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Growing Cardoon

(Cynara cardunculus)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
                  S   T

(Best months for planting Cardoon in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings.


  • Harvest in 34-35 weeks.
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
  • Best planted at soil temperatures between 13°C and 25°C.
  • Space plants: 50-150cm

Cardoon is a tender perennial from the same family as globe artichokes, grown as an annual for its young leaf-stalks.

Blanch the stems. Tie the leaves together in a bunch and wrap paper or sacking around the stems. Or, form a hill of soil around the stem. Harvest four to six weeks after blanching. Cut them off at ground level and trim off the outer leaves.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Cardoon

Cut off the base and leaves, then cut the stalks into pieces.
Boil the stalks for around 20 minutes until tender: drain, and peel off the surface of the stalks. Add precooked cardoons to a variety of dishes, they go well with mushrooms.

Your comments and tips

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22 Apr 10 Chris@Gardenate (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Carmen, you probably can't/shouldn't grow cardoon in Australia as it's considered an invasive weed. It's a registered weed in NSW. Not sure about other states.
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21 Mar 10 carmen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Desperate to buy cardoons seeds. Can you tell me where?
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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

New Zealand - cool/mountain,   New Zealand - sub-tropical,   New Zealand - temperate,   United Kingdom - cool/temperate,   United Kingdom - warm/temperate  

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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