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Home , Jerusalem artichoke

Jerusalem , an edible ‘sunflower’

CHRIS RUSCH Any tubers not harvest- good idea both for weed Master Gardener ed can be left to grow for control and soil moisture uestion: I came next year’s crop. They conservation. A yearly across a holiday are free from disease, application of rich com- recipe calling highly productive and post can help to maintain Q for sunchokes. completely frost hardy. desirable fertility. What can you tell be Chris Rusch They do have a tendency Growing Jerusalem about this unusual vege- Master Gardener to spread so they must in your home table? What are your rec- be cultivated with care or garden can be an interest- ommended techniques they may become trou- ing and rewarding experi- for growing them? Jerusalem artichokes blesome. For this reason, ence. If you care for your Answer: The Jerusalem from to it is best to give them an properly, you can artichoke ( in 1605. By the out-of-the-way, some- obtain enough sunchokes tuberosus) is a tuberous mid-1600s it was widely what permanent planting for your family from a rel- rooted perennial sun- used as a human food location that is a reason- atively small area for many flower of the Aster family and livestock feed there. able distance from other years. (). The ’s In fact, Jerusalem arti- garden vegetables or underground fist-sized, chokes are more favored flowers. A good location Do you have a gardening PIXABAY.COM knobby tuber is charac- as a food plant in may be along the garden question? Please The flower of Jerusalem artichokes, also known as sun- edge where the tall sun- terized by its nutty and and China than in North chokes, resemble the closely related sunflower. email, call, or visit the sweet flavor. The tuber America. chokes won’t overshad- Douglas County Master is also called a sunchoke Today some of the artichokes have almost Plant the tubers in the ow other plants. They Gardener Plant Clinic at since its small flowers re- types grown are, in fact, no . Because of these fall or early spring. Plant are also useful to use as a douglasmg@oregonstate. semble those of its close French cultivars, such as facts, medical authorities the individual tubers 2 to colorful screen. edu, 541-672-4461, or relative the sunflower. White and Red Fuseau. strongly recommend it 3 inches deep spaced 24 Mulching your Jeru- 1134 S.E. Douglas Ave., The stems are stout, pu- There are many varieties, as a substitute for other to 30 inches apart. Since salem artichokes is a Roseburg. bescent and grow 3 to 12 but only a few heirlooms . the plants can reach 6 feet in height. are extant and even they They can be eaten raw feet in height, you should The plant bears many are hard to find. The cul- or cooked, and are a allow a couple of feet be- yellow flower heads in tivar that is most widely sweeter, nuttier veg- tween rows. The Jerusa- Wildlife late August and Septem- available is Stampede. It etable than potatoes. lem artichoke needs wa- Winter Events! ber that are approximate- produces prolific clus- Sunchokes can be used in ter only during extremely ly 2 to 3 inches in diam- ters of white, fat tubers. many of the same recipes dry periods. The plants ZOOLIGHTS eter. The blades are Other varieties include as potatoes. Their crisp, themselves can survive up to 9 inches long and 4 Clearwater and Golden white flesh is excellent long dry periods, but the Santa and Mrs. Claus are on their way from the North Pole and all the animals in the Safari Village are getting into the inches across. The thick, Nugget. Waldspinel, an raw, sliced into salads or tubers will not develop festive mood! rough textured Austrian cultivar, yields served with a dip. They without a regular sup- Dec. 14, 15 & 16 • 5-8pm • Just $5 per person have coarse hairs on the small, deep red fingerling can also be baked, boiled, ply of water. The large, upper surface and fine type tubers. The name mashed or fried, and woody tops that resemble ELEPHANT EELVES pubescence underneath. translates as “Gem of the prepared in combination sunflowers should be cut Join Wildlife Safari’s Elephants as they celebrate the holidays They are opposite on the Forest”. with other vegetables. off above the ground be- by hosting a Christmas extravaganza in the elephant barn! lower part of the plant As a food, Jerusalem Jerusalem artichokes fore harvesting, usually Dec. 14, 15 & 16 • 12pm- 3pm • $35 per person and alternate on the up- artichokes are quite are easy to grow. Jerusa- around September. Since per part. nutritious, with measur- lem artichokes grow in freezing doesn’t injure BBREAKFASTR WITH The Jerusalem arti- able amounts of several almost any type of soil the Jerusalem artichokes, SANTASA choke is an American essential minerals and that gets at least six hours the tubers are best left The fun doesn’t stop there, as classic family photos with native through and . The sunchoke of sunshine per day. They in the ground and can be Santa and cheetahs begin! through. Native Amer- is 100 percent starchless. thrive best in a well- dug as needed. Also, a Dec. 15 & 16 icans grew it for centu- It stores its carbohydrates drained garden soil with supply can be harvested Starting at 9am $14.95 for Adults For more info: ries as a staple food. The in the form of rath- high fertility, especially and stored in plastic bags wildlifesafari.net/safarievents $9.95 for under 12 541-679-6761 ext 228 explorer Champlain took er than . Jerusalem . in the refrigerator. + $10 per Cheetah Photo