When is the best time to plant Jerusalem artichokes?

As a popular root vegetable, Jerusalem artichoke is deeply loved by people for its crisp texture and unique flavor, whether eaten raw or pickled. As time goes by, the scale of Jerusalem artichoke cultivation continues to expand and has become one of the key agricultural projects to increase farmers' income. Let’s take a look at when is the best time to plant Jerusalem artichokes?

When is the best time to plant Jerusalem artichokes?

Jerusalem artichoke, also known as devil ginger or five-star grass, looks similar to ginger, but the two are significantly different in nature. Jerusalem artichoke is not only edible, but can also be used to produce starch and alcohol. It has high economic value, so its planting prospects are broad. It is vital for farmers to understand the conditions and methods for growing Jerusalem artichokes. Jerusalem artichoke has strong adaptability and can grow in a variety of soil conditions, but it is not suitable for planting in acidic soil, swamps and saline-alkali areas. It prefers a cool and dry climate, is cold and drought resistant, and can safely survive the winter at temperatures as low as -30°C. However, the most suitable temperature range for Jerusalem artichoke growth is 18-22℃, and it needs 12 hours of light per day to promote tuber formation.

Jerusalem artichokes are usually planted in spring, especially between March and May. In the north, the best time to sow is in the spring, after the soil thaws. Jerusalem artichokes are propagated by tubers, which can be sown in holes or furrows. Before sowing, you need to loosen the soil and apply an appropriate amount of base fertilizer, but not too much. Sow seeds at a depth of about 10 cm and then cover with a layer of soil. After about 30 days, the Jerusalem artichoke seedlings will break through the soil. After germination, the key is to manage water and fertilizer to ensure healthy growth of the plants.

Jerusalem artichoke planting tips

1. Land selection

Although Jerusalem artichokes are not very demanding on the soil, in order to improve yield and quality, it is recommended to choose sandy loam or loam with deep, loose, fertile and good drainage. After selecting the plot, deep plowing about 30 cm deep is carried out to break up the plow bottom layer and enhance the permeability of the soil. Apply 2000 to 3000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer.

2. Seed selection and sowing

Choose healthy and disease-free Jerusalem artichoke tubers as seeds, preferably weighing between 50 and 70 grams. Before sowing, air the seeds for 1 to 2 days to increase germination rate. Sowing is usually carried out in spring from March to April when the local temperature is stable above 10℃. The sowing method can be hole sowing or row sowing, with row spacing maintained at 50 cm, plant spacing at 30 cm, and sowing depth of about 10 cm. Sow 1 to 2 tubers in each hole and cover with soil and compact it.

3. Field management

Intertillage and weeding: After Jerusalem artichokes emerge, intertillage and weeding should be carried out regularly to keep the soil loose and prevent weeds from competing for nutrients.

Water management: The soil needs to be kept moist during the growth of Jerusalem artichokes, especially during the tuber swelling period, when water requirements increase. At the same time, pay attention to drainage to prevent water accumulation and root rot.

Top dressing: According to the growth of Jerusalem artichoke, apply top dressing 1 to 2 times in a timely manner, mainly nitrogen fertilizer, combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, to promote tuber growth and improve quality.

Pest and disease control: The main diseases are rot, and the main pests are aphids. Prevention and control measures include selecting disease-resistant varieties, rational crop rotation, strengthening field management, and using biological pesticides .

4. Harvest and storage

Jerusalem artichokes are usually harvested around the beginning of autumn frost, when the upper stems and leaves of the plant turn yellow. To harvest, cut off the above-ground part first, then carefully dig out the tubers to avoid damage. After harvesting, the tubers are dried in the sun for 1 to 2 days and stored after the skin is dry. The storage location should be ventilated, dry and temperature-appropriate to prevent moisture and frost damage.

The above is an introduction to the planting time of Jerusalem artichokes . When planting Jerusalem artichokes, you need to consider the actual environment. In addition, if you want to achieve high yields, field management must also be in place.