestic farmers and private gardeners:
- "Interest" belongs to the late variety. Jerusalem artichoke has gained popularity due to its white tubers with a smooth surface. The eyes are small, which makes cleaning the root vegetable easier. Productivity reaches 3.8 kg/m2. The tubers have time to fully ripen only in the south. The time for harvesting the earthen pear is approximately mid-November.
- "Omsk White" considered a new variety. In terms of ripening time, the crop is mid-season.One earthen bush produces up to 23 round-shaped tubers weighing about 50 g. Productivity reaches 4.3 kg/m2. Harvest ripening is smooth. The stems grow up to 2.3 m high.
- «Pasko"Likewise can be considered a new variety. Registration in the State Register was carried out in 2010. The culture is considered late-ripening. The bush is medium-sized. The height of the stems is about 1.5 m. The white tubers grow of medium size, weighing about 50 g, large ones weighing up to 80 g. The yield reaches 3 kg/m2.
- «Skorospelka"has been known to domestic gardeners since the post-Soviet space. The registration of culture was carried out back in 1965. The harvest of the early variety ripens in 120 days. The time for harvesting the earthen pear is the end of September. Productivity reaches 3 kg/m2.
- «Solar"is a high-yielding variety. From 1 m2 up to 4 kg of oval-shaped tubers are collected. Harvest ripening occurs after 170 days. The bushes grow tall. The length of the stems is up to 3 m. The mass of tubers is from 40 to 60 g.
In addition to the popular varieties listed, domestic farmers and gardeners grow many other varieties of Jerusalem artichoke.
How does Jerusalem artichoke reproduce?
Perennial Jerusalem artichoke reproduces similarly to potatoes - by tubers. They are planted whole, cut into pieces, or eyes are used. The earthen pear quickly takes root. Sometimes it is even difficult to remove the crop from the garden.
How to plant Jerusalem artichoke
By following the rules for planting Jerusalem artichoke and care, planting dates, you can grow a good harvest even on the balcony. However, most often the earthen pear is planted in the garden like regular potatoes.
When to plant Jerusalem artichoke
In order not to make a mistake with the timing, it is better to plant Jerusalem artichokes in the spring at about the same time as potatoes. For different regions this period falls from April to May. Jerusalem artichoke tubers will sprout well if the soil is heated to a temperature of + 7 OC. You cannot delay planting even with early varieties. Jerusalem artichoke requires time before the onset of cold weather to fully form the harvest.
Selecting a location and preparing beds
Jerusalem artichoke grows on any soil. Nutritious soils and sunny areas are preferred. The earthen pear does not grow in swampy, acidic soil and salt marshes. When growing Jerusalem artichoke in the country, sandy loam and loam are considered excellent soil. The soil must be fertilized and kept moist. From fertilizers, before planting Jerusalem artichoke, humus, phosphorus and potassium are scattered on the ground, after which they are dug up.
A place on the site for Jerusalem artichoke is usually allocated at the end of the garden or a separate bed is laid out. Among garden crops, earthen pear is not grown. Jerusalem artichoke absorbs large amounts of nutrients and moisture from the ground. Neighboring plants are oppressed and produce poor harvests. Another problem is the rapid establishment of tubers. During the harvest of the earthen pear, small root crops remain in the ground, sometimes even parts cut with a shovel. With plowing, the tubers stretch throughout the garden, and in the spring they quickly germinate and become weeds. It is very difficult to remove them without the use of Roundup.
If you decide to allocate space for planting an earthen pear in the garden, then the crop can be grown in place of potatoes, cucumbers, legumes or cabbage.Jerusalem artichoke takes root well after green manure or grain crops. You cannot plant an earthen pear in an area where sunflowers or carrots grew. Do not place beds with crops near low-growing garden plants. Tall, dense Jerusalem artichoke bushes create great shade and complicate ventilation of the area.
At the dacha, you can use large containers for planting earthen pears. They are placed around the yard in a convenient place. In addition, Jerusalem artichoke blooms with beautiful yellow inflorescences. In addition to the harvest of useful tubers, the owner additionally receives a flower garden.
How to plant Jerusalem artichoke in spring
There are two options for planting tubers in open ground in the spring:
- In the southern regions, furrows are cut. The tubers of the earthen pear are laid out in the grooves and covered with soil.
- If the region is characterized by a cold climate and prolonged rains, the tubers are planted in ridges. The option is still acceptable for warm regions where groundwater is high in the area.
In the garden bed, the row spacing is left at 60-80 cm. In the groove, the earthen pear tubers are laid out in increments of 60-70 cm. The planting pattern depends on the varietal characteristics of the crop.
At what depth to plant Jerusalem artichoke?
In the spring, there is no point in burying earthen pear tubers deeply. They need to germinate faster. It will be enough to deepen the planting material by 6-12 cm.
How to grow Jerusalem artichoke in open ground
The process of planting Jerusalem artichoke in open ground and caring for the plantings is simple. The culture is unpretentious and requires minimal labor.
Watering schedule
The earthen pear is watered only in dry summers. Each bush requires about 15 liters of water.If the summer is cloudy with periodic rains, you don’t have to worry about watering the Jerusalem artichoke. The plant will have enough natural moisture, and excess watering will only cause tuber rot.
Do I need to feed
As for fertilizers, the agricultural technology for growing Jerusalem artichoke involves fertilizing. On nutritious soils you can do without them. The minerals and organic matter added before planting in the spring will suffice. However, for a better harvest of earthen pear, nitrogen and potassium are added at the initial stage while loosening the soil to accelerate growth. When buds appear on the stems, the bushes are topped up with liquid organic matter or mineral complexes dissolved in water. In July, you can top up the bushes once with an infusion of green manure or seaweed.
Garter
Some varieties of earthen pear have tall stems up to 3 m. Strong gusts of wind cause the bushes to break and spread across the garden bed. When the stems of a tall variety of earthen pear stretch above 1 m, they are tied to a support. Ordinary stakes will do, or simple trellises can be installed. If Jerusalem artichoke bushes grow near a picket fence, they are tied to the slats with a rope.
Bush pruning
According to the rules of Jerusalem artichoke agricultural technology, cultivation and care require pruning. Many gardeners ignore the procedure. There is nothing wrong, but the yield will decrease. The powerful green mass of the plant absorbs many nutrients. At the end of July, it is advisable to prune the bushes. The flowers that appear decorate the area, but they also affect the yield. It is better to pick off the inflorescences.Pruning helps redirect nutrients from the green mass of Jerusalem artichoke to the development of root crops.
How to grow Jerusalem artichoke at home
To grow Jerusalem artichoke in the country, you first need to properly prepare the planting material. The process consists of three steps:
- Ripened tubers are selected for planting. It is advisable to take large root vegetables with a large number of intact eyes. High-quality tubers are guaranteed to germinate and bring a rich harvest.
- Sluggish tubers are subjected to resuscitation if they are in good condition and ready for planting. Root vegetables are immersed in a bucket of warm water for 10 minutes and covered with a damp cloth.
- Treating tubers before planting with drugs to strengthen the immune system will protect the crop from diseases. Root crops will germinate faster and development will accelerate.
After preparation, the tubers are planted in the garden or in containers. In both options the care is the same. Only the frequency of watering differs. In containers, soil dries out faster. Watering is carried out as needed.
Watch the video for more details about growing Jerusalem artichoke:
Diseases and pests of Jerusalem artichoke
At first glance, it seems that nothing can harm the earthen pear. However, occasionally such a resilient culture is endangered.
Among the diseases that will harm the plant:
- Sclerotinia is better known as white rot. Infestation is determined by white mold. It forms on the stems, and the infection spreads from the ground. Over time, black growths appear under the mold. The diseased plant disappears and infects neighboring bushes. It must be immediately removed and thrown into the fire. Sclerotinia forms in damp summers due to high humidity and temperature changes.
- Alternaria blight destroys the green mass of Jerusalem artichoke. The disease is common, and it is determined by the change in color of the leaf blades. They turn brown with yellow areas. Sometimes a yellow border forms along the edge of the leaf. The leaves gradually dry out along with the petioles, fall off or remain hanging on the stem. The control method is to spray the plants with fungicides. At the time of treatment, the weather outside should be warm, windless with an air temperature above +18OC. It is advisable to repeat the procedure after 10 days.
- Powdery mildew forms on the upper part of the leaf blade. A sign of the disease is a white coating with a loose structure. As development continues, the plaque becomes brown. The sheet plate becomes brittle and crumbles like glass. The peak of the disease is the period when there are changes in temperature and humidity. A large accumulation of nitrogen has a negative effect. Fungicides are optimal for treatment. The bushes are sprayed with the preparations.
Among the pests of the earthen pear, the most dangerous are those living in the soil. Mole crickets, slugs, and other beetles destroy tubers. If there is an annual danger on the site, before planting, the drug “Diazonon” or “Foxim” is added to the ground.
Conclusion
Any summer resident who does not have much experience can grow Jerusalem artichoke on a plot of land. Under any circumstances, there will be a harvest in the fall. As you acquire skills, you can experiment with varieties and increase productivity.
We bought seeds because... In our city, no one could find tubers, and information on how to properly germinate Jerusalem artichoke seeds cannot be found.