Moon's Graden

I'm considering growing artichokes this year but know NOTHING about them
(except that the make great eating).

Besides the standard horticultural questions (any advice gladly
accepted) I'm wondering how many heads each plant will produce.  Is this
a one head per plant situation?

Kat
In So. Cal. (Z10/Sunset18)

writes:

I planted just one plant.  In the spring -- for about 6-8 weeks -- it
was enough for a family of 4 to each artichokes twice a week.  Now my
children are grown and gone, and my wife and I will have to search the
cookbooks for new arti***recipes.  

If gophers are know in your area, plant artichokes in large holes (3 ft
across by 2 ft deep) lined with poultry wire that extends at least 3
inches above the soil.  Refill the hole (stirring much bone meal or
super-phosphate into the soil) and then plant.  

Snails, spider mites, and aphids are the primary pests.  There is also a
small grub or maggot that gets into the chokes.  I also find earwigs and
ants inside the chokes, but they don't seem to cause any damage (except
in the kitchen, when my wife starts screaming at me to get rid of
them).  Except for the snails, these can all be controlled with
malathion; just don't use any poison within a week of picking.  The
snails are very well controlled by carnivorous decollate snails.  

If you get significant frost in the winter, leave all dead growth intact
until spring.  If you get snow, tie the dead leaves over the top of the
plant.  This protects the new growth buds near the ground.  If you get
puny chokes in the summer, remove them.  They bloom nicely but that will
reduce next year's crop.  Keep the plant well watered, especially in the
summer heat; even then, don't be surprised if it goes dormant in the
summer.  (Mine looks real ratty by August.)  Because of the extensive
folliage growth, toss a handfull or two of general-purpose or high
nitrogen fertilizer around the plant every month or so during the
gorwing season.  

--
David Ross
Climate:  California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence

writes:

They aren't hard to grow - you can start them in containers early (like now)
and then plant them out in some reasonably fertile permanent location, allowing
2-3' between plants.  They like cool summers and mild winters, northern
california coastal areas being close to the ideal, so if you get really hot
summers where you are you might want to find a cool microclimate in your Garden
for them.  Aphids can be pesky, but regular spray so water or safer's
insecticidal soap will knock down their numbers.

Good luck!

   ____________________
  |                    |
  |     Bob Carter     | Kootenay Bay, BC, Canada

  |____________________|

... Beware of programmers who carry screwdrivers.

: I'm considering growing artichokes this year but know NOTHING about them
: (except that the make great eating).

: Besides the standard horticultural questions (any advice gladly
: accepted) I'm wondering how many heads each plant will produce.  Is this
: a one head per plant situation?

: Kat
: In So. Cal. (Z10/Sunset18)

Kat, we grew artichokes when we were still in your area. They did very
well with a minimum of work. Well worth putting a few in.

I've heard that they also do well up here in WA. After reading some of
the other postings, they'll definitely be on the list!

Marjorie

Tonga

Gene Byron wrote [in part]:

--
David Ross
Climate:  California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence

--RC