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Growing Globe artichokes

(Cynara scolymus)

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.

Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 59°F and 64°F. (Show °C/cm)
Space plants: 63 - 79 inches apart
Harvest in 42-57 weeks.
Compatible with: Needs a lot of space. Best in separate bed

Globe artichoke
Ready to harvest

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

16 Jun 09, Jims Garden Adventure (Australia - temperate climate): Globe artichokes were a real winner for us in our sandy Perth soil. We had to cut them down to make them fruit, hoping for as good this year. Fantastic "thistle flowers" on one or two that we left.
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25 Sep 09, susie (Australia - sub-tropical climate): have tried to grow in clay soil..failed...do you think I should try again? could I adjust the soil?
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08 Oct 11, Margaret (Australia - sub-tropical climate): My artichokes grow well in heavy black clay soil. I am an hour inland from Noosa. My plants are lightly mulched. To fruit they need water and preferably rain water. I suggest giving it another go and plant in another spot. I was told fennel wouldn't grow in my area and it is growing well. I often have failures but try again in another spot. I think if you have scotch thistles in your area definitely try again. Happy gardening.
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07 Oct 09, matt (Australia - cool/mountain climate): What plant space and row space is required for this plant? cheers
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08 Oct 09, merry (Australia - temperate climate): I only planted my artichokes this year and I have a central artichoke on some - should I pick and eat these? how do I know when to pick them? (they are only small - will they get bigger? thanks
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11 Oct 09, sarah (Australia - temperate climate): our first harvest is ready, they are small but plentiful, and this is there first year. We too have clay soil, but it is also rocky, in full sun and somehow this combination seems to make the plant happy. I do fertilise a regularly with horse and chicken manure.
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23 Oct 09, Dominique (Australia - tropical climate): Has anyone got any info on growing artichokes in North Queensland. I got loamy sand, 150 metres from the beach.
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24 Nov 09, Dianne (Australia - temperate climate): we have planted artichoke for the first time and have had great success. we are coastal midwest. We have 2 plants and each plant has 3 artichokes. Is this unusual?
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10 Mar 10, Deb McKinlay (Australia - temperate climate): Im on a small mountain in berry nsw and im wondering whether artichokes will grow well, the soil is cleared rain forest. what do you think?
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16 Mar 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate): Deb, if the soil is reasonably fertile and you get enough rain then the artichokes should grow like mad. They're basically an improved thistle, so if thistles thrive, then artichokes should do ok.
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Post a question, comment or tip about Globe artichokes

Replying to:

My artichokes grow well in heavy black clay soil. I am an hour inland from Noosa. My plants are lightly mulched. To fruit they need water and preferably rain water. I suggest giving it another go and plant in another spot. I was told fennel wouldn't grow in my area and it is growing well. I often have failures but try again in another spot. I think if you have scotch thistles in your area definitely try again. Happy gardening.

- Margaret

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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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