Growing Artichokes (Globe)

Cynara scolymus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

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

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 15°C and 18°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 160 - 200 cm apart
  • Harvest in 42-57 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Needs a lot of space. Best in separate bed

Your comments and tips

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06 Jan 21, Judy (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I planted my artichokes in the wrong place. Can I transplant them at the end of winter while they are dormant? I planted them in Nov 2020
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01 Jan 21, Dani (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Must the artichoke plants be covered or cut down in winter, we are in Kempton Park, Gauteng and we do have frost in winter I have 30 plants about 500mm tall and will be trans -planting 40 more seedlings grown from seed in approx 10 days. Regards Dani Pera.
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05 Jan 21, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Read the notes here, harvest 42-57 weeks, so chopping them down or covering them would probably kill them.
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12 Dec 20, John Chrystal (USA - Zone 8a climate)
I had 2 of 3 over winter last year with no preparation and enjoyed 3 dozen tennis ball sized bulbs. For this year I started 2 dozen more, half green globe and half purple. 18 survived they went into the ground (French Mound beds) in late July. Now I’m wondering should I feed them and/or mulch them and if so, with what?
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14 Dec 20, (USA - Zone 3a climate)
If leaves are rich green colour then they have enough fert, if yellow then apply some general fert. Mulch with anything, have it loose so water can go through it. Only put it on about50-70mm thick.
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24 Nov 20, Jack McLeod (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I live in Salem, just outside Grahamstown, summer rainfall and cold winters. Could I grow artichokes.
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25 Nov 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Check the monthly planting calendar for SA Summer Rainfall climate zone.
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28 Oct 20, Karen Jean (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Can I grow artichoke seed green globe & Purple of Romagna in a plant pot? I have a 14” pot or should I go larger? How many seeds should I plant in one?
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21 Apr 24, SoCal BYGarden (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Go BIG. A 2'x2' planter is likely the smallest you can do the plant will hide the planter when in full bloom. Cut it down when is started to go brown or comes back every year.
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28 Oct 20, Anonymous (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Plant Spacing- 160-200cm, 5-7 feet. That is between each plant.
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Showing 31 - 40 of 131 comments
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My artichokes grow well in heavy black clay soil. I am an hour inland from Noosa. My plants are lightly mulched. To fruit they need water and preferably rain water. I suggest giving it another go and plant in another spot. I was told fennel wouldn't grow in my area and it is growing well. I often have failures but try again in another spot. I think if you have scotch thistles in your area definitely try again. Happy gardening.

- Margaret

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