You can roast, grill, fry, or steam artichokes to make them taste great. They are also very pretty in the garden, with their shapely leaves that are silver-green and their bright purple flowers. If you want to grow artichokes in your garden, here’s what you need to know.
You can also get a copy of my “How Do I Grow Artichokes?” one-sheet for free and keep it close by.
Commercially, nearly all artichokes are grown in coastal central California, with mild winters and foggy summers. In such conditions, artichokes can produce as perennials for years.
Artichokes grow best in zones 10 and 11, which are humid and frost-free. In zones 7 to 9, artichokes just might overwinter. In cooler climates, artichokes can be grown as annuals.
Artichokes are unique and delicious vegetables that can add interest to any garden. Though they may seem intimidating to grow, artichokes can be grown from seed with proper care and timing. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through each step of the process and provide tips for successfully growing artichokes from seed.
Getting Started
The first step is acquiring artichoke seeds. Look for varieties labeled as “annual” or “seed-raised” artichokes, as these are suitable for growing from seed in one season. Some reputable seed sources include Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Seeds of Change, and Urban Farmer.
When selecting your seeds, choose early-maturing varieties adapted to your planting zone. Popular options include ‘Imperial Star’ and ‘Opera’. For best germination, soak the seeds in water for 24-36 hours before planting.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Artichokes have a long growing season of 90 days or more, so it’s best to start them indoors 6-12 weeks before your last expected frost date. Plant the seeds 1⁄4 inch deep in containers or cell trays Root trainer pots that are 6-8 inches deep work well to accommodate the taproot.
Keep the seeds between 70-80°F to germinate, then lower to 60-70°F during the day and 50-60°F at night for growing on. Thin to one seedling per cell or pot. Aim for stocky, healthy transplants about 6 inches tall.
Vernalizing Seedlings
Here’s a key step for artichokes – the seedlings must be ‘vernalized’ by exposing them to cool temperatures between 32-50°F for 2-4 weeks. This mimics winter conditions and encourages the plants to flower in the first season when temperatures warm again.
A porch or cold frame are good spots for vernalizing, Just take care to prevent frost damage, Start hardening off the seedlings about 2 weeks before vernalizing by taking them outside on warm days
Transplanting Outdoors
After vernalizing, wait until after your last expected frost date to transplant artichoke seedlings into the garden Space the plants 2-3 feet apart in rows spaced 3-6 feet apart. Prepare the garden bed with compost to enrich the soil.
Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Amend dense or clay soils with organic matter to allow proper drainage. Water the new transplants regularly until they become established. Add a layer of mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture.
Caring for Artichoke Plants
Artichokes thrive with consistent moisture and good nutrition. Water them regularly, especially during flowering and bud development. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea.
Feed them with compost and organic matter like aged manure. Mulch heavily around the base. Stake larger plants if needed. Monitor for pests like aphids, mites, and larvae and treat promptly to avoid damage.
Harvesting
You can begin harvesting artichoke buds once they reach about 3 inches in diameter. Cut the buds just above the base with 2 inches of stem attached before they start to open. Lower buds on the plant will be smaller.
After harvesting all buds, cut each plant back by about a third to encourage new growth and a potential fall crop in warmer zones. Store harvested buds in the refrigerator to enjoy fresh.
Tips for Success
- Start seeds early indoors and use deep containers
- Vernalize seedlings for 2-4 weeks before transplanting
- Plant in full sun in enriched, well-draining soil
- Mulch and water consistently
- Fertilize every 2-3 weeks
- Stake tall varieties if needed
- Monitor for pests and treat promptly
- Harvest buds when 3 inches across
With the right care and timing, you can enjoy growing artichokes from seed. Pay close attention to planting times, vernalizing, and plant nutrition. In return, you’ll be rewarded with fresh, homegrown artichoke buds.
Where, When and How to Plant Artichokes
Plant artichoke crowns or transplants in a spot that gets full sun to partial shade after all danger of frost has passed, which is two weeks after the normal last frost date. Avoid an area where plants will have to compete with trees for water and nutrients. If you want to grow artichoke as a perennial, don’t put it in annual planting beds, where the plants may get messed up by the frequent turning over.
The two most common reasons artichokes fail are drought in summer and waterlogged soil in winter. To avoid both of these situations, the soil should retain moisture yet drain well too.
Artichokes will be very unhappy in heavy soil, like clay. The best possible soil is a sandy loam generously amended with compost.
Leave a lot of space between plants because they can grow to be over 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide when they’re done. Plant on mounds or in raised rows, so excess water can drain away more easily.
Loosen the roots of transplants before placing them in a hole just as big as the root ball. Backfill the hole until the roots are completely covered, and water in. Add more soil if applying water exposed the roots.
Crowns should be planted 6 to 8 inches deep. Planting time could be as early as August or as late as December, depending on your local climate. There’s a good chance that it’s time to plant them if they are for sale at your local nursery. If you’re not sure, you can always ask your local cooperative extension for tips.
If you want to grow artichoke as an annual, you should choose a type like Imperial Star, which was made to grow a little faster than other types. It takes 85 days from transplant to harvest.
Green Globe is a reliable cold-weather producer that is hardy in zones 7 and above. It is intended to be grown as a perennial, and it flowers in early summer.
The Italian classic Violetto is famous for its purple heads. While later maturing than Green Globe, it produces greater yields. It’s hardy in zones 6 and above.
Colorado Star is a variety that is new to the market in just the past couple of years. Like Imperial Star, it blooms early. Both were created by breeder Keith Mayberry, but Colorado Star is purple instead of green. It can become a perennial if grown in zone 7 or warmer.
Artichokes are heavy feeders. Compost-rich soil gives artichokes a good start and a wide range of nutrients. However, a balanced all-purpose organic fertilizer should be added to the soil to make it even better.
Mature artichoke plants can be side-dressed with high-nitrogen fertilizer. In a region where artichokes grow as perennials and produce all year long, apply fertilizer in fall. If you live in a place where perennial artichokes die back in the winter, feed them again when new crowns start to grow in the spring.
When they are growing, artichokes should get about an inch of water every week. When it’s really hot, they need even more. You should water your plants more if it hasn’t rained for a week and less than an inch has fallen.
An inch or two of organic mulch applied around plants will help retain moisture between waterings.
If the soil is heavy and won’t drain, don’t water as much. Artichoke plants don’t like their feet to be wet.
Artichoke Seeds and Divisions
For gardeners in central California, artichoke divisions are easy to come by at local nurseries in-season. Divisions, also known as crowns, are perfect because they are exact copies of the parent plant, so you know what you’re getting.
Ensure that divisions are from a reliable source and free of disease.
Even if you buy artichoke seeds from a reputable company, they might not always grow into the type that is shown on the packet. This is just a quirk of artichokes and how they reproduce. But it’s okay if you live somewhere where artichokes can’t be grown as perennials. You might only be able to grow them from seeds. Any slight variation is tolerable.
Seeds should be started indoors early, 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Plant seeds ¼ inch deep in seed starting mix. The soil temperature must be 60 to 80 degrees for the seeds to germinate, so a heated seed-starting mat can be used to ensure the proper temperature. In 10 days to three weeks, the seeds will germinate. Thin to one seed per cell.
How to Grow Artichokes Start to Finish – Complete Growing Guide
FAQ
How long does it take to grow artichokes from seed?
Do artichokes come back every year?
Why are artichokes hard to grow?
Should I soak artichoke seeds before planting?
How long does it take to grow artichokes from seeds?
Growing artichokes from seeds isn’t difficult but it does take a few weeks longer than crops like tomatoes or peppers. I start the seeds indoors in trays and cell packs 12 weeks before my last frost date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in pre-moistened potting mix. Expect the seedings to emerge in 10 to 14 days.
Do artichokes grow from seed?
Growing artichokes from seed is cheaper than purchasing young plants, but does mean a longer growing season and you will benefit from starting artichoke seeds as early as possible if you are growing them as an annual. Start seeds as early as 10-12 weeks before the last frost date for your area.
How do you grow artichokes?
Artichokes are heavy feeders. For each plant, mix a shovel of compost or aged manure into the soil before planting. They require consistent moisture, but do not like to be in waterlogged soil. Artichokes can be started from seeds, from rooted shoots taken from growing plants, or from dormant roots.
When should you plant artichoke seeds?
Keep weeds out when artichoke plants are small. Once the plants are larger and well-established, they often overtake the weeds. In growing zones with mild winters, you can plant out seedlings in October and November. They will be fine if temperatures don’t drop below 32ºF when the plants are still seedlings.