How To Grow Plants From Artichoke Seeds
Artichoke seeds can develop and spread to a six feet wide silvery, green fountain plant that adds an attractive boldness to any garden. Surprisingly, it can grow in a wider climate range than most other plants. Artichokes are considered a rich gold mine of hearty, earthy flavor with a texture and taste like no other vegetables.
Grow According To Climate
You can grow these fabulous vegetables from artichoke seeds almost anywhere in the United States. However, a few areas such as Florida, Nevada, California and Arizona may provide too intense of a summer heat. Although these plants enjoy growing everywhere, they prefer a moist and cool summer along with a mild winter.
If you happen to reside in a colder climate, it is recommended to plant new artichoke seeds every year. If your winter is mild you should mulch well to help them to survive as perennials. Keep in mind that the roots of the plant are what actually require the protection. Some gardeners with prime growing conditions are even lucky enough to harvest through the whole year.
Where To Start
Artichoke seeds are easily started under fluorescent lights or in a green house. It is easiest to begin in February in four inch containers. This gives you a bit of a head start to produce plenty of produce by the second year.
Seedlings require a good amount of nutrients so as they grow you should use a fish emulsion to fertilize or something equivalent. You can transplant these seedlings approximately 10 weeks later if there is not any danger of another hard frost and if the soil has warmed substantially. The transplants should be around 8 to 10 inches in height with 2 sets of leaves and stocky stems. It is important to note that these plants will grow wide so they require a minimum of four feet apart so they do not become overcrowded.
Artichoke plants are hungry so they appreciate if you add organic fertilizer or compost right before you plant. Additionally, you can add a half cup of bone or blood meal per plant. You should know that the plants may not turn out as described on the packet of artichoke seeds so you may want to plant a bit extra to compensate for this.
A slightly acidic soil is the preferred choice with full sun. However, if you reside in a hot climate you may want to choose a location that offers afternoon shade. The planting bed should be kept moist and new shoots will erect each year. If you want really flavorful buds you will want to remove most of the buds and just leave a couple of the strongest shoots.
Helpful Tips
- Patience – Artichoke seeds do not develop into prime plants sometimes for two years. These are long term goal type of plants. Remember that some plants may not grow so if you plan on eating a lot be sure to plant extra.
- Space – If you are growing your plants from seeds and you are not using plastic containers but rather sowing them directly into the ground you should sow them about one inch deep. Artichoke seeds should be placed around five inches apart with the rows being at least five feet apart or more. You should choose an area with low traffic since you may be lucky enough that they will be there for a long time.
- Slugs – Watch your seedlings closely as slugs really enjoy terrorizing them. A little trick you can do if you do have issue is to put a copper strip in the bed around the plants. Slugs will generally not cross copper.
- Growth Time – Approximately three months is the average growth time but you will generally not see a flower or bulb for the first year or so. The flowers are stunning and they are even edible.
- Collecting Seeds- You may be aware that you need to scrape fuzzy stuff off of the heart prior to eating and cooking it. That fuzz that you are disposing of is actually a tremendous amount of seeds. If you don't pick the artichoke when it is ready, this fuzzy stuff will grow and become a remarkable purple display. These petals will then fall off, leaving behind a massive amount of seeds. If you do not catch them right away, they will dry out and blow away so if you think you may miss this transition you can cover the plant with a large knee high nylon to catch the artichoke seeds for you to save and plant later.