I'm really trying to boost my food production at my place this year, and it's gotten me thinking about what plants I want to add to my place to do so. For years now, I've wanted to experiment with Jerusalem artichoke. I find it in the mountains when I go hiking (it's pretty easy to identify), I see it in the garden catalogs, but it's yet to find its way over to my place.

This year, I'm hoping to change that.

Here are some of the reasons you may want to add Jerusalem artichoke to your place as well.

Jerusalem artichoke is a perennial.

This is one of the things that Rick Austin and Gaia's Garden really harp on consistently – the importance of planting perennials if you want to have any semblance of permaculture. You can plant this stuff one time, and provided you don't over-harvest, you'll have a steady crop of it for years to come.

J-choke multiplies like a weed.

Though it's a native American plant, you would think this stuff came from overseas – the stuff spreads like wildfire. It's fun to see patches of it spread out in the mountains over the years. The same can happen in your garden. Plant J-choke in one location, and it won't be long till it gradually spreads, much like asparagus. To my mind, that's a big win here.