First Harvest of Spring - Coolest thing I've ever grown!

[grrlgeek]

Okay, I lied a little, it's not the first harvest, but since we've been growing and eating lettuce pretty much non stop all winter, I'm not counting the leafy greens.

Ta - Da!

20140429_chokes.jpg (35.11 KiB) Viewed 547 times

I neglected to take a picture before eating the largest of the artichokes. It went directly from the plant into the steamer. Then I thought, hey, I am going to want to preserve this moment for all posterity.

In the bowl we have the artichokes as yet un-eaten. Big one is for snax tomorrow, the rest will go on a pizza I think. Also, 3 purple jalapenos - a little small but that poor little plant probably should have been allowed to grow more before I let it fruit. I cut everything off of it so it could rest a little and fill out a bit more. 1 Sureno (serrano) green chili, and a not-yet-bulbing test-pull of the garlic I planted last October. The butter will be served with the artichoke; however, the jug of Mayo didn't fit well in the shot. But you get the idea.

The artichokes are THE coolest thing I've ever grown. I started them from seed last summer. They spent the winter in #5 pots in the unheated greenhouse. In February, we put them in the ground. They were about a foot tall and wide then. They're three feet wide now, almost that tall, and there are more chokes coming from all over the place. Out of 5 plants, 3 were selected to plant out. I would have planted all five but some bug turned the leaves of two of them into lace, and I freaked out and bagged and trashed them. The variety is Emerald, bred in the southern California desert (El Centro) It gets a little colder here than where it was developed, but it didn't seem to mind several months of temps between 20F(Low) and 45F(High).

The stems on these are unbelievable. Tender... just an extension of the heart. The leaves were a little smallish and slim on meat, but the heart was huge. Maybe I've never had one this fresh and young... but man, it's the only way to go from here on out.

Growing food is so fun! I can see my next house hunting trip focused on how many good sunny spots are available in the yard. Dining room? It has a dining room? Oh, and a kitchen too? That's nice, but how about this section of the side yard.... If we trimmed that tree we could...... I am totally addicted.

I will update on The Garden, which is taking on a life of its own, as soon as I get the last of the after-frost seeds planted.

Happy Growing!

[webmaster]

Those look really nice, congratulations!

[lakngulf]

Growing food is so fun! I can see my next house hunting trip focused on how many good sunny spots are available in the yard. Dining room? It has a dining room? Oh, and a kitchen too? That's nice, but how about this section of the side yard.... If we trimmed that tree we could...... I am totally addicted. Happy Growing!

Priorities certainly change when you get the taste of "fresh", and the satisfaction of going from seed to plate.

[applestar]

Wow I never thought of overwintering them that way. I thought I couldn't grow them because of our severe winter. I wonder if I could do that in my garage.....

Thanks for the idea. Looks great!

[grrlgeek]

@webmaster - thank you!

@lakngulf - truer words were never spoken!


@applestar - I bet you could! I think you can dig them up in the fall too, because culture information I've been reading says to divide them when they're nearing the end of their productive years. In the winter I only watered maybe once a week, and just a splash or three. They just sat there, not growing, waiting. The spot they were in got only a few hours of direct sun as well. Here's the seed packet info:


Emerald produces a thornlesss, glossy, buttery flavored artichoke for home gardeners, that can also be used in landscaping. Heads are globe in shape, achieve large size and have wonderful eating quality of the inner artichoke hearts. Emerald is a good source of vitamins A, B, and C. Also a source of potassium, sodium, protein and iodine. Produces quality artichokes over a longer period. Can be used in a variety of recipes. 180-360 days to harvest.

Start seeds indoors in a sunny location 6 weeks prior to warm weather. Transplant outdoors when seedlings display 4-6 leaves and weather is warm.. Seed can be direct-sown when soil is warm.. Thin or transplant when plants have 4-6 leaves. Although heads can be harvested the first year, it is advised that the plants be cut back to allow for greater yields during the following years. Emerald should overwinter well and will produce artichokes to eat in the spring. PVP.

From the breeder's website, http://www.emeraldartichoke.com/emerald.html (which seems to be no longer up and running)

---by Eleanor Kurupas, wife of Tom Kurupas, owners of Kurupas Enterprises---

"Our artichoke experience began over 24 years ago in our orchard when we were given a few plants that were thorny and irregular in size and shape, but were acclimated to our desert temperatures. Every spring Tom gave strict orders not to cut any artichokes to eat. He was going to play "Mother Nature" and cross pollinate plants that had the desired traits we were looking for. A few years later, we extended our planting to 3 acres with seed from selected hand pollinated artichoke flowers. In the selection of our Emerald Artichoke, what we looked for were artichokes that were, thornless, glossy, flavorful and prolific; also we wanted artichokes that could withstand a certain amount of cold weather. Many people who enjoy the Emerald Artichoke encouraged us to seek a plant variety patent from the USDA office. In 1992 we received our patent. As a family, we are offering home growers and ornamental growers the opportunity to grow our artichoke. We are finding out that artichokes can be grown in many areas first thought impossible."

Let us know if you decide to add artichoke to your winter menagerie!

[applestar]

Thanks for the additional info!

[valley]

grrl, I bought some artichoke seeds to try at the Nevada ranch, I don't know if it can be done, the winters here are a bit colder than where you are, we'll see.

Richard

[TheWaterbug]

Any tips for growing large(r) artichokes? My plants get ~4-5 feet tall, but the chokes only get to about fist size (I have big hands) before they start to bloom.

The variety is Green Globe, and the Green Globe 'chokes I see in the supermarkets are the size of a cantaloupe.

I don't want to trade size for flavor, but I wouldn't mind some larger chokes!

[grrlgeek]

Waterbug,

I strolled right on past the chokes at the supermarket yesterday. They were bigger than mine, granted. But part of their size was owed to the flower already starting to open. No one was more surprised than me that I actually grew an artichoke so here's the sum total of everything I know about how to ensure they're getting as big as they can get (hopefully someone who knows more can add to this)...

The best production year is the 2nd year. Start planting suckers to make more plants and maintain the level of teenagers in the garden. Cull them after 4 or 5 years.

The first center bloom is the biggest. All others that come after will be smaller.

The flower head will "squeak" a little when squeezed. As soon as it squeaks, it's ready. As soon as it starts to open, you're losing flavour. Then it's a choice on quality or quantity. For the butter and mayo dipping experience, I'd say size might win because the leaves will have more meat on them... but I am quickly being won over to the delectable giant heart side of the fence.

Evidently, they are very sensitive to being stressed during the growth and bloom phases. Watch for pests, water evenly and deeply, and feed on a regular schedule. (I don't know what that schedule is, lol - I fed at transplant, and again 1 month later; should feed again now I suppose.)

I read ('on the internet') that if you let the flowers bloom, it will reduce the yield in subsequent years. I plan to let the littlest plant bloom at least once, because I want to see it. I am planting more starts this summer to add to the garden next spring.

I've had some humongous artichokes (lived near Castroville, CA for a few years) but I suspect they fertilize a lot, and they have been growing them a lot longer than me.

I'm fine with little-er ones.... I am the only one in the house who eats them, and 3 plants so far have made me really happy. Next year, I hope for 10!

[TheWaterbug]

The flower head will "squeak" a little when squeezed. As soon as it squeaks, it's ready.

I'd never read that before! That's awesome

[ElizabethB]

In south Louisiana it is not uncommon to see artichokes growing in flower beds. They do need at least a 3' square space to grow in. Beautiful plants and a wonderful harvest. Love artichokes.

Good job!!