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How to Grow Artichokes, Planting Artichokes at Home, also Growing and Planting Jerusalem Artichokes
How to grow artichokes when home vegetable gardening.
The globe artichoke plant generally requires moderate climates because it killed by frost easily and does not begin producing until its second year.
In the past, gardeners living in the North simply did not contemplate learning how to grow artichokes since the plant was not adaptable for a northern climate.
However, a technique has been devised to grow a fairly nice yield of medium size artichokes in cold regions.
How to Grow Artichokes in Northern Gardens
The method used by growers of how to grow artichokes in the Northern gardens is to simulate summer planting by an overwintering period.
To accomplish this, start plants indoors early and then expose them to a cool period in a cold frame before planting them in the garden.
Experienced gardeners recommend starting seeds inside about six weeks before the date when area temperatures hold 26 degrees or higher.
In many northern states, this is typically around mid-February.
Following the above start date example, the artichoke plants will be moved to the cold frame around the first of April.
Instead of running the cold frame of its typical use of warming, it will be used for cooling.
Prop the frames open as long as temperatures are 26 degrees or above.
The ideal temperature to achieve in the frame is between 39 and 43 degrees.
After six weeks, the artichokes are ready to be transplanted.
An alternative technique in cold climates is to seed flats, leave them for a day or so, and then move them into the refrigerator for a month as a substitute for the cold frame.
How to Grow Artichokes in Cold Regions
Space plants 2 feet apart in 30 inch rows.
Mulch immediately.
Artichokes prefer uniformly moist soil with high organic matter content.
Using this vegetable gardening strategy, Northern gardeners can expect a vast majority of the plants to yield from 6-8 small to medium size artichokes each.
Harvesting Artichokes
For harvesting, you can cut them as soon as the bottom leaves start to open.
Harvest the artichoke buds while they are still tight.
Even if the leaves of the buds are too tough to eat, the delicious hearts should be flavorful and tender.
How to Grow Jerusalem Artichokes in Moderate Climates
The Jerusalem artichoke is a hardy, tuberous rooted perennial.
Its tubers or swollen underground stems are valued as a vegetable.
This type of artichoke thrives in almost any soil but produces best in deeply dug earth.
Despite its name, the plant is actually a native of North America.
Planting Jerusalem Artichokes
Plant the tubers in early spring.
Whole or cut tubers are set 5 inches deep and a foot apart in rows 3 feet from each other.
During the summer months the soil must be kept free from weeds.
When the leaves turn yellow in autumn the tubers are ready for use.
They are best left in the ground and dug as needed.
Before the ground freezes solid, dig up the remainder of the crop.
Store the tubers in sand indoors.
Artichoke Vegetable Gardening Trivia
If you are an adventurous soul who wants to attempt growing artichokes, you will be in good company.
Thomas Jefferson is known to have grown globe artichokes at his home in Virginia from seeds imported from France.