Jerusalem artichokes are related to sunflowers not artichokes. So you will often see them flowering on the edges of allotments. The stems are up to 10 feet tall and the yellow flowers in September are quite bold and eye catching.

• The fleshy rhizomes or tubers are eaten like potato. They are knobbly in shape.
• They have a nutty flavour and are best steamed or roast, with or without skins.
• The plants are perennial but good tubers are grown when the soil is rich and fresh so replanting is encouraged.
• The plants are quite easy to grow and will spread if you don’t dig up the roots
• For information on seasonal vegetables