[Wilf]

I have just stated with my allotment and the Artichokes are a little 'wild' and I was wondering what I should be doing with them? Should I cut them back? Or just leave them to do their own thing?

Many thanks as always

Wilf

[New shoot]

I've just done a tidy up on mine, which consisted of pulling or cutting off the old raggedy leaves from the bottom.  You leave the new silvery fresh leaves emerging from the top.

If you have several plants and are not sure whether you like them, I would advise picking a couple of plants to cut artichokes from when small.  You will get lots more smaller artichokes forming, so you get a supply over the summer.  These are great boiled or steamed and then marinated in oil and vinegar.  I also quartered some and made artichoke tempura last year and that was fab 

If you leave a couple of plants to produce bigger artichokes, you can also try the classic ways to eat them