Content
- Sunflower roots as soil conditioner
- Worth knowing about the roots of the sunflower
- Sunflower roots do not tolerate waterlogging
- Sunflower roots as soil conditioner
- The edible roots of Jerusalem artichoke
- Tips & Tricks
The sunflower root Jerusalem artichoke is edible
Sunflower roots as soil conditioner
Sunflowers are not only grown in the garden for their beautiful flowers, as privacy screens or for harvesting the seeds. The roots of sunflowers are also good soil conditioners. Some are even edible.
Worth knowing about the roots of the sunflower
The root of the sunflower forms a broad and deep network underground. Given the size of some sunflower varieties, this is not surprising.
Some roots of perennial sunflower perennials thicken and become tubers. The best known example is the Jerusalem artichoke.
Sunflower roots do not tolerate waterlogging
If you are sunflower in the garden, make sure the soil is always moist. Waterlogging, however, does not tolerate the roots of the sunflower. They then start to rot, so the plant comes in quickly.
Therefore, only plant sunflowers in well-drained soil, from which the moisture can drain quickly, for example after a heavy downpour.
Sunflower roots as soil conditioner
The roots of the sunflower also penetrate deep layers of the earth. The annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is therefore often grown as a soil conditioner.
The flower not only absorbs pollutants through the roots, but also loosens the soil. If the roots are not ripped off after harvesting, they decompose and thereby supply the soil with additional nutrients.
You should therefore cut your sunflowers off the ground in the fall and leave the sunflower roots in the ground.
The edible roots of Jerusalem artichoke
The roots of Jerusalem artichoke are also called "potato of diabetics" because they contain inulin, a starchy carbohydrate, which also tolerates diabetics well.
The roots of this sunflower species can be prepared raw and cooked as:
If you have enough space in the garden, you may want to pull some Jerusalem artichoke plants to bring fresh vegetables to the table in autumn and winter. However, Jerusalem artichoke tends to spread throughout the garden and is therefore best planted with a root barrier.
Tips & Tricks
When cultivating sunflowers in the pot, make sure that the planter has enough drainage holes. If you place the pots on a coaster, pour off excess water from the pouring water and rainwater as equally as possible. This is especially advisable after heavy downpours.