[Beetie]

Globe artichokes are one of my favourite things to eat...my mouth is watering thinking about it....

...anyway, due to this love I very much want to grow them on the plot. This is my second growing season and my plot is under better control so I am starting to plan perennial beds.

So I was wanting to see if anyone has any hints and tips to successfully grow globe artichokes? Also if there is an ideal number of plants to have?

One of the ongoing battles on my plot is with couch grass and bindweed which is being hand weeded out. The area will be clear but there is the chance it could creep back and hassle the plants. How would the plant cope if I had to lift it in winter to get at weed roots?

Thanks.

[ghost61]

Don't lift them, they are great at creating shade that drowns out a lot of weeds.  How many plants? Depends how many GAs you want.  I have 10 3yr old plants and last year that produce about 5 chokes per plant.  I couldn't keep up!  This year I plant to preserve some so the more the merrier!

[SusieB]

I was advised to buy suckers, as opposed to seed grown plants, but these aren't easy to find on the internet.

[bravemurphy]

I grew mine from seed 3 years ago and didn't harvest anything the first year, but last year we had loads and this year looks like we are going to have even more we have 7 plants and they are huge.
Everyone who walks past comments on them they are a very attractive plant.

[Yorkie]

Don't forget that the main website has lots of useful plant-related info:

http://www.allotment-garden.org/grow-your-own/globe-artichokes.php

[surbie100]

Our garden centre has them in now, but they are pricey at about £8 each. I've grown some from seed. Germination wasn't brilliant, and I've got 3 clinging on to life at the minute. One's given up...

Does anyone on your site have some that you could beg suckers from?

[bravemurphy]

I don't think mine has any suckers, I will have a look tomorrow.

[Chaz1985]

My one seems to thrive on neglect as I inherited it when I took over run down plot 80B last year.
It's never  been fed but its n full sun but still produced at least 6 chokes last year, this year I've currently counted 4 flowers buds at the moment. It does take up a fair bit of room about 1m2.