Crown-planted perennial artichoke fields are planted in late spring. The thick fleshy crowns are separated into large chunks about 8 to 10 inches across and are planted in the field, which has previously been marked out in a grid pattern. The crowns are planted by hand with shovels and covered with 1 to 2 inches of soil. Sprinkler irrigation follows to settle the soil around the crowns and start growth. Mature Plantings .
Mature plantings are perennial artichoke stands that are at least one year old.
In summer the artichoke stand is treated with herbicides or cultivated several times to remove weeds between plants. Drain ditches are established in October and November and kept in place during the rainy winter period. Following the rainy period, the drainage ditches are filled in and the area between the plant rows is cultivated for spring weed management. Producing a uniform, vigorous artichoke stand and then maintaining it in this condition can eliminate many weed control problems. Top growth in a mature stand, when uniform and vigorous, is a very good competitor with most annual weeds.