Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) seeds

• Germination period: If cultivation as perennial is desired, it is recommended to start the seeds as pre-culture indoors, from the beginning of March. After 5-8 weeks and once the seedlings developed at least 3-5 leaves and went through a hardening period, they can be transferred outdoors. If annual cultivation is preferred, the pre-culture ought to be started already in January.
• Sowing depth: 1-2cm
• Germination temperature: +20-25°C
• Spacing: In domestic gardens, artichoke plants, which take up quite a bit of room, are often positioned by themselves.
• Planting distance: 100 x 100 cm
• Location: Artichokes prefer to be sheltered from the wind in sunny locations, however, permanent sunshine should be avoided
• Soil requirements: Artichokes thrive in sandy, nutrient-rich soils, preferring a warm and humid habitat, for their deep growing root system.
• Care instructions: Before transferring the young plants outdoors, it is recommended to loosen the ground and to work in nutrient-rich humus, deep enough to cater for the deep root system. In the beginning, it is recommended to weed regularly, until the artichoke plants are well established. In order to develop plenty of flower buds, regular and generous watering is required. When cultivated as annual plants, it is important to choose new locations for the young plants each year (leave existing spots to rest for about 4 years) as they are not compatible with themselves.
• Harvest: Annual artichokes start to ripen from the beginning of June. Perennial artichokes mature a little later, from the beginning of July. The harvesting period tends to last 6-8weeks. It is advisable to cut the firm, closed ‘buds’ from the main shoots first and then the crops from the lateral shoots. It is possible to keep artichokes for up to two weeks in the fridge.
• Hibernation: Artichokes are perennial and can be harvested for 4-5 years. Healthy, older plants can tolerate degrees below zero down to -10°C without any problems. If strong frost is to be expected, they definitely need winter protection. Therefore, you cut the shrub back near-ground in October and cover it with a mixture of foliage, brushwood, or straw, sand, and loose garden soil. Earthen up this mixture approx. 30cm high. After the Ice Saints, at the latest, this "winter coat" can be removed again.
  Of course, a frost-free hibernation indoors is possible at approx. +10°C. The artichoke, therefore, has to be lifted in autumn. Shorten the sprouts and heel the roots in moist sand. Caution: It's a deep-rooting plant. The plant forms a taproot that can grow up to 3 metres down into the earth. Of course, you can't lift them completely but you should try to salvage a long piece and cap them then. The artichoke can remove into the bed in spring when there are no more night frosts to be expected.

Botanical name: Cynara scolymus, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus

German: Artischan, Artischoca, Artischock, Artschock, Artischoss, Erdschocke, Golddistel, Jockeles, Strobildorn, Welschdistel

English: Globe artichoke

Italian: Carciofo romanesco