Sunchoke (Jerusalem Artichoke) in Zone 3a & 3b
Helianthus tuberosus
Yes, sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke) grows in zones 3a and 3b and comes back each year. Plant it outside May 16–May 23.
When to plant sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke) in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 16–May 23 |
| Estimated harvest | First real harvest the season after planting |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 6-10 ft.
Before you plant: Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke) has a winter-hardiness note for zone 3b. See the details below.
Plant alongside it in zone 3b
These go outside within two weeks of sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke) in zone 3b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionMay 9–May 16
- RadishMay 2–May 9
- CarrotMay 9–May 16
- CabbageMay 16–May 23
- LettuceMay 16–May 23
- BroccoliMay 16–May 23
Sunchokes, also called Jerusalem artichokes despite having no connection to Jerusalem or to the globe artichoke, are a perennial sunflower relative grown for their knobby, nutty-flavored tubers rather than their flowers.
How sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke) fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke) takes about 1 growing season to reach first worthwhile harvest, so what matters here is how many of these seasons it gets, not whether one is long enough.
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke) is hardy in zones 3-9, so in zone 3b it stays in the ground through winter and comes back rather than being replanted. Allow about 5 ft of spread at maturity.
Sunchoke (Jerusalem Artichoke) planting windows in every zone
Zone 3b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b (your zone) | Not usually | May 16–May 23 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 1–May 8 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | Apr 26–May 3 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 11–Apr 18 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Mar 27–Apr 3 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 11–Mar 18 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Feb 1–Feb 8 | First real harvest the season after planting |
Good companions
No well-established companions for sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke).
Where to buy sunchoke seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries sunchoke seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Sunchoke (Jerusalem Artichoke) in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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