We stock the standard green-headed Globe artichoke variety, reaching up to 170cm in height. Attractive large blue thistle-like flower heads if allowed to flower.
SOW: indoors Feb through May. Sow outdoors mid March through June
HARVEST: Harvest July through Sep
SOWING INDOORS:
Sow seeds thinly on surface of moist compost in seed tray and cover lightly with compost. When large enough to handle transfer to individual pots, and after hardening off transfer them out to final positions (approximately 1 metre apart!) around May.
SOWING OUTDOORS:
Sow in shallow, pre watered row and cover with soil (1cm deep). Keep moist and thin out seedlings to 5cm apart. Transplant to final cropping positions when seedlings are large enough to handle by mid summer.
GENERAL INFO:
Artichoke can be productive for up to 4 years and do prefer a sunny position. In the first season, prevent the plant from flowering by pinching out the buds, this will encourage a better root system. In year two, restrict the flowering buds to just 5, snipping off the heads when they are about 7.5cm across. Snip about 10cm below the bud.
Note that once the bud begins to open and flower, it is inedible. In October, cut down the foliage, and lightly cover the crowns with bark, removing in the first week in March.
