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

(Best months for planting Globe artichokes in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

Superthistles growing to 1.2-1.3m high with a spread of 1.2x1.2m . Very pretty, can be part of a herbacious border.

Harvest from second year. Artichokes grow particularly well in sandy soil. Can be propagated by suckers or offsets. In temperate/warm areas a well fertilised plant will live for about five years and throw up suckers each year. Artichokes aren't hardy enough to overwinter in areas with very cold winters. In cold areas choose a hardy variety from a local supplier and grow it as an annual, with 10 days' exposure to cool daytime temperatures during spring. Transplant only when all danger of frost is past in your area. Aphids and earwigs can be a nuisance.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Globe artichokes

Pick buds before scales develop brown tips .
If you have lots of small buds, they can be fried in olive oil and eaten whole.
Rinse in plenty of cold water to remove earwigs or other insects.

Your comments and tips

01 Sep 12, Danielle (Australia - temperate climate)

I have 3 plants in a pot that are ready to plant in the Swansea, Newcastle area. The soil is sandy but it does get hot in Summer. As I'm of French origin, I can't wait to to harvest my own artichokes but would it be better to replant them in very large pots?

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14 Jul 12, Helena (Australia - temperate climate)

I Live in WA and have had the same problem, I have lost 6 plants that were purchased in small pots. I had planted 3 in the back garden and 3 in rhe front garden, slowly each one died. I have since purchased another plant and have decided to pot it on as opposed to planting it in the garden, it appears to be doing rather well, with regular watering of fish emulsion.

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20 Jun 12, Tiaan Crous (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)

Hi. I want to start farming with Artichokes. I have 2 ha available sandy soil with irrigation and proteced against the wind. Can you please advise me on were to start? Regards Tiaan

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14 May 12, vic (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi, we live in a cool climate. can you please give some practical tips on frost protection.

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11 Apr 12, irene (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

are artichokes roots a bad spreader,my friend has one that is so large,and growing close to her pool,as ie worried about its roots

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06 Nov 11, Denise Traynor (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

My globe artichoke plants are wilting during the day when the sun is strong. they do come back once it cools down in the evening. I worry that they will dry out too much and I will lose them. Mulching with sugar cane mulch hasn't really seemed to help.

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23 Jul 12, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Denise, Sounds like the sun is too strong, so despite good soil moisture the plant is not able to suck water up fast enough - so the plant is closing its stomata to protect itself until the temperature drops. If you cover them with a bit of shade cloth in the heat of the day the plants should be fine.

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22 Oct 11, Joe Agostinacchio (USA - Zone 5a climate)

I planted artichokes for the first time this summer. I live on Long Island, N.Y., how do I protect the plants from the coming winter? Do I trim back the leaves that are there now, or let them stay?

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06 Sep 10, (Australia - temperate climate)

Allow a metre...mine are huge

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18 Aug 10, abl (Australia - temperate climate)

you can grow in alkaline soil, i live by coast in magaret river and growing well,use plenty compost and manure

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