Sunchokes

Sunchokes are one of the most productive and prolific perennial food plants of North America, with high yields of edible roots. We have found that Sunchokes do best in moist soils, and are easiest to harvest in loamy or sandy soils. In heavier soils they also serve as a good biomass plant. Sunchokes will spread in the right conditions. Unlike many plants, sunchokes store energy as inulin, a probiotic fiber that does not provide direct calories to humans (some calories come from gut fermentation). Inulin can be converted to fructose to increase the caloric value of the sunchokes. This can be done several ways, but we like to soak them in vinegar, and roast for 3 hours, and then dehydrate. This makes for a sweet, chewy, and storable snack. We are offering two varieties this year. 

Standard white: These are a standard variety of white, knobby tubers that are very prolific. 

Seed grown: These are sunchokes grown from true seed. They have more variation than clonal varieties and will set seed. These are ideal for any breeding work. Seed grown sunchokes are typically less knobby but smaller than the clonal varieties. 

Note: we will have 5 pound bags available for $30, LOCAL PICKUP ONLY. This is a great way to start a larger patch. This is enough to plant one 50ft row. 

Moisture: wet to medium

Soil: loamy, sandy for easiest harvest

Sun: full sun (unless you live in zone 8+)