A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2003 Anyone grow artichokes?

I'm thinking about putting in a raised bed next spring and planting some veggies. I would love to grow some artichokes but I don't know how difficult they are. I do know they love Calif. since we produce the majority of artichokes for the country, but I think that's in central Ca. near the coast. Its bit more hot and dry down here. Any thoughts? Any tips?

my sister grows them they had a yellow flower that was very pretty and fixed me some kind of spicey dish with chicken& deer meat and had zuccinni& eggplant& artachoke with a tomato sauce that was spicey it was very good.i imagine was easy to grow she lives in TN but is real slow about answering e mail.I'd have better luck asking one of the kids..LOL
she did have it in a raised bed though.not much sun but is in sunniest part of yard is tucked around dianthus& zinnia,rosemary,thyme.said tasted better than store bought.that was in may.so can't tell ya a thing about growing them

Njoynit, your sister is growing Jerusalem Artichokes aka sun chokes. They are perennial here in zone 7. I dig up my tubers in the fall/winter as I plan to use them. They are good sliced thin and sauteed, a lot like water chesnuts. My patch is located in a raised bed with morning and early afternoon sun. HTH

Dawn

Thanks for the info. Apparently I have to do some more research before I get into this one... plus I still have to convince my hubby that another garden won't be so bad...

Now, if the question had been, "Anyone kill artichokes?"


You'd see a hand waving from LA...

gardengal,
There is also a Globe Artichoke (Cynara Scolymus) which is a tender perennial that grows 3-4' tall, 3-4' wide. Its flower buds are eaten before they begin to open--- artichoke hearts.

Dawn

Yeah, it's really classified as a thistle, I think...or did someone already say that?. They're a beautiful lavender when they bloom.

A shot of my Jerusalem Artichoke blooms this year. The plants grew to be atleast 7' tall. This plant isn't related to the globe artichoke. It is actually a type of sunflower ( Helianthus tuberosus).

Dawn

Thanks Dawn Marie for the info. !