How to grow an Artichoke
How to grow an Artichoke
The artichoke is one of the most curious plants you will ever encounter. It is actually a perennial herb from the thistle group. Scientifically, it belongs to the Asteraceae family, which includes all asters. Artichokes are native to the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. As an edible vegetable, the artichoke was first developed in Sicily, Italy, though there is mention of it in both Greek and Roman literature as early as 77 AD. It is known that the North African Moors cultivated the plant near Granada, Spain, around 800 AD and that the artichoke was introduced to England in the mid-1500s, however it was not well received.
The Spanish brought the first artichokes to America when they introduced them to California in the 1600s. An early seed catalogue, published in 1848, offer artichoke seeds for sale. The artichoke did not become a popular vegetable in America until the 1920s when Andrew Molera, who owned land in the Salinas Valley of Monterey, California, decided to lease land he had previously cultivated for sugar beets to any farmer willing to grow artichokes. His venture was highly successful and by 1929, artichokes were the third largest cash crop in the Salinas Valley.
Today, nearly 100 percent of all artichokes grown in the United States are grown in Castroville, California – the self-proclaimed Artichoke Capital of the World. The edible portions of the artichoke include the fleshy bases of the plant’s unopened flower bracts and the heart of the choke. When left to bloom, the choke becomes a beautiful purple, thistle-like flower that can be used in dried flower arrangements.
In the temperate climates of most of the United States, the artichoke is best raised as a container plant. Harvesting History offers three types of artichoke seeds:
- Green Globe – the most common variety with a green globular choke.
- Purple of Romagna – a large-headed purple choke thought to be tenderer than the Green Globe variety.
- Imperial Star – the first artichoke to produce fruit in a single 90-120 day season.
Artichokes require nitrogen rich, well-drained soil, plus plenty of water as the plant matures. Seedlings should be started indoors, 12 weeks before the last spring frost. Seedlings are very susceptible to root rot, so be careful not to overwater during the early stages of growth. If possible, after the first six weeks of growth, move the seedlings to a cold frame. After six weeks in a cold frame, transplant the seedlings into a container that is 16-20 inches in diameter, adding one seedling per container, and fill it with soil that drains easily.
For the Green Globe and Purple of Romagna varieties, continue to feed and water throughout the spring, summer and fall. After removing any dead or dying leaves, bring the containers indoors prior to the first frost and leave them inside until all danger of frost is over. During the winter months, water the artichokes less frequently and do not fertilize them. About six weeks before the containers are placed outside, begin to fertilize again. The plants will produce chokes during the second year, and they should continue to produce chokes each year for about five years. After five years, the plants become less and less productive.
Imperial Star artichoke plants should produce chokes in about 90 days from transplant. Fertilize these plants every two weeks with a nitrogen rich fertilizer and water them frequently. Do not let the plant stand in water. Some gardeners have had success wintering over the Imperial Star artichokes, but some have had the plants produce chokes during the second year.