The Best Sunchoke Companion Plants For A Healthy Productive Garden

Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem artichokes, are a perennial vegetable that is native to North America. They are a member of the sunflower family and produce edible tubers that can be eaten raw, cooked, or roasted. Sunchokes are a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.

One of the best things about sunchokes is that they are very easy to grow. They are relatively pest- and disease-resistant, and they can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. Sunchokes also make great companion plants, which means that they can be grown near other plants to benefit both plants.

Here are some of the best sunchoke companion plants:

• Cucumbers: Cucumbers and sunchokes can help each other to thrive. The cucumbers will provide shade for the sunchokes, which can help to prevent them from bolting in hot weather. The sunchokes, on the other hand, will help to improve the soil structure for the cucumbers.
• Beans: Beans and sunchokes are both nitrogen-fixing plants, which means that they can help to improve the nitrogen levels in the soil. This can benefit both plants, as nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth.
• Rhubarb: Rhubarb and sunchokes can help to suppress weeds. The rhubarb's large leaves will help to shade out weeds, while the sunchokes' spreading roots will help to crowd out weeds.
• Peanuts: Peanuts and sunchokes can help to improve the drainage in the soil. The peanuts' roots will help to break up compacted soil, while the sunchokes' spreading roots will help to improve water infiltration.
• Borage: Borage and sunchokes can help to attract pollinators. Borage's blue flowers are a favorite of bees and butterflies, while the sunchokes' flowers attract hoverflies. Pollinators are essential for plant pollination, which is necessary for fruit and seed production.
• Chicory: Chicory and sunchokes can help to improve the flavor of each other's leaves. Chicory's leaves have a slightly bitter flavor, while the sunchokes' leaves have a nutty flavor. When grown together, the flavors of the two plants complement each other.

In addition to the plants listed above, other good sunchoke companion plants include:

• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Melon
• Sunflowers
• Daylilies
• Lemon balm

Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem artichokes, are a versatile and delicious root vegetable that can be grown in many different climates. They are also a great companion plant for other vegetables, as they help to attract beneficial insects and improve soil health.

Some of the best sunchoke companion plants include:

• Corn: Corn provides support for sunchokes to climb, and sunchokes help to improve the nitrogen levels in the soil for corn.
• Peanuts: Peanuts help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits sunchokes.
• Rhubarb: Rhubarb helps to deter pests from sunchokes.
• Borage: Borage attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and hoverflies, which help to control pests.
• Chicory: Chicory helps to improve the drainage of the soil for sunchokes.

For more information about sunchoke companion plants, please visit Garden Wiki.

FAQ of sunchoke companion plants

• What are the best companion plants for sunchokes?

Some of the best companion plants for sunchokes include:

• Rhubarb: Rhubarb is a heavy feeder that helps to improve the soil for sunchokes. It also helps to deter pests, such as aphids.

• Pole beans: Pole beans add nitrogen to the soil, which is beneficial for sunchokes. They also provide shade for sunchokes, which can help to prevent them from getting too hot.

• Bush beans: Bush beans are another good nitrogen-fixing plant that can be planted with sunchokes. They also help to suppress weeds.

• Cucumbers: Cucumbers can climb up the stems of sunchokes, which helps to keep them off the ground and prevents them from rotting.

• Lettuce: Lettuce is a cool-season crop that can be planted with sunchokes in the spring or fall. It helps to shade the sunchokes and prevent them from getting too hot.

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

Some plants that should not be planted near sunchokes include:

• Potatoes: Sunchokes and potatoes are both members of the sunflower family, and they can cross-pollinate. This can lead to potatoes that have a bitter taste.

• Tomatoes: Tomatoes and sunchokes can compete for nutrients, so it is best to avoid planting them together.

• Asparagus: Asparagus is a heavy feeder that can deplete the soil of nutrients. This can make it difficult for sunchokes to thrive.

• What are the benefits of companion planting with sunchokes?

There are several benefits to companion planting with sunchokes, including:

• Improved soil health: Companion plants can help to improve the soil health by adding nutrients, breaking down organic matter, and suppressing weeds.

• Disease and pest control: Companion plants can help to deter pests and diseases, which can help to protect sunchokes from harm.

• Increased yields: Companion planting can help to increase the yields of sunchokes by providing them with the nutrients and support they need to thrive.

• How far apart should sunchokes be planted?

Sunchokes should be planted about 2 feet apart. This will give them enough room to grow and spread.

Image of sunchoke companion plants

• Corn: Corn is a good companion plant for sunchokes because it helps to suppress weeds and attract beneficial insects.
• Peanuts: Peanuts are another good companion plant for sunchokes because they help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits both plants.
• Rhubarb: Rhubarb is a good companion plant for sunchokes because it helps to deter pests and diseases.
• Borage: Borage is a good companion plant for sunchokes because it attracts pollinators and helps to repel pests.
• Chicory: Chicory is a good companion plant for sunchokes because it helps to improve the soil drainage and adds nutrients to the soil.
• Chamomile: Chamomile is a good companion plant for sunchokes because it helps to repel pests and diseases.
• Daylily: Daylily is a good companion plant for sunchokes because it helps to attract pollinators and improves the soil quality.
• Lemon balm: Lemon balm is a good companion plant for sunchokes because it helps to repel pests and diseases.
• Joe-Pye Weed: Joe-Pye Weed is a good companion plant for sunchokes because it helps to attract pollinators and improves the soil quality.