JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 956, 26 April 1930, Page 32

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES

The so-called ‘ Jerusalem” artichoke which, by the way, has no connection whatever with the Holy Land, but obtains its name from a corruption of the Italian name "Girosolo,” is in reality a tuberous rooted sunflower. There are few vegetable crops that afford the amateur such bountiful yields as this liberal garden tenant, and as it is fortunately adapted to a very great range of soils—much more so than the potato—it is within the cultivation bounds of all. From an agricultural point of view it is considered a most valuable crop, both the leaves and the tubers being readily availed of by stock. It is a phenomenal yielder and in some districts has been known to produce a return of 1,000 bushels, about 30 tons, to the acre. But our remarks will be chiefly directed to its economic value to the home gardener. Where artichokes are to grow in the home plot, it is always advisable to apportion them a piece of ground to themselves, as once cultivated in a certain area they are most difficult to eradicate. The smallest tuber left in the soil after digging will produce a plant. The soil for this crop should he deeply trenched and thoroughly broken up. An open, sunny position, sheltered from high winds, is always preferable. as the plant produces lengthy stems, from 5 to 9ft high, which are liable to be blown over in exposed parts. Feed the soil, for the plant requires it, but do not overfeed, as the production of useless top growth will be produced to the detriment of the resulting crop. When planting bear in mind that the smallest tuber will produce a plant. Place the tubers from 18in to 3ft apart, in the rows, according to available space, and run the rows 3ft apart. Well decomposed stable manure, used moderately, but thoroughly incorporated with the soil, constitutes the best food for tuber production. Artichokes should be planted during July. August and September. Very little cultivation is required other

than suppressing weed growth between the rows from time to time with the rake or hoe. But this practice should be discontinued immediately the tubers commence to form, otherwise injury to the crop will result. Unlike the potato, artichokes require no hilling. During the dry summer months copious waterings are essential to maintain a vigorous growth. Usually the crop is ready for digging during the late autumn and early winter months, after the foliage has completely died off. It is, however, not advisable to dig t:ie whole crop at once as the quality of the tubers is seriously affected by long keeping. Dig, therefore, as required. The remaining tubers will keep for weeks in the soil. Apart from their value as a delicious table vegetable, artichokes produce a profusion of golden petalled blooms, similar in every respect to a sunflower, and are occasionally grown for this purpose alone. For ordinary household requirements two pounds of tubers will be ample for the average home plot. These may be purchased for a few pence from any of the popular City seed or vegetable stores. Artichokes should be more extensively grown in this country, and we strongly advise every householder to include this appetising dish in the home vegetable garden. REMINDERS The time for planting fruit trees will soon be here. Prepare the ground now by deep digging and incorporating old manure. Late autumn is a good time for planting strawberries. Select an open sunny position. Prepare the ground for planting asparagus and rhubarb. As -these crops remain in thq ground for many years, you cannot be too thorough in soil preparation. If not already sown, flowering sweet peas should be planted without delay. The ground should be well trenched, and the seeds should be sown in drills where they are to remain, subsequently thining out to the required distances.