Jerusalem artichoke advice please

There were some growing on the edge of our allotments where people chuck stuff like an informal compost heap and so I have dug them up as the foliage was dying I wanted to know where they are. I have read up on them and found they are best planted in late winter/spring.
Will it be ok to plant them on my allotment know or should I keep them somewhere before planting later?
My philosophy on the lottie is that they have 2 chances but would rather do it properly if I can so they aren't wasted.
Cheers

Thanks Gillie
They probably were short on water as they looked like they have just been thrown on. There are white swellings on the roots like shoots though so will plant soon and see how they go.
Cheers