Sweetish Jerusalem artichoke is appreciated by connoisseurs for the high content of various vitamins and trace elements (potassium, calcium, iron). Vegetable tubers, which are used to prepare various dishes , excel in the use of carrots and beets. It is recommended even to replace the Jerusalem artichoke with potatoes. But, despite this, "earthen pear", unpretentious and capricious, unfortunately, is grown by few land owners. By the way, complications can arise with when to collect Jerusalem artichoke. Let's figure it out.
Jerusalem artichoke - when to harvest in the fall?
Like many plants, Jerusalem artichoke ripens in autumn. Those gardeners who try their hand at growing the "earthen pear", sometimes mistakenly collect the richest in composition roots in the second half of September. By the way, many people do so because of practical considerations - they are simply afraid that the weather will later deteriorate. And, of course, cleaning in cold weather on a site full of mud due to heavy rainfall is a dubious pleasure. But after releasing the beds from Jerusalem artichoke, the gardeners then wonder why Jerusalem artichoke, which has grown a lot in the soil, has small dimensions, and the taste, as they say, is not "hot." And this has a reasonable explanation.
In fact, for the cultivation of an excellent harvest of "earthen pear" it is important to observe the maturation period. The beds with this crop are already completely ready for harvesting in the second half of autumn. The best time for harvesting Jerusalem artichoke is in the second decade of October and November. The fact is that it is at this time that the root vegetables gain their greatest weight, since all the nutrients will finally pass from the tops to the tubers. And the taste depends on how many carbohydrates the tuber will store. Therefore, if you want to grow beautiful vegetables, do not rush to dig out the whole earth pear on the site. Just take the number of root crops that you need at this particular time for cooking.
As recommended by experienced truck farmers, it is better to focus on when the time of frosts in your region is approaching. Take into account meteorological forecasts of weather, and on the eve of a sharp cooling, trim the stems of Jerusalem artichoke so that above the surface of the earth "penechka" towers at an altitude of 30-50 cm. And after one or two weeks you can safely dig out the roots.
When to collect Jerusalem artichoke in the spring?
Not all gardeners are aware of the fact that the earth pear perfectly winters and perfectly tolerates even severe frosts. That is why there is an excellent reason to postpone the harvesting of Jerusalem artichoke for the spring. Thus, in autumn you dig up that part of the harvest that you need throughout the winter, and leave a share that is planned to be used for cooking useful and tasty dishes in the spring. Such distribution is especially convenient for urban residents, who have a site outside the city and nowhere to store a large amount of harvest. By the way, in the southern regions it happens that
However, when you transfer the date of harvesting tubers of earthen pears for the spring, consider several features. First, be prepared for the fact that part of the crop may suffer from rodent infestation, in the first place, moles, mice, rats. It also happens that, unfortunately, all landings suffer. Secondly, it is necessary to collect the remaining root crops until spring, as soon as cold days pass and warm weather sets in. Untimely collection is fraught with the loss of nutrients, as the tubers that have spent the winter in the ground can give roots.