Grow globe artichoke

Could there be a more attractive edible to grow? Globe artichoke is a herbaceous perennial that could easily hold its own in a colourful herbaceous border, with its deeply toothed silvery-grey foliage and bold, ball-shaped flower buds. The buds are the bits you eat; if you let them open up, you’ve left it too late. But not all is wasted, as the mature, thistle-like blooms are a striking purple, and insects love them!

Globe artichokes can be grown in all areas except the tropics. They like plenty of sun and plenty of room, as they can grow up to 1.5m tall and wide when in full production. These plants must have good drainage. Enrich soil with plenty of compost and manure, and create mounds for planting if the soil is heavy. Growing them in either mounds or raised beds is particularly essential in subtropical areas, where heavy summer rainfall can knock them about (they prefer a drier summer).

How to plant globe artichoke

You can start them from seed, but it’s better to buy a few small plants from a nursery, or find yourself some offshoots from an established plant. If you have a friend who grows globe artichokes, ask them for one. They’re easy to remove and transplant. Find an offshoot that’s about 15–20cm long. Simply push a sharp spade between the offshoot and the main plant, dig it out then trim off some of the older leaves to prepare it for planting.

Mid winter is a great time to plant globe artichoke, but if you are in a frosty area, wait until spring, after the risk of frost has passed. Keep new plants moist, and liquid-feed once a fortnight for the first few months to help them get established. Mulch well.

For tips on starting a vegetable garden, take a look at our guide, here.

Header image credit: iStock

Want to learn more about artichoke?

Artichoke