Practically ever garden center has had artichoke seedlings out for a few weeks now. So yesterday I decided it was finally time to get my artichoke bed planted. I went ahead and took the seedlings out of the greenhouse and set them along side the glass panes for a few days just to be sure they were ready.
The doors to the greenhouse have been open for the past week, so I wasn’t worried about shocking them, but I still wanted to play it a bit on the safe side.
{This picture shows only half of our artichoke seedlings}
Generally, I like to plant my starts out a few weeks AFTER I start to see stores selling them. More often than not, big box stores {and some nurseries} sell their vegetable starts way before they are actually ready to be planted, which of course just sets new gardeners up for failure. It makes me crazy.
My goal is to somewhat duplicate the gorgeous artichoke bed I saw in the French Laundry Gardens in Napa Valley last year. They were spectacular. I don’t even know if I’ve ever tasted an artichoke before, but for some reason I feel compelled to grow them.
How about YOU? Have you ever grown artichokes before? Are they pretty easy to grow?
~Mavis
Thelma says
Hi Mavis, I’m new here, I discoverd your blog through- Rosemary, Lavender and Thyme. Its very interesting, I live not too far from you on Vancouver Island with similar growing conditions and we have expanded our veggie beds 🙂 I have grown artichokes, they are very easy, they survived a couple of winters then didnt come back, they are beautiful plants and I do like them more for their hearts than the leaves, but it is a bit of work to get them cooked and cleaned. I may try them again but need to find room ,they do take up space. You are off to a great start I’m sure this bed will look awesome!
Miriam says
Yeah, I’ve grown them and they take FOREVER to actually bud. In my zone, we have a short growing season, so May-early Nov (if you are lucky). They seem to grow well with little care, but if you are lucky, you can overwinter them and get more next year. We brought ours inside when it started to freeze, but we didn’t have enough light to keep them alive.
Also, you can divide them later to get ‘more’ plants.
TL DR: You have to have a long growing season without frost, but they are easy to grow.
caryl says
I’ve been growing artichokes in my zone 7b/8 garden for about 5 years. Easy peasy…. they are perennials here and we get tons to eat and I often let a bunch flower too (super cool flowers) so that I can gather seeds to share. They usually need a lot of space (they get very BIG!) … I plant mine about 6 feet apart. I’ve never planted them as close as you have them, so I don’t know if that affects how productive they are or not. Mine bud in early summer and often again in the fall if I cut them back after the first set. What zone are you in?
Rose W says
I am zone 6b. I have enjoyed growing artichokes off and on for year. I buy nursery plants. I did not realize until last year they could over winter until last year. I’m not sure I did it right. I gave them some fresh soil on top and then place a large planter over that. It has been a mild winter here so I’m not really sure when to uncover them. I’m thinking the end of March. I also didn’t realize that I could gather seeds from the flower. I do not get many that I can eat. I am hoping for better production this year. There was simething said about cutting them back during the season. when and how? Thank for expanding my understanding of this great plant.
Jackie Mann says
My heart seizes every time I see easy peasey beside something line zone 7! I am in 2b/3 and may consider them. We will see if I am nuts.
Sakura says
I’m in zone 6a and grew them a couple of years ago, they did fantastic in my small garden.
Mamalala says
How about Boise? Do they do well here?
Desi says
I’m wondering about Idaho too?
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
I’m growing them too! Or..I guess more accurately…I started the seeds three days ago. So my goal now is to get them to actually sprout as I don’t have grow lights, just a sunny window that’s seen almost no sunlight lately with this constant blah weather we’ve had in NY. They are one of my favorite…possibly very favorite…veggies. Here’s hoping we all have artichoke luck this summer!
KK
Steve says
I grow artichokes in Seattle. My oldest plant is at least 20 years old. It will take a while for them to get established. They need space – plant them three to six feet apart. I have both Green Globe and Tempo. Mulch them in the fall, so the roots don’t freeze.
bonnie fuentevilla says
OMG ! They get REALLY big.
Caarol says
I have four that are on their second year. I planted them like you did in a raised bed with a lot of compost and composted manure. They came through this winter just fine, but it is a good idea to mulch them, so that they don’t winterkill after a late frost like mine did the year before. They do get really big, so you may find that you need to thin a few out in your bed. I have read that they produce well for the first three years, and then their production drops off, although I haven’t had mine long enough to find out. They are such a treat to eat and need little care. I have never heard of eating the leaves, as was commented above. We eat the flower buds only. Delicious! Hope you find that you enjoy them, too.
Steve says
They do produce for only a few years, but they put out side shoots and you can use them to keep the plant going. Just cut out the old plant or dig them up and divide them. They are heavy feeders, so if they stop producing, Dig a trench around them and fill it with compost, chicken manure, and organic fertilizer.
Kate says
I have grown them in the Boise, Idaho area. I didn’t start them from seedlings though. I bought pretty good sized starts. We got a just a few artichokes, but they were good. So good steamed in lemon and garlic butter. I did find that the earwigs tried to move in and get in them. And it was to cold to overwinter here. I covered them very well, but they died anyway. Good luck!
Sydney says
How’d you like the artichokes this year? Was our first year too. Though, I fear mine may have died in the crazy cold weather we had here in the beginning of December. :-(. May try again with a plant from Watson’s, or Bainbridge Gardens.
Mavis Butterfield says
Mine died back as well, but I think they will come back. 🙂