Artichoke advise

Hi Digby, it is my first time growing artichokes too. I did quite a bit of research recently on growing them and this is the information that I found in summary:
Mulch in early spring with well rotted manure (obviously this will be for next year).
Harvest July - September (but not the first year, when you should remove the flower heads). You harvest the heads before they open, it said that once the scales start opening they become inedible. Cut off the main head (King head) first, cutting the stem halfway back at the same time, which will encourage secondary growth.
Allow 4-6 heads per plant and remove unwanted buds from lateral shoots.
Apply liquid feed every two weeks from June to August (it didn't say what!).
Cut back the stems in autumn (as you said) and protect the crown over winter with a thick mulch of bark or straw etc,. Fleece in severe weather but remove cover as soon as possible.
How much of this is actually necessary I am not sure, as plots all over the lottie seem to have globe artichokes growing with little sign of much being done to them (or the rest of the plot!). So I would be quite interested to know from those who have had experience growing them too.

I tried them for the first time last year, following the same rules as Allotmentann but I lost all ten in the spring with the crowns rotted.
I am trying again this year except I will try and keep the crowns DRIER during the winter.

Thank you so much both.

Do you think they've rotted because of all the wet weather we've had cos it would be difficult to protect them from that one.

Better luck this year

Digby

I stuck mine in about 3 years ago & let them get on with it, I just tidy them up in spring,they have had a bit of compost around them this year. They have got huge. I will try to harvest some this year to preserve in oil. Got some seeds that I haven't sown yet, might be a bit late now.