Growing Cardoon
Cynara cardunculus : Asteraceae / the daisy family
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | |||||||||||
| T |
(Best months for growing Cardoon in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)
- S = Plant undercover in seed trays
- T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
- Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 13°C and 25°C.
- Space plants: 50 - 150 cm apart
- Harvest in 34-35 weeks.
- Compatible with (can grow beside): Best grown in separate bed.
Cardoon is a tender perennial from the same family as globe artichokes, grown as an annual for its young leaf-stalks.
Blanch the stems. Tie the leaves together in a bunch and wrap paper or sacking around the stems. Or, form a hill of soil around the stem. Harvest four to six weeks after blanching. Cut them off at ground level and trim off the outer leaves.
Culinary hints - cooking and eating Cardoon
Cut off the base and leaves, then cut the stalks into pieces.
Boil the stalks for around 20 minutes until tender: drain, and peel off the surface of the stalks. Add precooked cardoons to a variety of dishes, they go well with mushrooms.
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