Jerusalem Artichokes

My jerusalem artichokes were planted at the beginning of May and, up until yesterday they were fine reaching 18 inches in height with lots of foilage . Today they have been munched on by either rabbits or pigeons or a combination of both. They still have new shoots coming through.

I cannot afford to net all my crops and I would like to know if they can survive without leaves flowers etc...

I did put canes and string with Cd's dangling but, they got in!

Thanks

Jerusalem artichokes are pretty tough - the problem is usually how to stop them spreading!!!  The farmers grow them out in the fields as cover for gamebirds, so I should think they'll survive being nibbled by rabbits etc.  If you have to leave something un-netted I think Jerusalem Artichokes are the right choice. 

Could be slugs or snails

My question would be how do I get rid of the B* things? I have a patch on my Allotment that grows to 8ft or more with no attention whatsoever, so growing them isn't a problem. Trouble is, no one likes them, so it's time for them to go. Having tried to dig them out, they are still coming up. Perseverance is the key I guess.

I hope you have a big garden , Andrew , as you'll be inundated with them in a couple of years.  I have then up against a fence towards the end of the garden and treat them just as a screen.  I love them to eat but of course the side effects are not congenialto married life.

They are not called fartichokes for nothing.

 It's a fair sized plot which I have.  Started it beginning of April so am only just getting going. I read that they spread alot. Will they be contained in this border OK?.

Are you going to devote that whole section to them?  If so then they'll be happy there for a while. 

Did you know that fartichokes - oops! sorry, artichokes - are really good for the digestive system and really good for the liver and for lowering cholestorol?  It's such a shame they have the side effect.  Personally I love them.

I first had fartichoke soup many years ago at a friend's house and later that day went shopping.  I was in the middle of Sainsbury's when the hurricane started. 

  I've planted them (2 plants) in a large pot because I don't want them to invade my veg beds, but there's nothing showing at all yet.  Don't know if it'll work but I do  love (f)artichoke soup.  Still hoping (story of my life!)

Yes that section is just for the chokes ( underneath the low fencing I've put a couple of rows of lettuce for now) An old spud plant has reared it's head (top lefthand corner) and it seems to be growing in harmony with the choke so I'll leave that as well as, that will be pulled before the choke anyway.

I love the taste of chokes especially when lightly fried like chips. Looking forward to making some soup also.