tuber · transplant · beginner friendly
Sunchoke (Jerusalem Artichoke): how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating sunchoke (jerusalem artichoke) a few times a week needs about 5 plants in ~23 sq ft, worth about $15 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$1.50/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 2 | ~9 sq ft | ~3 | ~$6 |
| 2 people | 3 | ~14 sq ft | ~4 | ~$9 |
| 4 people | 5 | ~23 sq ft | ~6 | ~$15 |
| 6 people | 8 | ~36 sq ft | ~9 | ~$24 |
Spacing
18" in row · 36" between rows
Sow depth
4"
Days to harvest
130 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Apr 24 – Jun 5 | — |
| Zone 4 | Apr 19 – May 31 | — |
| Zone 5 | Apr 9 – May 21 | — |
| Zone 6 | Mar 30 – May 11 | — |
| Zone 7 | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | — |
| Zone 8 | Mar 4 – Apr 15 | — |
| Zone 9 | Jan 30 – Mar 13 | — |
| Zone 10 | Jan 10 – Feb 21 | — |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 2 lbs per plant over ~3 productive weeks (~2 lb).
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
73 kcal · 1.6 g fiber · 4 mg vitamin C · 429 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.