Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
artichoke
Common names: vegetable artichoke
Photo: Burkhard Mücke · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The artichoke is a striking, thistle‑like perennial shrub whose unopened flower buds are harvested as a fine delicacy. With its silvery‑green, deeply cut leaves it can reach over a meter in height and also serves as ornamental groundcover. In mild climates it can survive several years with adequate winter protection.
Care instructions
Sow seeds from February in a warm, protected location and transplant seedlings after the last frost to a sunny, wind‑protected spot with nutrient‑rich soil. Water during dry periods and amend the plant with compost. Harvest the buds while the scales remain tightly closed; in autumn, mound the root with leaf litter and straw to protect it through winter.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
loamy, humus-rich, well-drained, nutrient-rich
Feeding
Heavy feeder
Months
Mar–Jul
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
- Division
- Offsets
Companion planting
Good neighbors
carrot family (Apiaceae)
Calendula and Tagetes next to carrots keep the carrot fly away with their scent.
For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
Rather not
nightshade family (Solanaceae)
Sunflowers release substances into the soil that inhibit potato tuber growth, and they also compete for water and nutrients.
For example PotatoTomatoSweet pepperCocktail tomatoEggplantCape gooseberry and 9 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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From the magazine
Artichoke and Cardoon: Growing, Harvesting and Overwintering
One and the same Mediterranean thistle, two vegetables: with the artichoke you harvest the bud, with the cardoon the blanched leaf stalk. Here is how to nail the sowing, harvest and winter protection in the DACH garden.
Growing Jerusalem Artichoke and Yacon: Two Tubers That Almost Grow Themselves
Jerusalem artichoke grows as if by itself and needs taming rather than tending, while yacon surprises with juicy, sweet tubers from the Andes. Here is how to plant, harvest and store these two low-maintenance potato alternatives.