globe artichoke

[Nicos]

Has anyone grown these? We have just put an order in for a few plants and would be interested in any words of advice as we have never grown them before.

[poultrychat]

I can't really give you advice but I have grown them before, I grew them for the flowers and the bees who loved them and the flowers were amazing. I seem to remember with the ones that I grew that if you wanted a crop off them don't let them flower in the first year. I have just ordered some seeds as well, I'm not sure yet whether they will be in the veggie patch or the garden

[Geordie]

Nicos,

I have 2 plants....we dont eat it a lot and I believe they are from the thistle family.

Artichokes are perennials. Importantly, they will rarely produce flowers the first year. Make sure to plant them where the bed will not be disturbed. Approximately 90 to 100 daysfor maturity, but remember, most Artichoke do not produce buds the first year.

The Artichoke bud should be harvested just before the bud begins to open. Cut the main bud a few inches below the bud. Smaller secondary buds will form later, and can also be harvested.

Plan ahead. Normally it takes an artichoke plant two years before it produces it's first bulb.

Unharvested buds will produce big, beautiful flowers. So if you miss the harvest, the garden will look pretty.

Slugs like the young shoots, and are especially a problem in wet weather. Aphids like to suck on the flower buds and stems as they are developing.

[Nicos]

thanks- what happens in winter? Do they need cutting back? are they frost hardy?Do they do ok in semi-shade?so much to find out....!

[Lesley Jay]

They like a sunny sheltered location. Cut them down in late Autumn and cover the crowns for protection from the frosts. Plant up the rooted suckers and then after a few years get rid of the original plant - like strawberries.