Artichokes are delicious but the problem is, they just
don't seem to be as accessible as the majority of vegetables in the
supermarkets such as carrots and broccoli. In fact, I bet if you ask a
lot of people, they won't even know what an artichoke is. That's why I
recommend growing them at how. Growing artichokes is easy and straight
forward too.
Preparing the Growing Area
For artichokes, whether you're growing Globe Artichokes or Jerusalem Artichokes, you will need a medium, well drained soil that is high in nutrients. Light shade is fine, but ideally you will find a way to grow them in full sunlight. Jerusalem Artichokes grow to HUGE heights, we're talking up to 10 foot so give them some room in your vegetable garden.
Globe Artichokes are different, they will require full sunlight no matter what. In Autumn, you want to dig in lots of well rotted manure into the area where you are planning to plant your Globe Artichokes. Remember that Globe Artichokes will stay in the same position for around five years, so preparing the ground is something you will want to spend a lot of time on.
Planting your Artichokes
For Jerusalem Artichokes: As I'm a little particular about my vegetable growing, I set out a string line and use a draw hoe to create perfectly straight furrows that are 15cm deep. I then place tubers into the bottom of the furrows at around 35cm apart, then cover over, you need to cover it with more than you think, then sprinkle over a general fertiliser and just mix this into the soil with the end of a fork.
If you're growing more than one row, then leave around 1m between the two rows.
For Globe Artichokes: Plant then around a month later to your Jerusalem Artichokes. Sprinkle your fertiliser over the grounds surface and then fork it all up so it is well spread throughout the soil. Plant the suckers at the same depth they were at in the pots you bought them in. You need to give each around 75cm of space around them in every direction. Make sure you water them in well!
Growing your Artichokes
You need to keep watering your globe artichokes in their first year and always cut away flower buds that appear. By removing the buds, they will use their energy to grow the crowns fully. Next year your patience will be rewarded with a stronger, more prolific crop of buds.
Jerusalem artichokes may also require some additional watering in dry weather, though well-prepared ground will help hold in plenty of moisture. If the soil becomes weedy, pull unwanted plants by hand to ensure all water goes to the vegetables themselves. The eruption of leaves from globe artichokes is likely to suffocate any weeds that attempt to muscle their way in.
During October, you will find your artichokes will begin to die down, begin to cut away dead leaves on both Jerusalem and Globe artichokes then towards the end of October, cut your Jerusalem artichokes right down so they are only 30cm in height.
Harvesting your Artichokes
You can dig up Jerusalem Artichokes up as and when you want them, but towards the end of the season, make sure you dig up every last one as any remaining tubers will sprout and product plants the following year.
By the second summer you will be able to begin harvesting globe artichokes. Allow a maximum of six flower stems to develop per crown to guarantee good-sized buds. Cut out any others that begin to form. Large flower buds, known as king heads, will appear first of all at the end of each stem to be followed by several smaller lateral heads. Harvest the flower buds once they have reached a good size but before they open. Remove each head with secateurs, leaving a few inches of stem attached for the best possible flavour.
Done and dusted! Now get on with it, there's no point in reading all the information then not putting it into practice so go and put it into practice and get growing artichokes.
Preparing the Growing Area
For artichokes, whether you're growing Globe Artichokes or Jerusalem Artichokes, you will need a medium, well drained soil that is high in nutrients. Light shade is fine, but ideally you will find a way to grow them in full sunlight. Jerusalem Artichokes grow to HUGE heights, we're talking up to 10 foot so give them some room in your vegetable garden.
Globe Artichokes are different, they will require full sunlight no matter what. In Autumn, you want to dig in lots of well rotted manure into the area where you are planning to plant your Globe Artichokes. Remember that Globe Artichokes will stay in the same position for around five years, so preparing the ground is something you will want to spend a lot of time on.
Planting your Artichokes
For Jerusalem Artichokes: As I'm a little particular about my vegetable growing, I set out a string line and use a draw hoe to create perfectly straight furrows that are 15cm deep. I then place tubers into the bottom of the furrows at around 35cm apart, then cover over, you need to cover it with more than you think, then sprinkle over a general fertiliser and just mix this into the soil with the end of a fork.
If you're growing more than one row, then leave around 1m between the two rows.
For Globe Artichokes: Plant then around a month later to your Jerusalem Artichokes. Sprinkle your fertiliser over the grounds surface and then fork it all up so it is well spread throughout the soil. Plant the suckers at the same depth they were at in the pots you bought them in. You need to give each around 75cm of space around them in every direction. Make sure you water them in well!
Growing your Artichokes
You need to keep watering your globe artichokes in their first year and always cut away flower buds that appear. By removing the buds, they will use their energy to grow the crowns fully. Next year your patience will be rewarded with a stronger, more prolific crop of buds.
Jerusalem artichokes may also require some additional watering in dry weather, though well-prepared ground will help hold in plenty of moisture. If the soil becomes weedy, pull unwanted plants by hand to ensure all water goes to the vegetables themselves. The eruption of leaves from globe artichokes is likely to suffocate any weeds that attempt to muscle their way in.
During October, you will find your artichokes will begin to die down, begin to cut away dead leaves on both Jerusalem and Globe artichokes then towards the end of October, cut your Jerusalem artichokes right down so they are only 30cm in height.
Harvesting your Artichokes
You can dig up Jerusalem Artichokes up as and when you want them, but towards the end of the season, make sure you dig up every last one as any remaining tubers will sprout and product plants the following year.
By the second summer you will be able to begin harvesting globe artichokes. Allow a maximum of six flower stems to develop per crown to guarantee good-sized buds. Cut out any others that begin to form. Large flower buds, known as king heads, will appear first of all at the end of each stem to be followed by several smaller lateral heads. Harvest the flower buds once they have reached a good size but before they open. Remove each head with secateurs, leaving a few inches of stem attached for the best possible flavour.
Done and dusted! Now get on with it, there's no point in reading all the information then not putting it into practice so go and put it into practice and get growing artichokes.
If you do find yourself still struggling to Grow your Own, or if you want more free information then visit Grow This N That for your collection of completely free Grow your Own guides. Click Here to grab yours now!
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