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Artichoke

Question from Julia:
I watched your Youtube.com video which was very helpful. This summer I planted my first artichoke plant and unfortunately I believe the voles ate all of the artichoke flowers. I do live in New York State and understand that I could not attempt to grow artichokes outside all year round. I was hoping that I could possibly keep it inside for the winter. Also, after watching your video, I have a feeling that I should have divided this plant up at some point, because it is very wide in diameter now. I dug it up recently and it is taking up a LOT of room in my house. What are the chances that this plant will survive in a sunny window this winter and produce fruit next summer? Also, should I divide the plant up now or when I transplant it next spring? I would appreciate any guidance you could offer.

Answer from Pat:
As you doubtless know, artichokes are native to the Mediterranean region and are adapted to a cool, foggy, mild-winter climate. Thus they are not at all adapted to growing in your climate. Unfortunately, due to the large size of their fleshy roots, they do not do well in pots either, and though they can be grown in a half-barrel the plants will be stunted compared to growing them in the ground. All these factors make it a challenge to figure out how you could have success over-wintering the plants. Nonetheless, it might be possible to find a creative way to grow them. Here are ways to go.

You have two options. One option is to winterize your plant: About a week before your first frost date, cut the tops off the plants and cover with bales of straw to protect the roots through winter. In spring after last frost date, uncover the plants. Feed and water to encourage re-growth. To protect from voles, I suggest surrounding the plant with a fence of hardware cloth and burying the bottom of the fence in a deep trench or plant the roots in a large hardware cloth basket, but the best protection is a good cat or a couple of cats. With cats around you will have no voles.

Another option is to grow artichokes as an annual. To do this, I suggest you build a large raised bed, three feet tall and fill it with amended top soil. Make sure before filling it with top soil to cover the bottom with 1/4 inch galvanized hardware cloth to keep out voles. Nail this on the bottom of the wooden box. Or if you build a raised bed of brick or other masonry, then make sure to imbed the edges a sheet of galvanized hardware cloth in your concrete foundations.
Be sure to site your raised bed in full sun if your summers are cool. If very hot, then in partial shade during midday and good drainage is a must.

Next, look for a source of artichoke plants in four-inch size grown from seeds or else grow plants from seed yourself. Begin growing plants about 8 weeks prior to your last frost date and pot them on as they grow. Follow instructions on seed packet.

You will also need to determine your last frost date in the area where you live. To find out this information, please check this map: http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/weather/images/springfrostlg.jpg

If your last frost date is in May, then plant your artichokes outdoors about one week later. Fertilize and water regularly to force fast growth. Allow one central stalk plus only four side stalks to grow. Pull off all others and plant them elsewhere or give them to friends or simply compost them. Continue watering and feeding and in August you should be able to harvest one central large fruit, 4 fairly large ones, and 24 smaller ones you can cook and eat whole.

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