Purple Artichoke 4 Plants - Delicious Perennial Vegetable - 2.5" Pots
Although seldom thought of as a common garden vegetable, the artichoke is actually quite easy to grow.Planting:Being a perennial vegetable, Globe artichoke needs to be planted in a garden spot where it won't be disturbed by yearly cultivation. Before planting the seedlings, make sure that you spade the ground deeply, and supply it with good compost or manure. It is important that artichokes are planted where they get at least 6 hours or more of sun, as they will not develop properly without it. Artichokes also need to stay wet constantly, and with a good supply of moisture, can yield 12 or more buds per plant. You can either buy and transplant one from a nursery, or start one from a seed indoors. Set the seedlings into the ground when there is no danger of frost, allowing at least four feet between rows and plants. In colder regions grow the artichoke in pots and bring inside to a sunny window during the winter.Growing:Once the plants become well established, numerous suckers will appear will appear at the base of the stems. The weaker shoots should be removed, with only five or six remaining for later transplanting. In the Fall, the stems must be cut one foot from the ground, and the crowns of the plants covered with a heavy and porous mulch.Harvesting:As soon as flower buds are visible, the plants should be checked daily, and the buds picked just before the petals begin to open.Proper name: Cynara scolymusHardy in zones 6-9