Artichokes are a rewarding perennial vegetable that thrives with proper winter care. While these plants are hardy in warmer climates, they need extra attention in areas prone to frost. Follow this guide to protect your artichokes and ensure a bountiful harvest next season.
Artichokes are cool-weather vegetables that produce delicious edible flower buds. While artichokes thrive in mild coastal climates like California, gardeners in colder regions can also enjoy growing these unique plants. However, artichokes are not fully cold hardy and require special care to survive frigid winters in northern zones. Proper steps must be taken in fall to successfully winterize artichoke plants for an abundant spring harvest.
Why Winterizing is Critical for Artichokes
Native to the Mediterranean region, artichokes relish cool temperatures but cannot withstand hard freezes. Their roots and crowns can suffer severe damage when ground temperatures drop below 25°F. And since artichokes don’t produce harvestable flower heads until their second season, protecting the plants over winter is essential for productivity.
Without proper winterizing, artichoke plants may experience:
- Root injury from frozen soil
- Dessication and death of the root crown
- Ground heaving that tears roots
- Outright death of the entire plant
Winterizing insulation safeguards the roots and crown through the dormant season This allows artichokes to resume vigorous growth once warmer weather returns in spring
When to Winterize for Your Climate
Timing is key when winterizing artichoke plants. In general, the process should be completed 4-6 weeks prior to the average first hard freeze in your specific area.
For example, if your region typically sees temperatures drop below 25°F by early November, aim to finish winterizing artichokes in late September or October. This gives the plants time to harden off before harsh conditions strike.
Err on the side of winterizing early rather than waiting too long. An unexpected early cold snap can damage unprotected plants. But plants properly winterized weeks ahead of time will sail through winter unscathed.
Winterizing Methods for Container Grown Artichokes
For artichokes planted in containers, protecting the plants through winter is fairly simple:
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In late fall after a hard frost, trim back the foliage to 2-3 inches above soil level. Remove all leaves.
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Move the potted artichoke to an unheated protected location such as a garage, enclosed porch, or basement.
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Maintain temperatures between 35-50°F — cool but not freezing.
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Check soil moisture monthly and water lightly as needed to prevent desiccation.
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Watch for any mushy roots or crowns and prune out diseased tissue.
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In spring after all danger of frost has passed, set containers back outside and resume normal care.
The key is regulating cold temperatures just above freezing and providing physical protection from winter precipitation and wind.
Winterizing Options for In-Ground Artichokes
Protecting artichokes planted directly in garden beds takes more effort than container-grown plants. Several winterizing methods effectively shield in-ground artichokes:
Heavy Mulching
Mound 6-12 inches of loose straw, leaves, evergreen boughs or other organic mulch over the base of plants. Leave some upper foliage protruding above mulch. Construct wire cages around plants to contain the mulch mounds.
Below-Ground Protection
In very cold climates, sink large pots or boxes around plants in fall and cover with mulch. This allows the crowns to stay buried below frost level in soil.
Hilling Up Soil
Mound soil 8-12 inches high around the lower halves of plants, leaving some upper leaves exposed. Mix in mulch for added insulation. Drape hilled plants with row cover fabric for extreme cold.
Root Cellaring
In the harshest winters, dig up crowns after a hard frost and store in moist peat or vermiculite in a cold cellar or refrigerator through winter. Replant the following spring after the last expected frost.
Caring for Artichokes After Winterizing
Proper care after winter is also vital for artichokes:
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Gradually remove mulch and coverings as spring temperatures rise to allow plants to acclimate and resume growth.
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Watch for new sprouts from the crown as an indication plants survived winter.
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Prune out any dead or freeze-damaged foliage early in spring to stimulate new growth.
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Check for decayed roots and prune away diseased sections to prevent spreading infection.
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Fertilize plants to help them rebound after winter dormancy.
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Provide consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering as roots and crowns regain function.
With attentive winterizing and post-winter care, artichokes will thrive for years even in cold climates. Just be sure to give them the protective insulation they need to make it through harsh freezes. Then enjoy an abundant harvest of nutty artichoke buds next season.
Key Tips for Successfully Winterizing Artichoke Plants
Follow these core tips when planning artichoke winterization:
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Select cold-hardy varietals suited for overwintering such as Green Globe or Violetto.
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Time winterizing 4-6 weeks prior to your average first hard autumn freeze.
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Use heavy mulching, hilling soil, or below-ground protection for in-ground plants.
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For container artichokes, move to an unheated covered location like a garage.
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Avoid moisture extremes; don’t over or under water winterized plants.
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Check for rodent damage; protect crowns with wire cages if needed.
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In spring, gradually remove insulation as temperatures warm.
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Be patient for new growth; plants take time to resume active growth.
With proper winterizing techniques, your artichoke plants can survive cold climates and bear delectable flower heads year after year. Just give them the insulation, temperature regulation and vigilant overwintering conditions they need.
Overwintering Artichokes in Cold Climates
- Container Growing: Transfer artichokes into pots and move them to a greenhouse or sheltered area.
- Bury the Crown: In extremely cold areas, dig up the crown and store it in a cool, dry place until spring.
Fertilizing for Spring Growth
Apply a layer of compost or use a balanced fertilizer, such as one from our organic fertilizer collection, to enrich the soil. This prepares the plant for vigorous growth when the weather warms.
3 Easy Steps to Protect Your Artichoke Plants Against Winter Weather
FAQ
Should you cut back artichokes for winter?
Prune in Late Fall: Trim the plant down to about 12 inches above the ground to encourage healthy regrowth in the spring.Jan 19, 2025
How do you prepare artichokes for winter?
To overwinter any artichoke, you should cut them down to about a foot above ground in fall. Mulch well with a pile of leaves or straw — a good foot of mulch is not overdoing it! Many people then cover this pile with plastic.
How cold is too cold for artichokes?
Artichokes thrive in temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and require at least 200 chill hours to produce buds.
Can You overwinter artichokes?
Artichokes are native to the Mediterranean, which makes one think they wouldn’t tolerate the chill of winter very well. Surprisingly, given proper care, overwintering artichoke plants is very possible. The edible part of the plant is actually the flower head. When allowed to bloom, this is a neon purple that is quite stunning in its own right.
Should artichokes be winterized?
Artichokes are cool weather-loving plants that can be grown as perennials in warmer climates. However in areas with cold winters artichokes must be protected to survive from one growing season to the next. Properly winterizing artichoke plants is key to ensuring they return vigorously the following spring. Why Winterize Artichokes?
How do you care for artichokes in winter?
In very cold regions, build structures to sink pots below ground level. Bury entire plants except some foliage. Insulate with mulch. In zones 5 and below, dig up roots after a hard frost and store in cool, moist peat or vermiculite in a cold cellar or fridge. Replant in spring. After making it through winter, artichokes need proper care in spring:
Can artichoke plants survive winter?
With proper winter care, your artichoke plants can survive cold winters and produce abundantly year after year. Just provide insulation, temperature regulation, and vigilant overwintering conditions. Artichoke plants are susceptible to freezing. and they don’t typically form their edible flower buds until their second year of growth.
How do you care for artichokes in April?
In April, remove the mulch and apply a balanced fertilizer to the artichoke plants. Keep an eye on the weather in case there is a cold snap that could hurt the artichokes during the last frosts of Spring. An alternative to covering the plants during the winter is to dig up the root crowns before freezing temperatures.
How do you overwinter a containerized artichoke plant?
To overwinter containerized artichoke plants, cut the plants down to the crown when the danger of frost threatens. Then, move the plants indoors and water them every four to six weeks until spring’s arrival. They’ll shift into dormancy and can be moved back outdoors when the danger of frost has passed the following spring. 3.