Growing Artichokes (Globe)

Cynara scolymus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S                    
      T                
      P                

(Best months for growing Artichokes (Globe) in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 15°C and 18°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 160 - 200 cm apart
  • Harvest in 42-57 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Needs a lot of space. Best in separate bed
  • Ready to harvest
  • Globe artichokes

Superthistles growing to 1.2 - 1.3 m high with a spread of 1.2 x 1.2 m.

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 Artichokes (Globe)

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.
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?
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.
07 Oct 09, matt (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
What plant space and row space is required for this plant? cheers
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
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.
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.
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?
12 Oct 16, Juan (Australia - temperate climate)
That sounds about right. I get anywhere up to 5 from each plant, but they get smaller later in the season (still good to eat, just pick them while they are still
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?
Showing 1 - 10 of 122 comments

have tried to grow in clay soil..failed...do you think I should try again? could I adjust the soil?

- susie

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