How to Grow Artichokes

comments (6) April 25th, 2009

Pin It

---

---

An artichoke plant, which can spread into a silvery green fountain up to 6 feet across, makes a bold, handsome addition to any garden. Best of all, perhaps, this gem of a vegetable can be grown much more easily and in a wider range of climates than you might expect.

I remember having dinner at a friend’s home and seeing an artichoke on my plate for the first time. I wondered how I was going to eat this intriguing vegetable. My friend’s mom showed me how to approach the task. I plucked the leaves, dipped them in melted butter, and tugged the stem end through my teeth to draw off the tender meat. It was child’s play.

Recipe: Steamed Artichokes with Lemon Dipping Butter more artichoke recipes from FineCooking.com... Love Artichokes? Thank the Italians

That was a long time ago, but I remember being completely satisfied when all the leaves were gone. Then she told me about the hidden treasure, the tender artichoke heart. The artichoke is a gold mine of rich, earthy, hearty flavor, a vegetable with a taste and texture like no other.

Use the right growing technique for your climate

	Sources for artichoke seeds Check out our seed catalog reviews of these companies and many more... The Cook’s Garden PO Box C5030 Warminster, PA 18974 800-457-9703 www.cooksgarden.com Park Seed Co 1 Parkton Ave Greenwood, SC 29647 800-213-0076 www.parkseed.com Territorial Seed Company PO Box 158 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 800-626-0866 www.territorialseed.com

The artichoke, Cynara scolymus, can be grown almost everywhere in the United States, except possibly Florida, where the summer is too hot. The ideal growing conditions are cool and moist summers and mild winters.

If you live in a climate colder than Zone 8, your best bet is to start new plants each year. If you have a mild winter and mulch well, the artichokes may survive as perennials. Remember, it’s the artichoke’s roots that need protection.

Using transplants, you can grow artichokes as annuals in cold-winter climates with 90 to 100 frost-free days. I know people who have grown delicious artichokes in Connecticut, Maine, and Massa­chusetts. Artichokes you start indoors in late winter or early spring will be ready to harvest from late summer through early fall.

Gardeners who are lucky enough to have the best growing conditions may be able to harvest artichokes throughout the year. For these people, it would not be unusual to harvest 30 artichokes per year per plant.

---

posted in: artichokes

---

---