Growing Globe Artichokes in Raised Beds

Growing globe artichokes in raised beds allows you to have more control over heat and moisture levels, but the beds must be adequately insulated against winter cold. Plants may also become damaged from excessive summer heat or drought conditions.

These plants produce a summer crop of purple thistle-like flower buds that attract bees, adding interest and drawing bees into vegetable gardens. You can grow these from either seeds or transplants.

Soil

Globe artichokes thrive best in deep, fertile and well-draining soil with an ideal pH range between 6.5 and 8.0; sandy loam soil works especially well as it retains moisture while being heavy feeders themselves. Organic matter addition can improve their soil structure while helping retain moisture retention; they’re somewhat salt tolerant but too much salinity reduces yield and quality significantly.

Globe artichokes, unlike many vegetables, can survive drought conditions once their root systems have established a strong hold. To maintain optimal growth during their first growing season, regular watering should be performed two to three times weekly at least. If possible, water in the early morning to keep foliage and flower buds cool and prevent scorching.

Before transplanting, amend the soil with organic material such as compost, manure or aged mulch in the fall to improve drainage in heavy clay soils and increase fertility for heavy feeders. A proper soil test will reveal the optimal level of nitrogen (N) and other essential nutrients required for maximum growth; typically recommended is working 0.1 pound of N per 100 square feet into the soil prior to planting and applying liquid organic vegetable fertilizers every two weeks during active growth in spring.

Mulch can help block weeds, conserve soil moisture and improve the appearance of crops. Once buds start producing, the mulch should be removed so the buds remain compact and firm rather than opening up into tough and inedible bundles.

Based on your climate and environmental conditions, artichoke plants may require protection in winter with either a frost blanket or other form of protection. Extreme cold or wetness could kill or at least greatly diminish their productivity in future years.

Seeds should be planted directly into the garden in late spring or started indoors two to three weeks before the last frost date; plants rooted from crown divisions should also be set out two to three weeks prior to this event in spring.

Water

Growing globe artichokes in raised beds requires ample water for success. This plant needs plenty of moisture in order to produce tender buds for us to eat; two common reasons they fail are summer drought and soil that’s too wet in winter.

Both conditions prevent plants from reaching their full potential and can result in tough and tasteless harvests. To address this problem, ensure your planting area is mulched with at least 4-inches of organic materials such as dry grass clippings, straw or aged manure for effective protection from weeds and moisture retention. Doing this will also reduce weed growth while conserving soil moisture levels.

Artichokes thrive best in soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7, as this ensures sufficient sunshine. Because artichokes do not tolerate frost well, their environment must remain warm to prevent damage or death from frostbite.

Seeds should be started indoors at least eight weeks before the average last frost date and planted 1/4 inch deep into moistened seed starting mix in trays or pots, near bright windows for best results. Once transplanted to the garden, space plants 3-4 inches apart along rows three to five feet wide to allow room for their roots to spread; if you wish to grow perennials you must prune regularly during overwintering to protect them.

Once your plants have settled into their new beds, apply a 0.1-pound granular fertilizer containing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to foster springtime growth. Foliar applications of calcium/zinc liquid fertilizers are recommended every two weeks from when buds form in late fall until harvest begins.

When grown properly, growing this crop should be relatively trouble-free. Slugs and snails may attack young leaves while botrytis blight may infest older leaves; either water spraying or mild fungicide treatments should keep these pests under control. Aphids can also abound on this crop but can easily be manually removed or treated organically with products such as neem oil for treatment.

Light

Globe artichokes are an easy, low-maintenance vegetable crop that thrives in sunny environments with well-draining soil. Since they require a long growing season, start indoors eight weeks prior to your average last frost date and plant seeds 1/4″ deep into moistened seed starting mix in trays or pots filled with moistened mix; the germination process should take seven-21 days. When your seedlings are ready to set out vernalize them by exposing them to periods of cold temperatures; this simulates winter conditions and helps trigger flowering; vernalizing is particularly essential if growing these as perennial plants (zone 7+) or as annuals (zone 6 or lower).

Once seedlings are established, plant them out once frost has subsided and soil temperatures begin to warm in spring. Add organic compost or manure to improve soil texture and nutrition, mulch your bed frequently during its first few seasons to maintain constant moisture levels, fertilize with continuous-release organic fertilizer at planting time and apply according to product instructions throughout their growing season.

As part of your growing season routine, regularly inspect the plants for pests and disease. Slugs and snails must be controlled with barrier methods, while signs of aphids – soft-bodied insects that feed on buds and leaves while spreading viruses – should also be watched out for. Spray strong jets of water at them to knock them off the plants quickly while simultaneously encouraging natural predators such as lady beetles or lacewings to attack.

As each bud can only produce one or two edible artichokes, plant your seedlings four to six feet apart for maximum harvesting potential. A 20-foot row will provide enough food for four people if maintained as perennials; otherwise divide mature clumps periodically to maintain vigor and productivity. There are numerous heirloom and hybrid cultivars available including high yielding varieties like Green Globe; newer cultivars are being developed that improve cold tolerance, disease resistance, head quality etc.

Pruning

Globe artichokes make an excellent addition to raised beds that receive partial sun. While these plants thrive in warm weather, weedy growth may occur if conditions become too cool, wet, or windy. They produce multiple edible buds per season and make an attractive complement for flowers in gardens or on sunny decks and patios. Globe artichokes can also be planted as edible accents in containers – and make for great edible decorations in gardens!

Growing artichokes in raised beds requires ample soil amendment and regular fertilization to promote healthy growth and flower production. Artichokes are heavy nitrogen feeders, so applying an effective 5–10-4 fertilizer regularly throughout the season is key to their healthful growth and flower production.

Harvest buds when they are tightly packed and firm to maximize yield and quality. Overriped buds can quickly develop tough, fibrous chokes inside that become unappetizing and unusable; harvesting regularly encourages your plants to produce additional buds from lateral shoots, increasing yield and quality.

If planting from seed, vernalizing young plants by exposing them to cool temperatures for two weeks prior to sowing can increase your odds of a successful first-year crop, especially in climates with shorter growing seasons. By simulating winter conditions during this vernalization process, flower buds are stimulated and more likely to blossom upon sowing.

As is true of any vegetable crop, when growing artichokes in raised beds it is important to watch for pests like slugs and snails as well as aphids, which colonize underside of leaves taking away vital nutrients from them.

To help prevent aphids, apply a light layer of organic mulch such as straw, dry grass clippings or aged manure around your plants to the ground around them. This will help suppress weeds while conserving soil moisture and moderating temperature fluctuations during hot summer periods. Applying organic liquid fertilizers such as kelp tea or compost tea regularly will also promote healthier plants with greater productivity.