About Planning Preparation Care Pests / Disease Harvesting Varieties Shopping Links Forum Topics Blog Entries Articles / Recipes
About Artichokes
Artichokes have a history spanning centuries to when the Romans paid a high price for this thistle relative. They would preserve the artichokes for use throughout the year. After the fall of the Roman Empire artichokes were not a mainstay in the cuisine of any culture until hundreds of years later where they again appeared in the cuisine of southern Italian kitchens. After being brought to France and Spain from Italy they made thier way to the Americas by early explorers.
Artichokes are flower buds that are both large and laden with heavy scales. Most artichoke production in the US is done in the cool valleys of the Northern and Central Californian coast, much the same as with grape production in this region. Artichokes for the most part thrive on cool, humid and moderate conditions. Some determined gardeners have been able to produce artichokes in northern regions and a variety known as "Creole" manages in the south.
Planning
Artichokes are a perrenial crop best grown in mild coastal areas that are cooler but humid. In regions with mild winters artichokes can be grown so long as hot summer and spring periods the plants are well watered.
Most artichokes are grown from root divisions as they do not grow well from seed. Root divisions may be purchased from many local garden stores and mail order catalogs. A full sized clump of root divisions will produce three or four plants.
If you do wish to plant artichokes from seed, start seeds outdoors in the spring at just about the time of the last frost.
Be prepared to keep the bed moist until growth starts. This means site your location in a place that has ready access to water.
Preparation
Plant root division six to eight inches deep with four to six feet between plants. Because artichoke plants can get very large you will want nearly seven feet between rows.
Artichoke plants are heavy feeders so add plenty of composted manure or nutrient rich humus to the planting area.
Care
In areas of year-round artichoke production be sure to feed your plants in the fall with a nitrogen rich fertilizer and divide your plants every three to four years to maintain a high yield. In colder regions feed plants in the spring when new growth starts with a full pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer per planting.
Mulch plants when they are about 6 to 8 inches tall. Side dress plantings every three to four weeks with several tablespoons of 5-10-10 or equivalent.
In autumn cut the plants back to the ground. In cooler regions cut the plants back to about 15 to 18 inches in height, bend the stalks over and mulch them heavily with autumn leaves. Secure the bent plants with a rain proof tarp until spring.
Pests / Disease
Snails and slugs are the most common critters to affect artichokes. Handpicking, traps and bait are the most common defenses available to gardeners suffering these pests. Another insect that damages artichokes is the artichoke plume moth. It lays its' eggs in the bud of the artichoke plant.
Harvesting
Artichokes may be harvested when the flower buds are roughly 4 inches across and prior to them opening. Cut them with shears or a knife and be sure to retain a part of the stem which is also edible.
Artichoke Varieties
|
Unable to locate an online source for Artochoke varieties.
Check with your local nursery. |
Shop for Artichoke Needs
|
|
Unable to locate an online source for Artichokes.
Check with your local nursery. |
Artichoke Links
Recent Forum Entires About Artichokes
There are currently no recent forum entries about artichokes.
Garden Blog Entries about Artichokes
Articles and Recipes With Artichokes
There are currently no articles or recipes with artichokes. Check back soon.