Artichokes

Jerusalem and Chinese artichokes are grown for their tuberous knobbly roots, globe for its flower buds. Here, we focus on the globe artichoke, which is easy to grow. It forms a large silver-grey, thistle-like plant up to about 1.2m/4ft high and wide, so it requires plenty of space. In winter, the decorative leaves die back to re-emerge in spring.

Varieties

‘Green Globe Improved’: Makes a large plant up to 1.8m/6ft in height. Produces many good quality buds for harvesting.

‘Violetta Di Chioggia’: A stunning plant that is ideal for the flower border or large tub. Silvery grey foliage is topped by dark purple flower buds instead of the usual green.

Growing tips

Sowing and planting

Artichokes like a light soil in a sunny spot. If your soil is clay, consider growing a plant in a large pot.

Globe artichokes can be grown from seed sown directly into the ground in April. However, they won’t produce flowers until the following year at the earliest and will be vulnerable in their first winter. Ideally, buy young plants that will have been propagated from root offsets. If you know someone with a large clump, ask if you can have a root or two, which can be taken from the side of the plant, preferably with a shoot attached. Plant about 90cm/3ft apart and keep well watered.

Apply a generous helping of garden compost, bark or farmyard manure around the plants in May to help conserve soil moisture and keep weed growth down.

Growing on

In the first year, cut off any flower buds that form to allow the plant to conserve its energy for bulking up the crown. In the second year, you can begin harvesting.

The first bud to be produced is often a main ‘king’ bud and should be removed. Subsequent smaller buds will form, which when they have reached the size of a tennis ball are ideal for eating.

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