Most often, gardeners grow plants either for their visual
appeal or because they produce tasty fruits and vegetables. What if you could
do both? The Green Globe Improved artichoke is not only a highly nutritious
food, the plant is so attractive it is also grown as an ornamental.
Green Globe Artichoke Plants
The Green Globe Improved artichoke is a perennial heirloom
variety with silvery-green leaves. Hardy
in USDA zones 8 to 11, green globe artichoke plants require a long growing
season. When started indoors, they can be grown as annuals in colder climates.
Green Globe artichoke plants grow to height of 4 feet (1.2 m.).
The flower bud, the edible part of the artichoke plant, develops on a tall stem
from the center of the plant. Green Globe artichoke plants produce three to four
buds, which are 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 cm.) in diameter. If the artichoke bud
is not harvested, it will open into an attractive purple thistle-like flower.
How to Plant Green Globe Artichoke Perennials
Green Globe Improved artichoke plants require a 120-day
growing season, so direct sowing of seed in the spring is not recommended.
Instead, start
plants indoors between late January and early March. Use a 3- or 4-inch (7.6
to 10 cm.) planter and a nutrient-rich soil.
Artichokes
are slow to germinate, so allow three to four weeks for the seeds to sprout.
Warm temperatures in the range of 70 to 75 degrees F. (21 to 24 C.) and
slightly moist soil improves germination. Once sprouted, keep the soil moist
but not soggy. Artichokes are heavy feeders too, so it’s advisable to begin
weekly applications with a diluted fertilizer solution. Once the seedlings are three
to four weeks old, cull the weakest artichoke plants, leaving only one per pot.
When the seedlings are ready for transplant into perennial
beds, select a sunny location which has good drainage and rich, fertile soil.
Prior to planting, test
the soil and amend if necessary. Green Globe Improved artichoke plants
prefer a soil pH between 6.5 to 7.5. When planting, space perennial artichoke
plants a minimum of 4 feet (1.2 m.) apart.
Green Globe artichoke care is fairly simple. Perennial
plants do best with yearly applications of organic compost and a balanced
fertilizer during the growing season. To overwinter in areas which receive
frost, cut back artichoke plants and protect the crowns with a thick layer of
mulch or straw. The Green Globe variety continues to be productive for five
years or more.
Growing Green Globe Artichokes as Annuals
In hardiness zones 7 and colder, Green Globe artichoke
plants can be grown as garden annuals. Start seedlings as directed above. It’s
best to transplant artichoke seedlings into the garden after danger of frost,
but don’t hold off too long.
To ensure blossoming the first year, artichokes need
exposure to temperatures below 50 degrees F. (10 C.) for a minimum of 10 days
to two weeks. If an unexpected late frost is in the forecast, be sure to use
frost blankets or row covers to protect artichoke plants.
Green Globe Improved artichokes also make excellent container plants, giving northern gardeners another option for growing artichokes. To grow a perennial potted artichoke, trim the plant 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm.) above the soil line in the fall after harvesting is complete, but before freezing temperatures arrive. Store the pots indoors where winter temperatures remain above 25 degrees F. (-4 C.).
Plants can be moved outdoors once frost-free spring weather has arrived.
