Sunchoke Companion Plants That Will Thrive Together

Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem artichokes, are a perennial flowering plant that is native to North America. They are a member of the sunflower family and produce edible tubers that are similar in taste to water chestnuts. Sunchokes are a relatively easy plant to grow and can be a valuable addition to any garden.

One of the best ways to ensure that your sunchokes thrive is to plant them with companion plants. Companion planting is a gardening practice that involves planting certain plants together in order to benefit each other. There are many different companion plants that can be beneficial for sunchokes, but some of the best include:

• Beans: Beans are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means that they can add nitrogen to the soil. This is beneficial for sunchokes, as they are heavy feeders and need a lot of nitrogen to grow well.
• Corn: Corn is a tall plant that can provide shade for sunchokes. This is helpful in hot climates, as it can help to prevent the sunchokes from getting too hot and stressed.
• Lettuce: Lettuce is a shallow-rooted plant that does not compete with sunchokes for water or nutrients. It can also help to suppress weeds, which can be a problem for sunchokes.
• Marigolds: Marigolds are known for their insect-repelling properties. They can help to keep pests away from sunchokes, such as aphids, beetles, and slugs.
• Potatoes: Potatoes and sunchokes have similar growing requirements and can be planted together in the same bed. They can also help to suppress weeds.
• Rhubarb: Rhubarb is a deep-rooted plant that does not compete with sunchokes for water or nutrients. It can also help to improve the drainage of the soil, which is beneficial for sunchokes.
• Spinach: Spinach is a cool-season crop that can be planted in the same bed as sunchokes. It can also help to suppress weeds.
• Yarrow: Yarrow is a flowering plant that is known for its insect-repelling properties. It can help to keep pests away from sunchokes, such as aphids, beetles, and slugs.

In addition to these specific companion plants, there are a few general guidelines that you can follow when choosing companion plants for sunchokes. First, you want to choose plants that have similar growing requirements. Sunchokes need full sun and well-drained soil. You also want to avoid planting sunchokes with plants that are susceptible to the same pests or diseases.

With a little planning, you can easily choose companion plants that will help your sunchokes thrive. By planting them with the right plants, you can improve their growth, yield, and pest resistance.

Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem artichokes, are a versatile and hardy crop that can be grown in a variety of climates. They are a good source of carbohydrates and fiber, and their nutty flavor can be enjoyed cooked or raw.

When growing sunchokes, it is important to consider companion planting. Companion planting is the practice of planting certain plants together to benefit each other. Some good companion plants for sunchokes include:

• Corn: Corn provides sunchokes with support, and sunchokes help to suppress weeds.
• Peanuts: Peanuts help to improve the soil nitrogen levels, which benefits sunchokes.
• Rhubarb: Rhubarb helps to repel pests that can damage sunchokes.

For more information about sunchoke companion plants, please visit Gardenia Inspiration. This website provides a comprehensive guide to companion planting, including information on the specific benefits of each plant combination.

FAQ of sunchoke companion plants

Q: What are some good companion plants for sunchokes?

A: Sunchokes are a relatively undemanding crop, but they can benefit from being planted near certain companion plants. Some good options include:

• Corn: Corn provides sunchokes with support and helps to improve their pollination.
• Peanuts: Peanuts help to improve the nitrogen content of the soil, which can benefit sunchokes.
• Rhubarb: Rhubarb helps to repel pests that can damage sunchokes.
• Borage: Borage attracts beneficial insects that can help to control pests and improve pollination.
• Chamomile: Chamomile helps to repel pests and improve the flavor of sunchokes.

Q: What are some plants that should not be planted near sunchokes?

A: Sunchokes are a vigorous grower and can crowd out other plants. Some plants that should not be planted near sunchokes include:

• Tomatoes: Tomatoes can be susceptible to the same pests and diseases as sunchokes.
• Potatoes: Potatoes and sunchokes can both harbor the same soil-borne pests and diseases.
• Beans: Beans can compete with sunchokes for nutrients and water.
• Cabbage: Cabbage can be susceptible to the same pests and diseases as sunchokes.
• Melons: Melons and sunchokes can compete with each other for sunlight.

Q: How deep should sunchokes be planted?

A: Sunchokes should be planted 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) deep. Planting them too shallowly can make them susceptible to pests and diseases.

Q: How far apart should sunchokes be planted?

A: Sunchokes should be planted 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. This will give them enough room to grow and spread.

Q: How long does it take for sunchokes to mature?

A: Sunchokes can take anywhere from 60 to 90 days to mature. However, they can be harvested throughout the season, starting in the fall.

Image of sunchoke companion plants

• Corn: Sunchokes and corn are both heavy feeders, so they can help each other out by using up nutrients in the soil. Corn also provides shade for the sunchokes, which can help to prevent them from bolting.
• Peas: Peas are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they can help to add nitrogen to the soil. This can benefit the sunchokes, as nitrogen is an important nutrient for plant growth.
• Rhubarb: Rhubarb is a tall plant that can provide shade for the sunchokes. This can help to prevent the sunchokes from bolting, as well as protect them from the sun's harsh rays.
• Borage: Borage is a flowering plant that attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and bees. These insects can help to control pests and pollinate the sunchokes.
• Chicory: Chicory is a deep-rooted plant that can help to aerate the soil. This can benefit the sunchokes, as it allows their roots to grow more easily.