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Marge
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Globe Artichokes

Hi all, this is my first post ... *ahem* I was wondering about growing tips for globe artichokes.

I grew some globe artichokes from seed last year and planted them out in the summer once they had grown into strong plants. Now they are established and I am hoping to be able to harvest my first artichoke heads to eat! :D The thing is I heard from somewhere that it is a good idea to allow the first head to flower and just cut the others as they come.

Is this a good idea or will the plant to go seed?
opabinia51
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I've done a lot of reading on growing artichokes (as I am starting it myself this year) and I have not heard of letting one head go to seed before. It is best to harvest the flowers when they are young and that way they are nice and tender.
Perhaps Scott knows about this technique though.


Incidentally, Artichokes are incredibly nutritious vegetables with:

Vitamin C (mg) 19
Folate (mcg) 110
Copper (mg) 0.4
Magnesium (mg) 97
Manganese (mg) 0.4
Phosphorus (mg) 146
Potassium (mg) 599


Artichokes are also a rich source of dietary fiber.
NZG
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I too have never heard of letting the first flower head go to seed.

Artichokes are something I've never grown, or seen for that fact. I have brought some seeds to strike in the coming summer so for me too, it'll all be trial and error.

I have heard that the best time to pick the artichoke is when the 'scales'(?) are still tight and compact, and haven't started to open.
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Marge
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thanks! :D I thought it was odd advice too ... there is someone who lives close to me who just grows artichokes for the flowers! :shock: After the last few years of going spare seeing those lovely artichokes go to 'waste' I knew I had to start growing my own!
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Marge
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Oh wow! I have eaten my very first home grown globe artichoke! :D 8) It has been two summers to wait for it and it was worth it. The artichoke was quite small but the flavour was superb! All it needed (instead of vinaigrette or mayonnaise), was a little salt! (I steamed it and put lemon juice and salt in the water).

... they best thing is there is another globe artichoke head forming too! :D
The Helpful Gardener
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Always tastes better when you grow them yourself...

Congrats on the garden victory! :D

Scott
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Marge
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Hmmm... had a problem with artichokes grown later in the season - essentially they were rather dry and the leaves were pointy and sharp. Where did I go wrong?
opabinia51
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That's just because you harvested them later in the season. Artichokes are best when they are nice and young. Remember that artichokes are actually a type of thistle. So, as time goes by, they become more and more like a thistle.
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True, Opa, most true...
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Marge
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d'oh what a simple answer ... I shall remember for next year :roll:
opabinia51
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D'OH! Is right, but artichokes are still so good! I'm so happy to hear that you are growing your own.

My little venture into artichokes this year fell by the wayside after I had to leave for a few weeks and my seedlings were not watered by the person with whom I left the task to. Oh well, there's always next year. :)

Plus artichokes are immensely good for you!

Artichoke/1 large

Calories 76
Total fat (g) 0.2
Saturated fat (g) 0.1
Monounsaturated fat (g) 0
Polyunsaturated fat (g) 0.1
Dietary fiber (g) 8.8
Protein (g) 5
Carbohydrate (g) 17
Cholesterol (mg) 0
Sodium (mg) 152
Vitamin C (mg) 19
Folate (mcg) 110
Copper (mg) 0.4
Magnesium (mg) 97
Manganese (mg) 0.4
Phosphorus (mg) 146
Potassium (mg) 599
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Marge
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good heavens all those goodies in a humble artichoke :roll:

Incidentally do I need to cut back the old foliage or should I leave it over winter?
opabinia51
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Yes, in the fall the dead leaves should be cut back to the crown and used as a mulch. The crown should then be covered with straw or some other type of mulch for the winter.

Incidentally, Artichoke plants are a great mulch producer, the leaves are full of nutrients that help to build a nice healthy soil. Artichoke plants are planted as part of the Apple guild. (Apple leaves are quite high in nutrients as well)
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Marge
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great now I know what to do, ta very much :D
opabinia51
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Welcome :)
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Nice job Op...
opabinia51
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Thanks Scott


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