Growing Artichokes
Cynara Scolymus – Perennial vegetable.
Size: 3-6 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
Features:Thistlelike plant that gives an edible flower bud
Uses: For use in a the vegetable garden with the intention to harvest and eat. Some gardeners grow artichokes in the flower border because of it’s beautiful bold-featured leaves.
Needs: Needs full sun. Artichoke prefers rich, well-drained soil with good moisture but will tolerate poorer soils and less moisture. It may die out in winters with freezing temperatures. Plants lose productivity after 4 years. Plant established plants in late winter after all danger of frost has passed.
Planting: Plant 2-3 feet apart in rows 3 feet apart. cut off the artichoke with 1 inch to 1 1/2 inch stem before it begins to open. In winter, cut back plants to 10 inches and cover with loose winter mulch. In cold regions, grow as an annual.
Artichokes are bothered by few pests and insects.
Look for plants that are thornless, mature quickly and produce many artichokes per plant.
It is a good choice for growing as an annual.
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May 28, 2006 - 11:07 pm
I live in the very southeast corner of Iowa. I love artichokes & I couldn’t believe I saw a plant at Walmart when I went to buy my tomatoes, pepper plants etc. for my garden. I planted it in a large pot & put it on my deck. It’s getting tall about 2 feet. But the small outside leaves (original leaves) are turning yellow & dying. Is this normal? I don’t have a clue what I should be doing with this plant. It seems to take a lot of water the soil gets dry pretty fast. I just would like to get afew artickokes from this plant (Veggies taste so much better when you grow them yourself).I don’t even know if a plant produces more than one artichoke? Any advice you can give me about growing this artichoke I will be so grateful as I don’t know what I’m doing. Thank You, Sherry
May 29, 2006 - 7:27 pm
Hi Sherry – to the best of my knowledge, the bottom leaves (original seedling leaves) usually do turn yellow and die off as soon as some of the larger leaves develop. if it seems like the rest of the plant is doing well – I would prune those bottom yellow leaves off once they turn brown and die.
Artichokes LOVE water – so yes, they do take alot of moisture.
They are a relatively large plant – - I give them more room than even my tomato plants.
The yeild on a single artichoke plant will vary – depending on the age of the plant (they grow year to year, no need to replant – just need to cut back at the end of the season.. it will grow back next year.) the yeild can be one artichoke per plant for young plants and up to 12 per plant for older ones (4+ years old)
Good luck with your artichokes, Sherry!
June 22, 2006 - 3:50 pm
I have a two, 1inch plant that I began from seeds. They both look very healthy and I was wondering if I could plant them in a big pot on my deck, if so, what size should I get, I really don’t know how big these plants grow?
Also we live right near the ocean, there is sand everwhere and it is very windy and salty in the air. Will this harm the plants?
Thanks so much for your advice, Tonia