Sun-seeking vegetable has mobile past

Press, 20 November 1981, Page 10

Sun-seeking vegetable has mobile past

GARDENING

by

M.Lusty

The Jerusalem artichoke is a little unusual when compared with other vegetables grown here, and it also has interesting background to name and origin. It is unusual in this part of the world in some home gardening because it never seems to be grown like conventional vegetables, — in organised fashion. Generally, one sees the occasional plant or two ascending from some odd part of the plot, with little or not attention paid to it until it is time to dig the tubers. - The name is a misnomer as this artchoke has no connection whatsoever with Jerusalem. When the French first arrived in Canada, they were forced to utilise many of the foods eaten by the native inhabitants, among them the artichoke. Samples were sent back to France, to England where it

was originally called Canadian potato, and some reached Italy. In Italy it was noted that the plant turned towards the sun, like one of its brethren, the sunflower. This habit is referred to as "girasole. - ' literally meaning turning to the sun. With the oft-occurring corruption of names, girasole is said to have evolved to become Jerusalem. This, at least, is a version of the early history of the Jerusalem artichoke, and how it got its name. Although there is a considerable selection of varieties to choose from overseas selection appears to be generally confined to a few of them; here, we have it would seem, no choice, but to rely on what we can get. Jerusalem artichokes are grown from tubers or even from sections thereof, pro-

viding they have two or three “etes” to each set. Planting is 100 mm deep and because'of the good yield and space taken up' by these

plants it is not often that more than two or three are grown. As plants generally reach 2.75 m or even more in height they make a good wind break; they’ are totally undemanding of the cultural attention usually associated with the cropping of most other vegetables.. Because Jerusalem artichokes grow fairly tall they provide good shelter for less hardy crops. However, when grown in light soils or if not planted deeply enough, threre is a possibility that strong wind can damage the tall, slightly brittle stems, and earthing up could be beneficial. Jerusalem artichokes benefit also from an extended growing season, the flavour of the tubers improv-

ing the longer that they are left in the ground. It is usual to leave them at least until the tops begin to die off. in late autumn, when they are best lifted as required. Great care must be exercised in digging up the tubers to ensure that none are finally left in the ground. Any which remain will come up in the ■ following year and this could well mark the beginning ot a battle to restrict them to one place. In fact, most plants seem to be the off-spring of the previous crop, and many of the home grown plantings are original. The somewhat knobbly, waxy textured tubers of the Jerusalem artichoke, which are starchless and somewhat sweet to taste, are used in soups, stews, and boiled or roasted like potatoes, or can even be eaten raw.