[herbiegrowsbananas]

Hi

I have grown Jerusalem Artichokes for the first time this year and plan to dig them up after the first frosts as and when we need to.

My question is, I plan to pop some of my harvest back into the ground to harvest next year so do I need to fleece cover the ones I replant?

There is loads of aged manure in the patch I want to put them but I think they may need fleeced...?

[Kristen]

My next-years-crop comes from the ones I fail to harvest this year.  Not recommending that per se, but you might not need as much care and attention as you are planning.  As you harvest replant some good ones as you go?  Unless mice eat them, or they rot from extreme wet I think your problem will be getting rid of them, not trying to keep them!

[Nikkithefoot]

I'm with Kristen on this. I originally had 6 JA's which I planted several years ago. I have never had to replant. They do seem to get deeper and deeper with each passing year though. They are the one crop you can't use in a rotation otherwise every where would be contaminated with them.

If you want to dig them to keep for later you need to bury them in a spare patch, but beware you get them all out. They don't store once dug, but will restart growing come spring if you leave them.

[herbiegrowsbananas]

I think your problem will be getting rid of them, not trying to keep them!

Lol, this is what I'm hoping for  I am trying to make my plot as perennial as possible 

[Totty]

I would say it's definitely worth clearing and replanting with the best tubers you dig up late winter/early spring.
Ideally save tubers the size of a golf ball that are relatively smooth skinned.
By clearing and replanting each year, tuber size is better and they are easier to dig up. As mentioned before, they will get deeper and deeper year on year which makes them annoyingly invasive and difficult to control.

Totty

[BigPaddy]

Taste is very personal Herbie, but mt suggestion is eradicate them all now. If you have tasted them before and like them then fine, ignore me. If not, then try them now, before prolonging the pain.

For those who love f**ty chokes please excuse my negative attitude.

Paddy

[herbiegrowsbananas]

Paddy, I love them, that sweet nutty taste is amazing and we have spent a fortune on them from Waitrose and the likes in previous years, the whole family adore them, plus we don't fart much after them either lol