I was reading my Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog and I noticed that some artichokes are hardy down to zone 7.

Is anyone growing artichokes ?

What has been you experience. Were they good? Good harvest? Did they make it thru the winter?

Discuss...

I grew some, they were woody and bitter if you don't water enough when it is hot.  I covered them in a couple feet of straw after the first hard frost and cut the leaves down to about a foot.  It was one of the bred for northern climates instead of green globe.  I got quiet a few chokes from each plant, but since I was not wanting to water too much I took them out and so did my neighbours, they get really small when they were not watered enough and it is very hot out (july and half august).  Also they seemed to like lots of organic matter so before planting them, I would recommend adding a lot of composted manure and other compost.

Where in Canada do you reside Chivas, if you don't mind me asking?

Rich , We just planted Artichokes, we bought from our local Heirloom veggies supplier nursery. The variety he gave us is called "Imperial Star" AKA (Cynara Scolymus), there were 3 in one 4" pot, needs full sun exposure. 

I do not like artichokes but the perfume from the flower is outstanding and very unique.

I started three Imperial Star from seed last season and here in zone 10b, the winter wasn't a problem.  They're now HUGE, in 15 or 20 gallon pots, and need daily watering, but haven't flowered yet.

I am trying Romanesco, some in ground, some in pots in my zone.

Has anyone had success with Artichokes in zone 6? I might try it this year and build a cage with leafs around it in the winter. I heard "Northern Star" was the hardiest but I cannot find a sourse of seeds anywhere.

I am growing 3 varieties of artichokes in my garden. Green Globe, Violetta, and one I don't remember the name of. They do very well here in zone 9, and supposedly will overwinter in zones 7 and up, with a thick mulch for protection. O         therwise, there are some annual varieties. Here are pics of mine.

For zone 6 there are some varieties that are single season, I think Northern Star might be it. Can't say much more than that, but I know they exist. I think you have to plant them very early and do a little finger crossing that frosts stop early and come late.

Nice Pictures Gary Thanks!

How many do you get from each plant per season ? 

Thank you, Rich. Counting the smaller side chokes, I get 15-30 per plant. The clumps get larger each year, so next year, they'll really produce. After 3-4 years, I'll cut them to the ground and divide them. On a side note, I lived for many years on the Monterey Peninsula, which is in the area of large commercial artichoke farms in Castroville. Driving through on occasion to visit my folks, the crop dusters would be spraying the fields, right along the highway. Freaked me out, actually. I've always grown mine organically, with no spraying, and people always comment on how sweet they taste... never bitter. I'm convinced it's the pesticides used commercially that makes some bitter. Can't prove it though.

@Gary, it's amazing how pesticides are still number one choice for farmers...
We never use any chemicals in our backyard...the fruits and veggies and herbs are so true to their tastes, it's amazing. People tend to forget the true taste of good food as they get to use more and more supermarket stuff. it's sad.

I do love, love artichokes; my dear dad used to grow them when I was very young there..
They have a very unique taste/flavor!
Here, in USA I do buy some (mostly expensive $/ea.) once in awhile;
I make sure that they are young with fleshy 'flower-leaves'
with 'fat-flesh' that I can scrape-off with my own teeth.

Next comes the beloved tender heart ...
A good artichoke heart should not have any of those spiky/woolly white 'points'.

And for the sake of it, artichokes are, are a member of that thorny 'thistle' kind of plant family.

A few years ago, I did try to grow them here in NJ. I right away gave up on them,
my impression, too bulky and very winter-tender plants for me.

I have never tried to grown them....but I do eat them.

Many years ago, in the late 1960s,  I was shopping around and browsing along the then, very ritzy, Madison Avenue in new York City, somewhere around 77th Street.  There was a florist shop with a magnificent display of fresh-cut arranged, flowers.  I looked, and to my astonishment, one vase held gigantic, artichoke blossoms.  These beautiful thistles, orange and purple, made a wonderful display.  The price tag matched the neighborhood.

I never saw artichoke blossoms again, for sale.  I don't know why these flowers are not sold more often as cut flower stems.  I'm tempted to grow some plants just for the flowers.


Frank

You're right about that, Frank. I usually let the last few stay on the plant to open. It's quite a sight to see and hear the many bees deep down inside the purple flowers when they are allowed to bloom.
I agree with you also, Aaron. Chemicals in agriculture are like drugs. The more you use, the more you need. As JM put it.... "give me spots on my apples, but leave me the birds and the bees."

Well said.

Frank,

I agree about the flowers. I was buying figs from and old Italian gentleman. He ate the artichoke greens but not the artichokes. He let them blossom. Gorgeous flower and the scent was hypnotic. I can still smell it. He sold me fig trees but would not sell me his artichokes.

Thanks for tipping me off regarding the fragrance "thing".   Never had the pleasure of sniffing an artichoke blossom.  Now I gotta grow a few plants.... just for the flowers!

I wonder if I can grow some of these plants in 5 gallon buckets?


Frank

Hi,
Here, you have to protect them and be lucky with the winter.
As they need two seasons for producing, you could end up with nothing.
And their leaves are so huge, they take too much place for me to want to try them... although I'm now and then tempted to .
As for the flower, buy an artichoke for eating and put it in a cup of water instead of eating it... you'll  get the flower open.

The ones that are meant for northern climates will produce in the first season if they are exposed to weather about 7-10 days below 10 degrees celicus.

I grew these in zone 5 Saratoga Springs, NY summer 2010. As you can see, I let some go to flower. They were started from seed indoors in February and grown as an annual.

it sure is a beautiful site, maybe I'll keep them on to bloom like that. it's so attractive as is.