Globe artichoke

[Anita Plot]

Does anyone grow this. Which is a good one to grow. How long can it stay in the same place. What conditions does it like. Where is best to buy it.

Thank you

[Aberdeenplotter]

Anita, looks like the answer is no but thankfully we have access to search engines try this BBC - Gardening - Gardening Guides - Techniques - Growing artichokes

[veggiechicken]

Or you could try the Forum's very own Gardening Guide Growing Artichokes | How To Grow | Grow Your Own

[Alicante]

Hi Anita, I grow globe artichokes not for just for eating but because they are a lovely plant. I grew them from seed about 7 or 8 years ago, I think that the variety is green globe. They have been in the same spot on my allotment since I first planted them and the clumps just keep getting bigger. The soil they are grown in is very sandy, so I mulch them heavily in spring. They have never needed any protection over the winter (just the old flower spikes removing and a general tidy up) but I live in Hampshire. Some books say that the plants will die down in winter and resprout in spring but mine have leaves on them all year round.
Hope this helps!

[Kristen]

I grew some Green Globe but I thought they were pretty mediocre, and have since grown the French ones which I much prefer (Gros Vert de Laon and Camus de Bretagne). They seem to be hard to get hold of in the UK (mine came from France although I think that Sarah Raven has them) and they are not as hardy as Green Globe, so best to take offsets and overwinter in pots stashed away in the greenhouse or similar.

I seem to remember Christo Lloyd writing something outspoken, as was his style!, on the subject. I'll see if I can dig it out. They also get a 8 / 8.5 Bob's Score at CGF, which I take to be a good sign

[Thelma Sanders]

I've grown mine from an offshoots, gifted from another plotholder.
They don't die back here, unless we get snow that lays for more than a few days..... considering they get no special treatment, they do quite well.

[Noosner]

I grew Green Globe from seed about four years ago and have taken offshoots several times. I have three plants at the minute and love them, for their fabulous architectural silvery leaves as much as for the artichokes themselves, though I enjoy those too, boiled with a bit of butter or vinaigrette or even just plain.

I do need to fleece my plants over winter up here in the North and you might too in Wigan. One year I didn't do it and lost a plant.

[Lisasbolt]

I haven't grown any but have bought seeds to try.

I have Mr Fothergills (veg explorer) Green globe and Johnsons world kitchen (taste of France) Violet de Provence.

Both have 50 seeds in a pack but i will never grow that amount. I can swap something if you like.
I can send photos of the seed packs so you have all the info.

[Kristen]

Both have 50 seeds in a pack but i will never grow that amount

They are likely to come "variable" from seed, so you might want to grow more-than-you-need to then select plants / strains that perform better? If you take offsets from those you will be able to maintain the good ones, going forwards

[Guest]

I have green globe as well but usually go to pick them too late. Offshoots have gone back and forth several times between me and my Dad due to house moves etc and they are easy to get going. I have also grown Violet de provence several times from seed but struggle to get it to a decent size or get it to survive over winter

[muddled]

I love globe artichokes...they're big impressive plants (very encouraging for a so so gardener like me) taste divine, flowers are stunning whether cut or on the lot and bees go absolutely mad for them.

I bought mine this time from a garden centre because I got a new allotment in March. However, the best way to get a choke is to beg an offset from someone in the spring.
Each spring take new offsets from your plants so that you have them of different ages. I treat mine a bit like strawberries....year one I leave all the buds on. Year two and three they are best for eating, after that I tend to oik the plant out. I find they get a bit too big and unruly after three seasons and besides, I always have a couple of younger ones from offsets dotted round the place.