Artichokes are cool weather-loving plants that can be grown as perennials in warmer climates. However in areas with cold winters artichokes must be protected to survive from one growing season to the next. Properly winterizing artichoke plants is key to ensuring they return vigorously the following spring.
Why Winterize Artichokes?
Artichokes are native to the Mediterranean region. While the edible flower buds tolerate cool conditions, freezing temperatures can damage or kill the plants. Winterizing provides insulation and protection so artichokes can safely go dormant through winter and re-sprout when conditions improve.
If not properly winterized. artichoke plants may suffer
- Root damage from freezing
- Desiccation of roots and crown
- Heaving of roots from freeze/thaw cycles
- Death of the entire plant
Winterized plants emerge healthy and strong the next season maximizing yields.
When to Winterize Artichokes
Timing is critical when winterizing artichoke plants. In most climates, winterizing should be done in late fall after several hard frosts have occurred. The precise timing depends on your specific area’s first freeze date.
Aim to winterize around 4-6 weeks before your average first hard freeze (temperatures below 25°F/-4°C). This ensures plants are protected before damaging cold sets in.
Winterizing Potted Artichokes
For container-grown artichokes, the winterizing process is straightforward:
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Cut back the above-ground growth of the plant after a hard frost. Remove all foliage.
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Move the potted artichoke to an unheated, protected area such as a garage, cellar, or enclosed porch.
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Maintain temperatures between 35-50°F/2-10°C — cool but above freezing.
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Check soil moisture every 4-6 weeks and water very sparingly, just to lightly moisten dry soil.
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Keep an eye out for rotting roots or crowns and discard any that appear damaged.
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In spring after the last frost, move pots back outside and resume normal care.
Winterizing In-Ground Artichokes
Artichokes grown in garden beds require more winter protection than container plants. Here are some effective winterizing methods:
Heavy Mulch
Mound 6-12 inches of mulch such as straw, leaves, or pine needles over the base and surrounding soil. Leave some foliage sticking out the top. Surround with hardware cloth cages staked down to hold mulch in place.
Earth Mounding
Mound soil 8-12 inches over the lower half of plants. Leave some foliage exposed. Mix in mulch for added insulation. Cover mounded area with fabric row cover for extra protection.
Below-Groundstructures
In very cold regions, build structures to sink pots below ground level. Bury entire plants except some foliage. Insulate with mulch.
Root Cellars
In zones 5 and below, dig up roots after a hard frost and store in cool, moist peat or vermiculite in a cold cellar or fridge. Replant in spring.
Spring Care After Winterizing
After making it through winter, artichokes need proper care in spring:
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Gradually remove protective mulch and covers as temperatures warm.
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Watch for new growth and signs of life at the crown.
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Cut back any frost-damaged foliage once new growth appears.
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Gently work soil around roots and plants to check for damage. Prune out soft, mushy roots.
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Fertilize plants to spur growth after winter dormancy.
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Keep spring soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Troubleshooting Winterized Artichokes
Issues that may arise with winterized artichokes and how to address them:
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Rotting crowns/roots: Likely due to excess moisture. Improve drainage.
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Heaving out of soil: Anchor plants or bury deeper to prevent frost pushing roots up.
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Lack of new growth: Wait for warmer soil/air temperatures. Scratch top layer of soil to check for viable crown.
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Standing water: Improve drainage. Elevate plant crowns with mounded soil so they stay dry.
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Rodent damage: Use hardware cloth cages to protect crowns and roots from gnawing pests.
Key Tips for Winterizing Artichokes
Follow these tips for success:
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Select cold-hardy artichoke varieties suited for overwintering.
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Time winterizing based on your first expected fall frost date.
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Potted artichokes just need an unheated spot. In-ground plants need heavy mulch or soil mounds.
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Avoid moisture extremes: don’t over or underwater winterized plants.
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Gradually remove insulation layers in spring as temperatures rise.
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Be patient for new growth; plants are still dormant once brought back outside.
With proper winter care, your artichoke plants can survive cold winters and produce abundantly year after year. Just provide insulation, temperature regulation, and vigilant overwintering conditions.
Growing Artichokes In The North
Artichoke plants are susceptible to freezing. and they don’t typically form their edible flower buds until their second year of growth. Because of this, if you want to start growing artichokes, you should choose a hardier variety with a shorter growing season, like Green Globe or Imperial Star. To grow artichoke plants from seeds, you should bring transplants inside and put them under lights about six to eight weeks before the last frost you expect in the spring.
After the risk of frost has passed, the transplants can be moved to a spot in the garden that gets at least six to eight hours of full sun every day. Artichoke plants can grow up to five feet across, and their leaves are very sharp, so make sure each one has plenty of space.
If you choose a protected site, it can offer some natural protection when the weather gets cool, so keep that in mind as you choose where to grow your artichoke crop. Organic liquid or granular fertilizer should be used on your plants all through the growing season to keep them happy, healthy, and strong. An artichoke plant might send up a flower stalk in its first year, but this doesn’t happen very often. Pick the buds while they’re still tightly closed and before the purple flower color shows up if you’re lucky and the plant blooms.
No matter if you can pick chokes the first or second year, secondary buds often appear after the first buds are picked. Though they may not be a large, these secondary chokes are also delicious.
When the cool weather of fall comes, the next step is to make sure your artichoke plants make it through the winter safely.
3 Easy Steps to Protect Your Artichoke Plants Against Winter Weather
FAQ
Should you cut back artichokes for winter?
What to do with artichokes in winter?
How to overwinter artichokes in pots?
How to care for artichokes in winter?
To care for artichokes in winter, you can dig up and store the plants. When frost is expected, cut the plants all the way down to the ground. Gently dig up the crowns and root system from the ground, and shake off as much soil as possible from the roots.
How do you overwinter artichokes?
To overwinter artichokes, one option is to dig up the entire plant when frost threatens. This method, called bare-root, is probably the easiest and doesn’t require much room. Begin the process by cutting the plants all the way down to ground level, then gently shake all the soil from the roots.
How do you plant artichokes in winter?
Plant artichokes with other perennial vegetables such as asparagus. Where the winter is cold, cut plants back to about 10 inches (25cm) and cover them with a box or basket, and then mulch with about 2 feet (.6m) of straw or leaves to help maintain an even soil temperature.
Can artichokes grow during winter?
Artichokes are hardy to USDA zone 6 and occasionally zone 5 during mild winters with proper care. They can grow and produce for up to seven years, making it beneficial to protect artichoke plants during winter.