GROWING ARTICHOKES FROM SEED

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Artichokes are at risk of becoming one of the gardeners worst kept secrets. Still considered to be a truly gourmet food, artichokes once commanded such high prices that only kings and the aristocracy could afford to eat them. Today, things are a little different with hundreds of varieties available to the passionate, amateur gardener. In fact after years of careful selection, many of them are suitable for growing as an annual or perennial crop - even in the cooler northern European climates. Further more, if you are prepared to do a little research a few of the old historic varieties such as 'Violetta di Chioggia', and 'Gros Vert de Laon' are still available to buy from seed.

The unavoidable fact and so called ‘worst kept secret’ is that artichokes plants are just so easy to grow from seed. While they will not all grow genetically ‘true’ to the parent plants, because they are so easy to germinate it is just a matter of growing a few extra plants so that any rogue specimens that turn up can be removed later on without the worry of losing some of your valuable future crop.

Starting anytime from around late February, artichoke seed can be sown from seed in a greenhouse, conservatory or even in a well lit, warm room by the windowsill. When ready, plant a couple of artichoke seeds into 9cm pots using a good quality soil-based composts such as John Innes ‘Seed’. You may wish to add in a little horticultural grit or perlite into your compost in order to help with the drainage – just make sure that you thoroughly mix it all together first. Give the seeds a further, light covering of compost, then water in well - placing them in a greenhouse or warm room once the excess water has drained off. Water as necessary from that point on, but at no time should the compost be left sodden or be allowed to completely dry out.

The artichoke seeds should germinate between 2-3 weeks but they will need to remain in their protected environment right up until the threat of late frosts are over. Wait a couple of weeks after germination before removing the weaker artichoke seedlings from each pot. They can now be placed outside, but they will still need 2-3 weeks to harden off before planting out into their final position, so try to keep them under some sort of cover such as a cold frame or plastic tunnel. Starting them off early in a protected environment like this is a vital step in producing artichokes during the first year, whether they are grown as an annual or as a perennial.

WARNING! If you choose to direct sow artichoke seeds early outside then the subsequent seedlings can suffer damage from poor spring weather and if you decide to sow artichoke seed late in order to try and avoid this then the growing season may not be long enough to enable your artichoke plants to produce a viable crop.

Artichoke seedlings need lots of nutrients as they develop, so feed them once a week with a good quality liquid plant fertiliser. They will be ready for planting outside once the soil has warmed up and - as said before - once the danger of frost is over. Typically the transplants should be around 8 to 10 inches tall, with stocky stems and two sets of true leaves. Because they grow quite large, they should be planted at least 4 feet apart into a rich, deep, free-draining soil.

For best results place them in a sheltered position where they can receive full sun for most of the day.

For more information click onto:
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Growing Carrots from Seed
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Growing Cucumbers form Seed
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History of the Globe Artichoke
How do you Harden off Seedlings?
How to Germinate and Grow Cucumbers from Seed
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How to Grow Carrots from Seed
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How to Grow Okra from Seed Outdoors
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How to Plant and Grow Artichokes
How to Grow Sweet Corn from Seed
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Pots or Containers
How to Propagate and Grow Chili Peppers from Seed
How to Plant and Grow Artichokes
My Recipe for Globe Artichoke with Dijon Mustard
How to Sow and Grow Courgettes from Seed Indoors
How to Sow and Grow Courgettes from Seed Outdoors
How to Sow and Grow Spring Onions from Seed
What is an Artichoke?
What is Crop Rotation?
What is a Seed?
Which part of an Artichoke can you eat?

Photograph care of Sharon Lovejoy