[harry]

Has anyone grown these as a veg

[Kleftiwallah]

Yes, I have with great results.  We grew a variety called Feasuea (or similar) due to it being less 'knobbly' and easier to peel. 

Cheers,  Tony.

[harry]

Thanks for the reply I’ve just bought some of that variety, is their anything I need to think about when planting.

[Kleftiwallah]

Yes, how are you going to make adequate excuses for the flatulence!!!

Cheers,  Tony.

[New shoot]

Yes, how are you going to make adequate excuses for the flatulence!!!

Cheers,  Tony.

 

They are renowned for that, but do have really unfortunate effects on the digestive system of some people.  I had to stop growing them as OH was dreadful with them 

They are very easy to grow and can become invasive.  They also grow very tall, so site them where they won't shade other crops.

You can leave them in year on year, but you do tend to get a tangles mess of tubers if you do.  If you dig them up each year, you can harvest what you want and then replant some for next year.  You never get them all, so be sparing with the replanting.

Other than that, leave them to get on with it 

[wolveryeti]

Lacto-fermenting is meant to reduce the flatulous effect.

Bomb proof plants IMO- don't really need much. I trim them if they grow over 6ft as that makes them more prone to wind damage.

[wighty]

We like them so decided to buy a bag of six tubers and planted them.  Yes they grow tall and spread out underground almost as far as they grow tall.  My husband also has a 'wind' problem with them which is probably why they are jokingly called 'fartichokes'.  They need no maintenance as such but you will never dig up all the the tubers and they will be there for ages.

[harry]

Just received 5 tubers, when can they be planted
It’s a pity about the flatulence, my wife tells me I’m already prone to that

[Mr Dog]

Just received 5 tubers, when can they be planted
It’s a pity about the flatulence, my wife tells me I’m already prone to that

They're pretty hardy and would be starting to sprout about now if already in, so no harm planting them now, although I'd advise growing in large pots to prevent them escaping/spreading if you can. Lovely roasted or in soups and stews - carrot and artichoke soup is a favourite here - although we have to limit how many we eat to minimise the possibility of blowing the house up!

[coldandwindy]

Just received 5 tubers, when can they be planted
It’s a pity about the flatulence, my wife tells me I’m already prone to that

Plant them now. I just sorted mine out yesterday & I'm a lot further north than you. I dig up all that we haven't already eaten & select 5 or 6 healthy looking ones to replant. They were just starting to have buds on them. Not much other maintenance. We cut them off when they get to about 4 ft high - but its VERY windy here so you might be ok to miss that bit. I also stamp the ground down well round them once they're growing well,  to deter voles.
Generally if it makes you fart then its doing you (not your neighbour) good but if it worries you, start with small doses in soups or stews until you get used to digesting them. :-)