Amazing Artichoke : Growing in a Scottish Climate

Guest post blog by Katrina & Clayton

Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus), despite their name, have no connection to Jerusalem and are not related to globe artichokes. These tall, sunflower like plants are grown for their underground tubers, which are edible and rich in inulin, a dietary fiber. They are a versatile, hardy crop ideally suited to the Scottish climate. Once planted, Jerusalem artichokes require minimal maintenance and grow harvests year after year.

The main edible part of the Jerusalem artichoke plant is the tuber. These knobbly, pale brown tubers have a nutty, sweet flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are often used in soups, roasted, or sliced into salads. Raw tubers have a crisp texture similar to water chestnuts, while cooking them brings out a creamy, earthy flavor.

Growing Jerusalem Artichokes in Scotland

Jerusalem artichokes are a robust perennial vegetable that thrives in cool, temperate climates. In Scotland, their tolerance for cold temperatures and wet conditions makes them an excellent addition to a low maintenance garden. These plants can grow up to 2–3 metres tall, forming dense screens with cheerful yellow flowers in late summer. While they are relatively carefree, they benefit from consistent watering and regular harvesting to prevent overcrowding and ensure larger tubers.

Growing Jerusalem artichokes offers dual benefits: not only do you get a highly nutritious, root like vegetable, but the tall, thick foliage also serves as an attractive natural windbreak or privacy screen. They grow vigorously and can become invasive if not managed properly, so regular digging and division are important, as well as planting in the correct space in your garden. We have ours in very tall raised beds so to prevent spread across the garden.

Planting

Jerusalem artichokes are typically planted in early spring, once the risk of hard frost has passed, usually from March in Scotland. They are grown from tubers rather than seeds, much like potatoes.

To plant them, choose a sunny spot with plenty of room. Although they can tolerate some shade, full sun encourages the healthiest plants and best tuber development. Prepare the ground by loosening the soil and mixing in compost to improve fertility and drainage. Caledonian Green Goodness is a peat free soil improver, is great for this.

Plant tubers 10–15 cm deep and around 30 cm apart in rows spaced 75–90 cm apart. The tubers will begin sprouting within a few weeks, and tall green stems will soon emerge. Water the newly planted area thoroughly and mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Make sure you have them somewhere you don’t mind them spreading or contain them in a raised bed.

Pruning

While Jerusalem artichokes don’t require traditional pruning in the way that shrubs or fruit trees do, some maintenance of the plant’s above ground growth can help direct more energy into tuber production.

During the growing season, particularly in midsummer, it is advisable to cut back the stems by around one third once they reach 1.5 to 2 metres in height. This encourages more compact growth and can reduce the risk of wind damage. It also encourages the plant to focus energy on developing tubers rather than excessive vertical growth.

Once flowering has finished in late autumn and the plants begin to die back, the stems can be cut down to soil level. This allows you to access the tubers more easily and keeps the garden tidy over winter.

Dividing

Jerusalem artichokes spread naturally underground via their tubers, so dividing them is part of their routine maintenance and propagation. This is best done in late autumn after the tops have died back or in early spring before growth resumes.

To divide the plants, dig up the clumps and carefully separate the tubers. Select healthy, firm tubers for replanting and remove any damaged or overly small ones. Replant the selected tubers in well prepared soil following the usual planting method. Dividing the crop helps prevent overcrowding, which can lead to smaller tubers and increased competition for nutrients.

Additionally, because they can spread aggressively, dividing the plants annually or biannually is a good way to keep them in check and maintain productive yields.

Care

Jerusalem artichokes are low maintenance plants, but there are a few key care practices to ensure a healthy crop. Regular watering is essential during dry spells, especially in the early stages of growth and while the tubers are forming. However, overwatering should be avoided to prevent rot.

Mulching around the base of the plants helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Throughout the growing season, keep an eye out for aphids, slugs, and snails, although pest problems are typically minimal.

Tall plants may need support in windy areas of Scotland. Using stakes or growing them along a fence can help prevent them from falling over. At the end of the growing season, remove spent foliage and compost it to prevent disease and improve garden hygiene.

Companion Planting

Jerusalem artichokes can be excellent companions in the garden but can also dominate the space if not managed carefully. Their tall growth makes them effective as windbreaks or screens for more delicate plants.

Suitable companion plants include:

Beans: Benefit from wind protection and do not compete heavily for the same soil nutrients.

Corn: Similar height and growth habits, creating a natural microclimate.

Spinach and Lettuce: Can be grown at the base where shade from artichoke foliage helps protect them from excessive sun during summer.

Avoid planting Jerusalem artichokes near potatoes, as both are tuber producing crops and can compete for underground space. Additionally, their vigorous nature can smother less hardy neighbours, so give them space to thrive.

Best Soil for Jerusalem Artichokes

The ideal soil for Jerusalem artichokes is loose, fertile, and well draining, with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.5 to 7.5). Heavy clay soils should be improved with organic matter or avoided entirely, as they can hinder tuber development and make harvesting difficult.

Before planting, dig in generous amounts of compost or aged manure to improve soil structure and fertility. Jerusalem artichokes are tolerant of poor soil but will produce higher yields in rich, well-cared-for beds. Raised beds or deep borders can be especially useful in Scottish gardens, where heavy rain can compact soils.

Avoid waterlogged conditions, especially in winter, as tubers may rot. Mulching heavily in autumn can help insulate the soil and prevent water pooling. Soil should be kept consistently moist during the growing season, especially when tubers are forming in late summer.

Jerusalem artichokes are a fantastic addition to Scottish gardens, thriving in cool, damp conditions and providing a unique, edible crop with minimal input. Their tall stature, cheerful flowers and productive tubers make them a multi-functional plant for any garden.

Katrina & Clayton

Katrina & Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire in Scotland and share their daily life in the garden on instagram @buildingfoodforest_scotland. They practice permaculture principles, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.

Clayton Completed The Grow and Learn Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society in 2022. This year he will be completing Level 2 Nurture Course. Clayton is 16, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 6yrs. Both Katrina and husband Peter have studied the Permaculture Design Course PDC and PDC Pro over the last 5yrs, developing their garden from grass to an ongoing food forest.

They have featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens, Gardeners World Magazine and write for Scotland Grows Magazine.  Katrina has a series of children’s story books out following the life of Clayton in the garden. Available at Amazon.

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