Growing Artichokes (Globe)

Cynara scolymus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing Artichokes (Globe) in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • 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
  • Ready to harvest
  • Globe artichokes

Superthistles growing to 1.2 - 1.3 m high with a spread of 1.2 x 1.2 m.

Very pretty, can be part of a herbacious border.

Harvest from second year. Artichokes grow particularly well in sandy soil. Can be propagated by suckers or offsets. In temperate/warm areas a well fertilised plant will live for about five years and throw up suckers each year. Artichokes aren't hardy enough to overwinter in areas with very cold winters. In cold areas choose a hardy variety from a local supplier and grow it as an annual, with 10 days' exposure to cool daytime temperatures during spring. Transplant only when all danger of frost is past in your area. Aphids and earwigs can be a nuisance.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Artichokes (Globe)

Pick buds before scales develop brown tips .
If you have lots of small buds, they can be fried in olive oil and eaten whole.
Rinse in plenty of cold water to remove earwigs or other insects.

Your comments and tips

29 Aug 23, Bonnie (USA - Zone 7b climate)
What does it mean to plant under cover? Inside, or under a roof, or under one of those plastic covers like a mini-greenhouse? Thank you!
06 Sep 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Out of the sunlight. Google about it.
15 Aug 23, Roz McWilliam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would like to grow globe artichokes in Townsville (dry tropics). Is this possible please and if yes what’s the best way? Cheers
06 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - tropical climate)
Set your climate zone to Tropical and read the notes about growing it.
22 Jul 23, Olabisi Vincent Ogofohun (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Will Artichokes grow in Nigeria?
07 Jul 23, (USA - Zone 5a climate)
How do I grow Globe artichokes in my zone?
10 Jul 23, (USA - Zone 5a climate)
For Zone 5a, plant undercover in ssed trays in February, Plant out seedlings in April and youc an also sow seeds direct in April. 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.
21 Apr 23, Cathy Krasnianski (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Zone 10b. First year growing Green Globe & Violet de Provence. Both are doing very well. Not sure if necessary to prune down in late Fall, as our winters never go below 30 degrees. Haven’t found this info anywhere on the Internet.
19 Jan 23, Darla Herring (USA - Zone 7a climate)
Hi there, We have chaotic weather here in Amarillo, Tx. 4 degrees one night in winter, 60 the next day. Sometimes we get snow, usually we don't. Some winters seem like spring/summer, some are freezing. Then occasionally we get a serious freeze in April and a storm that blows everybody's metal roof off. I planted an imperial star or green globe artichoke 8 years ago - it has nice-looking pink spiky looking flowers. I can't get rid of it and I can't make it produce any more than 2.5" artichokes that are hard and inedible. We get to 108 occasionally in the summer. Why are artichokes listed as ok for zone 7A? Nobody I know can grow them here. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
13 Jan 23, Carolyn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in Brisbane and I have not had success in growing Globe Artichokes in the subtropical climate. Has anyone in SEQ managed to successfully grow them? What are your tips?
Showing 1 - 10 of 122 comments

I would love the pickling recipe too using olive oil. thanks

- Wendy

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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