How to Plant Globe Artichokes in Your Garden

The Allure of the Globe Artichoke: More Than Just a Vegetable

Globe artichokes (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) are not your everyday garden vegetable. With their dramatic, architectural foliage, formidable appearance, and the exquisite delicacy of their edible buds, they are a statement plant that rewards patient gardeners with a unique culinary experience. Often mistaken for a spiky thistle, the globe artichoke is, in fact, a member of the thistle family, bred specifically for its tender hearts and fleshy bracts. Growing them from seed or transplant can seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and a touch of horticultural grit, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of this prized perennial. This guide will walk you through every step of planting globe artichokes, from selecting the best varieties to ensuring a thriving crop.

Understanding Globe Artichoke Growth Habits

Before you get your hands dirty, it’s essential to understand what makes globe artichokes tick. These are robust, long-lived perennials that thrive in temperate climates.

Perennial Nature and Lifespan

Globe artichokes are typically perennial, meaning they will come back year after year. In ideal conditions, a well-maintained plant can produce for 5-10 years, sometimes even longer. Each plant grows into a large, spreading mound of silvery-green, deeply lobed leaves, often reaching 3-5 feet in height and width. The edible flower buds, which are the primary harvest, form on tall, sturdy stalks in their second year of growth.

Climate and Soil Requirements

Globe artichokes are sun-worshippers, demanding at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. They prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. While they can tolerate a range of soil types, they will perform best in loamy or sandy loam. They are not fans of soggy feet, so good drainage is paramount to prevent root rot.

They are hardy in USDA Zones 7-10, but with protection, they can be grown in cooler climates (Zones 5-6) as annuals or by providing winter insulation. They benefit from a period of winter dormancy, which helps trigger flower bud formation in the following season.

Key Facts about Globe Artichokes

To help you get started, here’s a quick overview of what you need to know:

Choosing Your Globe Artichoke Variety

Several popular varieties are suited for home gardens, each offering slightly different characteristics in terms of hardiness, bud size, and flavor.

Popular Varieties for Home Gardens

• ‘Imperial Star’: This is often recommended for its ease of growth from seed and its ability to produce edible buds in the first year. It’s a slightly more compact variety, making it suitable for smaller gardens.
• ‘Green Globe’: A classic and reliable producer, known for its large, flavorful buds. It’s a vigorous grower and a consistent performer.
• ‘Violetto’: This Italian heirloom produces smaller, intensely purple-hued buds. It’s often more tender and sweeter than green varieties.
• ‘King of the Market’: Another well-established variety known for its robust growth and substantial bud production.

Starting Your Artichokes: Seed vs. Transplant

You have two primary methods for introducing globe artichokes to your garden: starting from seed or purchasing young plants (transplants).

• From Seed: Growing from seed offers a wider variety of choices and is more economical. However, artichoke seeds have a lower germination rate and require a longer growing season. For best results, start seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before your last expected frost. Seeds need warmth to germinate, ideally around 70-80°F (21-27°C). Stratification (a period of cold treatment) can improve germination for some varieties, though ‘Imperial Star’ is often bred to not require it.
• From Transplants: Purchasing young plants from a reputable nursery is the quickest way to get established. It bypasses the sometimes tricky germination phase and gives you a head start on the growing season. Look for healthy, vigorous plants with no signs of wilting or disease.

Preparing the Planting Site

Selecting and preparing the right spot in your garden is crucial for a successful artichoke patch.

Sunlight is Key

As mentioned, globe artichokes are sun-lovers. Choose a location that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. Avoid areas that are shaded by trees or buildings, especially during the midday hours.

Soil Preparation for Optimal Growth

Artichokes are heavy feeders and appreciate rich, well-draining soil.

1. Test Your Soil: Before planting, consider testing your soil’s pH. Artichokes prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ideally between 6.5 and 7.5.
2. Amend the Soil: Incorporate a generous amount of compost or well-rotted manure into the planting area. Aim for a soil depth of at least 12 inches. This will improve drainage, fertility, and soil structure.
3. Improve Drainage: If your soil is heavy clay, you may need to create raised beds or incorporate materials like perlite or coarse sand to enhance drainage.

The Planting Process: Step-by-Step

Whether you’re planting seeds or transplants, the process involves careful attention to spacing and depth.

Planting Seeds Indoors

1. Timing: Start seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before the last expected frost date in your region.
2. Sowing: Fill small pots or seed trays with a high-quality seed-starting mix. Sow 1-2 seeds per cell, about 1/4 inch deep.
3. Watering: Gently water the soil to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
4. Warmth: Place the pots in a warm location, using a heat mat if necessary to maintain temperatures between 70-80°F (21-27°C).
5. Light: Once seedlings emerge, provide them with plenty of light, either from a sunny windowsill or under grow lights.
6. Hardening Off: About a week before transplanting outdoors, gradually expose the seedlings to outdoor conditions. Start with a few hours in a sheltered spot, increasing the time and exposure each day.

Transplanting Seedlings or Young Plants

1. Timing: Transplant seedlings or young plants into the garden after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up.
2. Spacing: Globe artichokes require ample space to grow. Space plants 3-5 feet apart, depending on the variety and your desired planting density. This allows for good air circulation, which helps prevent fungal diseases.
3. Digging the Hole: Dig a hole that is twice as wide and as deep as the root ball of your plant.
4. Planting Depth: Plant the seedling or young plant so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. If planting seeds that were started indoors, ensure they are planted at the same depth they were in their container.
5. Backfilling and Watering: Gently backfill the hole with the amended soil, firming it around the base of the plant to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly to settle the soil and help the roots establish.
6. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or compost, around the base of the plant. This helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the main stem to prevent rot.

Caring for Your Globe Artichoke Plants

Once planted, your artichokes will need consistent care to thrive and produce a bountiful harvest.

Watering

Globe artichokes have a deep root system, but they require consistent moisture, especially during hot, dry periods and when flower buds are developing. Water deeply and less frequently rather than shallowly and often. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist. A drip irrigation system or soaker hoses are ideal as they deliver water directly to the root zone and keep the foliage dry, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

Fertilizing

Artichokes are heavy feeders.

• Spring Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth appears.
• Mid-Season Feeding: Another application of compost or a side dressing of balanced fertilizer can be beneficial when flower buds begin to form.
• Avoid Over-Fertilizing with Nitrogen: Too much nitrogen can lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of flower bud production.

Weeding

Regular weeding is essential, as artichokes do not tolerate competition from weeds. Mulching helps significantly in controlling weeds, but hand-pulling any that emerge is still necessary. Be careful not to damage the shallow roots of young plants when weeding.

Pruning and Deadheading

• Removing Suckers: Artichoke plants will often send up multiple shoots or suckers from the base. For larger, more substantial buds, it’s often recommended to remove all but the strongest 2-3 shoots. This concentrates the plant’s energy.
• Deadheading Spent Flower Stalks: Once a bud has been harvested, the stalk should be cut back to the ground. This encourages the plant to produce more buds from other stalks.
• End-of-Season Pruning: In late fall, after the first hard frost, you can cut the entire plant back to about 6-8 inches above the ground.

Winter Care and Protection

The level of winter care required depends on your climate.

In Mild Climates (Zones 7-10)

In areas where winters are mild, artichokes can often overwinter with minimal protection. A good layer of mulch around the base of the plant will provide insulation.

In Colder Climates (Zones 5-6)

If you are growing artichokes in cooler climates, you will need to provide more significant winter protection or treat them as annuals.

1. Cut Back: After the first hard frost, cut the foliage back to about 6 inches from the ground.
2. Mound with Soil or Compost: Mound a generous layer of compost or soil (6-12 inches) over the crown of the plant.
3. Cover with Mulch: Add a thick layer of straw or leaves over the mound for extra insulation.
4. Consider a Cold Frame or Row Cover: For an extra layer of protection, you can construct a simple cold frame over the plant or use heavy-duty row covers.

Pros and Cons of Growing Globe Artichokes

Here’s a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of cultivating these unique plants:

Harvesting Your Globe Artichokes

The moment of truth arrives when your artichoke buds are ready for harvest.

When to Harvest

Artichoke buds are ready to harvest when they are firm and have tightly closed, plump bracts. The size of the bud can vary depending on the variety and growing conditions, but typically they are harvested when they are about 3-4 inches in diameter. Squeeze the bud gently; if it feels firm and substantial, it’s likely ready. You may also hear a slight squeak when you squeeze it – a sign of peak freshness! Harvest them before they begin to open or before the flower opens, as this will affect the texture and flavor.

How to Harvest

Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the stalk about 1-2 inches below the bud. For the first harvest of the season, it’s best to harvest the main, terminal bud. After the main bud is removed, the plant will often produce smaller, side shoots that will also yield edible buds. Continue harvesting these as they mature.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While generally hardy, globe artichokes can encounter a few problems.

Pests

• Aphids: These small insects can infest new growth and buds. A strong blast of water from a hose can often dislodge them. For more severe infestations, insecticidal soap or neem oil can be effective.
• Artichoke Plume Moth: The larvae of this moth can burrow into the buds. Look for small holes and droppings. Control measures include removing infested buds and using row covers early in the season.
• Slugs and Snails: These gastropods can chew holes in the leaves and buds. Use slug bait, beer traps, or handpick them from your plants.

Diseases

• Leaf Spot and Powdery Mildew: These fungal diseases can occur in humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation by proper spacing and prune away affected foliage. Avoid overhead watering.
• Root Rot: This is usually caused by poor drainage. Ensure your soil is well-draining, and avoid overwatering.

Conclusion: A Rewarding Garden Endeavor

Growing globe artichokes is an investment in your garden and your palate. From their striking foliage that adds a touch of Mediterranean flair to their unique and delicious edible buds, these plants offer a rewarding gardening experience. By understanding their needs for sun, rich soil, and consistent care, you can successfully cultivate this thistle’s treasure and enjoy a harvest that is sure to impress. So, embrace the challenge, plant your globe artichokes with confidence, and prepare to savor the fruits (or rather, buds) of your labor.