Artichoke Green Globe is generally grown as a perennial in mild areas and as an annual where ground freezes although a good winter mulch may help overwinter in hard frost areas. These stately architectural plants need plenty of room and make wonderful specimen plants in your borders as well as your veg plot.
SOW: chill seeds before sowing in moist seed compost in an unheated greenhouse/coldframe in late winter/early spring or outside in early to mid-spring.
GROW: harden off and plant out in late spring/early summer time about 60cm apart. Dig in well-rotted organic matter before planting and apply a general fertiliser. Water well after planting and in dry weather. Remove flowers in the first year so that the plants can establish.
LONG TERM CARE: harvest in the summer when the scales are tightly closed, cut the terminal bud first (with about 5cm of stem) and then the others when large enough. Once the scales begin to open they become inedible! In mild areas retain stems and leaves for frost protection, otherwise remove and earth up in winter & cover with ferns or straw for added protection (uncover in spring). Mulch in spring - you can apply a high potash fertiliser when plants are actively growing.
ENJOY: tight compact good sized heads - harvest these before the bracts open. Cut the top one first, then the secondary ones as they mature. Pollinating insects will be very happy if you leave one flower bud to open fully while harvesting the rest.
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