Growing Artichokes, How to Grow Artichokes, Planting Artichokes
The best tips for growing artichokes in a backyard vegetable garden. Learn how to plant, care for, and harvest artichoke plants when home gardening. Design Your Own Vegetable Garden Layout Using our Free "Vegetable Garden Planner" Software! The artichoke is considered a noble vegetable because this eastern Mediterranean native was once reserved for members of nobility. Currently, artichoke plants are popularly grown throughout the temperate regions of the United States both as garden produce and planted for its ornamental merit. This large, fern-like plant grows up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Six or more flower buds grow atop long, coarse stalks every year. If not cut, these buds open into showy purplish blue flowers that resemble thistles. Grown solely as ornamentals, growing artichokes make a useful and beautiful summer hedge or garden space divider. Download Free Garden Planning Worksheets, Garden Diary, Zone Chart, Or Planting Guide When to Plant Artichokes The edible flower buds mature best in cool weather but cannot tolerate frost. Growing artichokes has proved successful in colder regions when started indoors from offsets and planted outside after danger of last spring frost has passed. The artichoke needs protection during cold weather to survive. Cut leaf growth back to 12 inches and tie them together over the root crown. Apply a heavy layer of mulch to protect them from frost. Be extra careful when mulching as not to choke the growing artichokes. How to Grow ArtichokesPlant artichokes in high quality, loose soil rich in nutrients. An area which receives full sun is preferable. Artichokes have high demands on soil, so fertilize generously and water thoroughly. Wet the entire root system on a weekly basis to prevent drying out of soil.  Vegetable Gardening Tips for ArtichokesArtichoke Plant Pests & DiseasesArtichoke is susceptible to a number of insects including aphids, snails, slugs, and artichoke plume moths. Be on the lookout for leaf spot disease. Harvesting Artichokes
For large sized, meaty artichokes, remove the numerous minor shoots as the plant grows so that each plant has only six buds per season. Artichokes planted in the springtime may be expected to produce during early summer months. The plants will mature from fall through midwinter in mild climates or until hard frosts. Flower buds may be edible the first year after planting if conditions are ideal. However, most often plants will produce the second year. Harvest before they reach the blooming stage. Cut 3-4 inches below the bud with a sharp knife when harvesting. As leaves begin to yellow, cut stalks near ground level to avoid weakening the root, allowing new shoots to spring up. Best Tips for Planting ArtichokesKeep in mind the large size of the artichoke plant when you choose your location. The plant may be too bulky for smaller home vegetable gardens. But as it makes a dramatic addition to an ornamental bed, this may be a way to grow a few artichokes for eating purposes. The edible flower heads of the growing artichokes can be eaten raw or cooked and served in butter or sauce.
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