[LilacSandy]

Earlier this year I got some artichoke from the supermarket as it was going out of date.  I planted it in the allotment and it is now about 5' high.  I have no idea what type it is as I have never grown it before, can someone advise me when I would harvest the tubers please.

[Bing]

when you see them flowering...they are ready

[Kleftiwallah]

I presume you bought Jerusalem Artichokes, (looking like knobbly spuds).  They are a winter vegetable, bit of a pain to peel or scrape but they have a crisp nutty flavour and roast well.

They will stay in the ground all winter, just dig them up as you need them.  BEWARE, they tend to creep and be invasive.  I'll let you find out the 'other' drawbacks to artichokes.

Cheers,   Tony.