Prefer artichoke seeds
Artichokes don't always bloom in the first year. But if you've got a variety that promises that, you should get it from February prefer on the windowsill. The small plants should only be put in the open when no more frost is guaranteed. The same applies to plants bought from specialist shops. The ice saints at the end of May are often used as a guide date: after this date you can plant your artichokes without any problems.
also read
- Which location does the artichoke prefer?
- This is how you can grow an artichoke in your own garden
- Harvest artichokes
Plant out the artichoke
Artichokes like warm, sunny and sheltered from the wind Locations. Direct sun is no problem for them and is much better tolerated than shade. It also needs nutrient-rich, loose soil in order to be able to grow vigorously and healthily. Therefore, before planting out, three to five liters of compost should be mixed into the soil per square meter. It is also important that the artichokes are not planted too densely: They can be up to two meters high and one meter wide. You should therefore keep a planting distance of 80 cm to one meter from one plant to the next. In between, however, you can plant fast-growing, shallow-rooted vegetables that are harvested before the artichokes reach their full size.
Caring for the artichoke
Artichokes should be watered sufficiently, especially during the growth phase. As mentioned, they also need sufficient nutrients. Therefore, they should be fertilized regularly: The fertilizer application when planting out follows at least another compost fertilization in late summer. If the soil is poor in nutrients, several fertilizers may be necessary.
Harvest artichokes
Not only does it look like the artichoke's flowers are being harvested, it is. Artichokes are also called flowering vegetables for the same reason. However, the flower is harvested as a bud when it is still closed. Otherwise a very attractive purple flower will appear and the artichoke will no longer be eaten. Learn how to harvest your artichokes here.
Hibernate artichoke
Most of the artichoke species available from us are reasonably hardy, but need winter protection. The artichoke is covered with a mixture of sand with straw, manure or leaves. You can find more information about wintering your artichoke in our Instructions for wintering.