Topinambour, also known as Jerusalem artichokes, is a plant grown for its edible tubers. It produces bright yellow sunflower-like flowers and tubers underground. The tubers can be planted in fall or spring in sunny areas with fertile, well-draining soil. Jerusalem artichokes grow quickly to 3 meters tall and produce up to 70 tubers per plant. The tubers are harvested in fall or after frost and can be eaten raw or cooked in many dishes, providing nutrients and acting as a natural sugar regulator for diabetics. Topinambour is a versatile crop that is easy to grow, resistant to frost, and productive for gardens or polytunnels.

1. Topinambour
- cultivation in
a polytunnel
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CULTIVATION

2. TOPINAMBOUR
Topinambour is also referred to as
Jerusalem artichokes. In gardens, it is
planted both as a decorative and
edible plant. The bright yellow
flowers look exceptionally attractive
on display, and the underground
part of Jerusalem artichoke makes
tasty tubers. One plant is able to
produce up to 70 of them!
Topinambour has many valuable
nutritional and healing properties. It
is recommended for diabetics and
people with high blood sugar, acting
as a natural regulator thanks to the
inulin contained in the roots

3. WHAT IS JERUSALEM
ARTICHOKE?
The plant has been cultivated by
Indians in North America for a
long time. With time, it made its
way to Europe. In Poland, it
appeared in 1730, becoming part
of the Silesian cuisine. The
French call it perennial sun,
while the English named it
Jerusalem artichoke.
Topinambour consists of a high
stem reaching up to 3.5 m and
green leaves. The lower leaves
have a heart shape, but those
located closer to the top of the
plant, get a more ovoid shape.
Bright yellow flowers strongly
resemble the well-known
sunflower , even though they are
much smaller.

4. WHAT REQUIREMENTS DOES
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE HAVE?
Although the plant is very easy to grow, it
needs a sunny site and warm soil in order
to optimally mature. The more fertile the
substrate, the more mature the yield.
Although on clay soil, Jerusalem artichoke
gives fewer tubers, it cope much better on
less fertile ground than, for example,
potatoes.
SOIL
Jerusalem artichoke is planted from tubers.
To guarantee a good yield, about 15 tubers
are needed for about one square meter . In
November or December, the tubers are
placed at a depth of 15 cm, or just 10 cm if
we intend to plant in spring
PLANTING
Topinambour can be grown for a
maximum of 3 years in the same place,
after which the soil needs to be enriched
with the missing ingredients. It is a very
invasive plant, so you have to remember to
remove all underground parts when you
stop growing it.
POSITIONING

5. SPACING
When planting Jerusalem artichoke in rows, you need to keep an interval of 0.7 to 1m,
and 60 cm between plants. However, if you are admirers of Jerusalem artichokes and
have access to a large polytunnel, it is worth keeping a distance of 1.5 m between the
rows.

6. HARVEST OF JERUSALEM
ARTICHOKE
Tubers can be harvested in
autumn until the first frosts. It is
much better to collect them after
the frost, because the plant then
develops a more intense flavor.
Unfortunately, despite robustness
during cultivation, it is poorly
suited to storage after harvesting,
which is why it is much better to
pick it directly from the ground.
That way, you will be able to enjoy
fresh crops even during the winter.
If the foil adequately protects from
the cold, the soil will be so soft
enough to extract the tuber from
the ground without any problem.

7. USE AND PREPARATION OF
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE
Topinambour is grown as animal feed, a fungus substrate is prepared for it, and thanks to its high
energy properties, it represents a good biomass ingredient.
Topinambour was and is still used for the rehabilitation of degraded lands in which ecological
disaster occurred. The roots take all the constituents from the soil, storing them in tubers, after
which, heavy metals, organic compounds, oil-derived material, and even radioactive elements can be
removed together with the biomass of the plant.

8. ECOLOGICAL TUBER
Jerusalem artichoke is highly valued in
the kitchen, tubers can create a lot of
nutritious dishes that have many health
properties. It is a much tastier and
healthier alternative to potato. Tubers can
be eaten raw, fried, baked, cooked,
steamed, as part of salads and used as a
substitute for lemon in tea.
Ecological, tasty, nutritious and healthy,
quickly yielding, resistant to frost, and also
very versatile : this is topinambour, worthy
of a growing space in a garden tunnel.

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