Let’s talk about how to grow artichokes! With their delicious edible heads, beautiful silvery foliage, and stunning unique flower blooms, artichoke plants are definitely worthy of a spot in the garden! Artichokes can be grown as an annual, or as perennials in many zones.
This guide will explore everything you need to know to grow artichokes, including ideal growing conditions, popular artichoke varieties, how to start from seed, when and how to harvest artichokes, organic pest control, how to prune and divide artichoke plants, how to prepare and eat them, and more!
We grow artichokes to eat as well as an attractive ornamental in our landscape: tucked in raised beds, wine barrels, and in perennial beds with other pollinator plants. Artichokes will always hold a special place in my heart. Growing up, they were one of my favorite special meals that my Dad made for me. I always think of him when we harvest our own now. I wish he could try one… because homegrown chokes are the best!
Growing your own food has so many benefits – you know exactly how the produce was grown, you get the freshest taste possible, and you save money versus buying at the grocery store. One highly rewarding crop to try growing is artichokes These unique vegetables may seem intimidating, but they are actually quite easy to cultivate in your own backyard In this article, we’ll explore the numerous benefits of adding artichokes to your edible garden.
High Yield from Minimal Space
One of the best aspects of growing artichokes is that they provide a very high yield compared to the space they take up. A single artichoke plant can produce up to 20 or more artichokes per season. With just a few plants a gardener can harvest enough artichokes to enjoy fresh as well as preserve some for the off-season.
Since artichokes grow in a compact form, reaching about 3-4 feet tall and wide at maturity, they don’t take up a huge amount of garden real estate. You can tuck artichoke plants into smaller spaces between other crops. Their ornamental foliage and flowers make artichokes an attractive landscape accent as well.
Low Maintenance
Busy gardeners rejoice – artichokes are one of the most low-maintenance edibles you can grow. They have relatively few pest or disease problems. Minimal care is needed once first established.
Artichoke plants are perennial in warmer climates like USDA Zones 7-10 This means you can harvest artichokes from the same plants year after year Just cut back the old growth each winter,
In cooler zones where artichokes are grown as annuals, you simply replant new artichoke transplants each spring. Either way, artichokes are a set-it-and-forget-it type of crop after the initial planting and establishment period.
Thrives in Various Conditions
Another benefit of growing artichokes is their adaptability. Artichokes tolerate a fairly wide range of soil, sunlight, and temperature conditions.
Artichokes grow well in most soil types, as long as the ground is well draining. Though they prefer sandy loam, artichokes will produce even in clay soil after some amendment with compost.
While artichokes thrive best in full sun, they can tolerate partial shade conditions. Just make sure plants get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
This vegetable is also unfazed by temperature fluctuations. Artichokes handle cooler climates well, surviving frosts down to around 20°F once established. They also have good heat tolerance for warmer regions.
Healthy Food Source
In addition to being easy to grow, artichokes provide substantial health benefits. They are packed with important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.
Some key nutrients found in artichokes:
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Vitamin C – More than 20% of your daily needs in just one artichoke! Strengthens immune system.
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Vitamin K – Essential for blood clotting and bone health.
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Fiber – A single large artichoke has 10+ grams of fiber to improve digestion.
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Antioxidants – Contains polyphenols and quercetin to combat cellular damage by free radicals.
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Magnesium – Helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
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Folate – Crucial for DNA synthesis and red blood cell production.
When you grow your own artichokes, you can be assured you are getting the highest nutritional punch possible. Homegrown produce starts losing nutrients immediately after harvesting.
Natural Insect Repellent
Artichokes provide another useful benefit apart from food – their leaves can be made into a natural insect repellent spray. Artichokes contain cynarin, a bitter compound that bugs find repulsive.
To make artichoke leaf insect repellent:
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Gather 10-15 fresh, undamaged artichoke leaves.
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Blanch the leaves by boiling for 2 minutes, then submerging in ice water.
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Use a mortar and pestle to slightly bruise/break down the leaves.
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Add leaves and 2 cups of water to a pot. Simmer for 30 minutes, then strain out the leaves.
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Pour the liquid into a spray bottle when cool. Apply to skin or fabrics.
This easy homemade bug repellent keeps mosquitos, ticks, and other pests at bay!
Versatile Ingredient for Cooking
Finally, artichokes fresh from your garden make a delicious addition to so many recipes. Their nutty flavor pairs well with all different seasonings and ingredients. From pastas to pizzas, appetizers to entrées, artichokes enhance any dish they’re added to.
Some creative ways to use your homegrown artichokes:
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Grill or roast seasoned artichoke halves as a side dish
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Stuff artichoke leaves with savory breadcrumbs, cheeses, or herbs
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Add marinated artichoke hearts to salads, pasta, or pizza
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Purée cooked artichokes into a flavorful dip or spread
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Bread and fry artichoke leaves into crunchy, addicting artichoke chips
As you can see, adding artichokes to your edible garden provides so many rewards. From the minimal effort required to grow them, health benefits, and delicious flavor – this is one vegetable every gardener should try cultivating. Let us know in the comments if you’ve grown artichokes before and your best tips!
Organic Pest Control for Artichokes
Unfortunately, many pest insects seem to love artichokes just as much as we do! Therefore, growing artichokes may require a little TLC at times. But it’s not difficult to do – and well worth the effort! Thankfully, we’ve found that the more full and established the plants become, the less pest pressure there is per artichoke. Cutting back the plants each year also helps remove lingering pests or disease.
The most common artichoke pests include aphids, pincher bugs or earwigs, and ants (who are attracted to the aphids). Gophers are also highly attracted to artichoke plants, so plan to use gopher baskets if needed. Finally, artichokes are susceptible to fungal diseases like powdery mildew, crown rot, botrytis rot or gray mold.
Artichoke Growing Requirements: Sun, Soil, Water, Fertilizer
- Sun: Artichokes thrive in full sun to partial shade, with at least 4 to 5 hours of direct sun per day.
- Temperature: Artichokes do not like excessive heat, which can cause tough bitter chokes or premature flowering. Artichokes’ ideal growing temperature is between 60 and 80 degrees F. Gardeners in hot climates should plant artichokes in a location that receives afternoon shade, or offer protection via shade cloth if needed.
- Soil: Artichokes grow best in fertile, well-draining soil. Amend soil with well-aged compost before planting, and add potting soil or horticultural sand to clay soil to increase drainage.
- Water: Don’t be shy with water! Artichokes grow best with regular deep water, where the soil is maintained consistently moist. Without enough water, the plants will droop (especially in hot conditions) and the edible leaves will grow thin, tough, and papery… not nearly as tasty to eat! Large, established plants require more water than immature plants. Mulch around the base of plants to reduce evaporation, and insulate the roots from temperature swings.
- Fertilizer: Artichoke plants are fairly heavy feeders. Add aged compost and organic matter to the soil, along with routine feedings via gentle organic fertilizer. We top-dress around the plants with a balanced slow-release organic fertilizer in spring and fall, plus water with compost tea a few times per year.
How to Grow Artichokes in ANY Climate
FAQ
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