Growing Cardoon

Cynara cardunculus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

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

  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 55°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 20 - 59 inches apart
  • Harvest in 34-35 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best grown in separate bed.

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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Showing 21 - 22 of 22 comments
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I never really thought about it until now...but you could probably grow it as an annual. I don't think you'll have much of a chance overwintering it. Cardoons are native to the Mediterranean, with an average hardiness around -7°C ....in 5b, maybe, if you planted really really close to the house (so it gets warmth from the house) and it got sunshine in addition to mulching....then you might have a chance at overwintering.....5a, tends to have min winter temps around -20 .....(where 5b is -15)....I can't imagine a spot where you might have soil 15 degrees warmer than the ambient temps. However your summer temps and sunshine seem to indicate, that a cardoon would do fine as an annual.....many perennial plants are grown as annuals. Cardoons do grow quickly.

- Celeste (Faith) Archer

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