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 59°F and 64°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 63 - 79 inches 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
19 Aug 24, (USA - Zone 7b climate)
If artichokes are to be treated as an annual, and you’re supposed to harvest the second year, how does that work?
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03 Jul 24, jenni langley (USA - Zone 8a climate)
When should I plant artichoke seeds outside?
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19 Jul 24, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Spring is best
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13 Apr 24, Janet (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I live in zone 9a. I'm in the desert. We have a lot of wind, 5 mph -- 20mph. We have worst wind in spring that occasionally blows 35mph! Our winters are cool and can dip to 32 one or two nights. We have early springs. I bought 2 5" poted artichokes plants in spring. I placed them where they would be protected from cool nights and wind. They have not grown much. The nights are now in the warmer so I stopped covering. The leaves are yellow and dried.
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21 May 24, Texas Grown (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I've never tried growing artichokes but I get a lot of wind here too. Even in sheltered spots, the wind can really dry out a plant fast. Use enough mulch and water using soaker or drip under the mulch layer. But check the soil first down to at least an inch before watering. Dry yellow leaves could mean it froze despite the cover. Remove the bad leaves. Maybe it will recover.
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29 Aug 23, Bonnie (USA - Zone 7b climate)
What does it mean to plant under cover? Inside, or under a roof, or under one of those plastic covers like a mini-greenhouse? Thank you!
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06 Sep 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Out of the sunlight. Google about it.
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07 Jul 23, (USA - Zone 5a climate)
How do I grow Globe artichokes in my zone?
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10 Jul 23, (USA - Zone 5a climate)
For Zone 5a, plant undercover in ssed trays in February, Plant out seedlings in April and youc an also sow seeds direct in April. 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.
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21 Apr 23, Cathy Krasnianski (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Zone 10b. First year growing Green Globe & Violet de Provence. Both are doing very well. Not sure if necessary to prune down in late Fall, as our winters never go below 30 degrees. Haven’t found this info anywhere on the Internet.
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Showing 1 - 10 of 26 comments
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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.

- Chris

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