[flowerpower]

I am so excited to have extended the veg patch this year and I can now fit in a bed of artichokes. Yipee!... However, I'm stuggling to find any plants in the local nurseries.

I have found some on the Victoriana nursery  website but don't know if I can get them any cheaper or better. Shame I don't know someone who grows them..

Any Advice?
Many Thanks!

[Aidy]

What design of artichoke do you require and where are you?

[Greengirl]

Globe artichokes are easy to grow from seed, although it may not be 'til next year that you get a crop.

[SpudtheBinx]

I wish someone could tell me where to find my artichoke seeds... I have a seed tray ready and the seeds were on the table, honest!

[woodburner]

I have to admit I hardly looked for plants as seeds are so much cheaper. 

[rideandy]

My mate has ordered me some (£12 for 3) not sure where they are coming from but will find out for you tomorrow for you.

I picked up some from Wilkinsons It show a pic of a globe artichoke but the are a Cardunculus (£2 for 3) You eat the stems I think, defo not what i wanted!

[nicchick]

They sound like cardoons rideandy.
I got my globe artichoke plants on ebay and if memory serves they were under a tenner for six. If you know anyone with them they grow mini plantlets which you can split and grow on. Nic.

[woodburner]

Cardoons have flower heads like Globe artichoke but smaller and they can be eaten in the same way, but due to their smaller size are fiddlier.
More info here

[rideandy]

They sound like cardoons rideandy.

Yeah thats the ones.
Do you know anything about cardoons?

I wanna plant them but not sure what to do with them once the (if) they come up!
Advice would be great.
cheers

[rideandy]

Cardoons have flower heads like Globe artichoke but smaller and they can be eaten in the same way, but due to their smaller size are fiddlier.
More info here

Cheers woodburner, thats great .
Thanks.

[Trebor]

www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk

I ordered mine from here and they have been reliable on delivery for other stuff.

(Quick search for 'Artichokes' and they have Jerusalem tubers and Globe plants or seeds of a few varieties).

[lina]

I got my seeds from lovely peeps at www.suffolkherbs.com

Just checked and they have seeds: ARTICHOKE Violetto di Chioggia, Italian Globe Artichoke for £1.

If I can grow them from seed anyone can. I think they need to be sprouted about now.

lina x

[rideandy]

I got my seeds from lovely peeps at www.suffolkherbs.com

Just checked and they have seeds: ARTICHOKE Violetto di Chioggia, Italian Globe Artichoke for £1.

If I can grow them from seed anyone can. I think they need to be sprouted about now.

lina x

I planted 3 seeds 8 days ago and one popped through yesterday!
whoop whoop.
I have heard to not crop on the 1st year.

[woodburner]

No problem.

I've heard not to crop too, but on reflection it doesn't make sense, as the flowers take energy from the plant, so it would actually be better to cut the buds off. Maybe they mean you won't get much of a crop in the first year. I'm also finding conflicting advice about frost resistance.   

[Stripey_cat]

They mean you should pick off the buds as soon as they appear, not let them grow on to edible size!  Nice try, though.