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Globe artichokes (Cynara scolymus) are a great addition to any garden, providing food and ornamental value. They are a hardy plant that can be grown in many parts of Australia, except the tropics. With their stately appearance, they make a graceful feature, growing up to 1-2 metres in height and width. They are a perennial plant, producing edible flower buds over several years. The buds can be harvested before they open and are delicious roasted, sautéed, steamed, pickled, or eaten raw in salads. In this guide, we will explore the best practices for growing globe artichokes in Australia, covering topics such as climate, soil, propagation, and maintenance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Mediterranean and North African regions |
| Climate | Grows in most climates in Australia except the tropics |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil | Free-draining, improved soil |
| Watering | Over summer |
| Fertiliser | Scotts Osmocote® Controlled Release Fertiliser: Tomato, Vegetable & Herb |
| Height | 1.5-2m |
| Width | 1-1.5m |
| Space | Needs plenty of space |
| Planting time | Winter (frost-free regions) or spring |
| Harvest time | Spring, summer, autumn |
| Propagation | Seed, shoots, suckers |
| Flowering | If buds are left unharvested, they open into large purple flowers |
| Life | Perennial, 4-7 years |
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What You'll Learn
- Globe artichokes are hardy perennials that grow well in most Australian climates
- They require full sun, free-draining soil, and minimal water
- Sow seeds 3x deeper than their diameter in soil 15-18°C. Harvest in 42-57 weeks
- Propagate from suckers, offsets, or divide clumps every 4-5 years
- Harvest unopened flower buds in spring and summer
Globe artichokes are hardy perennials that grow well in most Australian climates
Globe artichokes are a hardy perennial that will grow in most Australian climates, except the tropics. They are a low-maintenance plant that can be grown from seed or bought as young plants in spring. They are a great addition to any garden as they are attractive plants with silvery grey, thistle-shaped leaves and large, soft, lobed leaves. They can grow quite large, so it is important to give them plenty of space to spread out, about 1-1.5 metres in width and height. They are a useful addition to gardens that require minimal chemical inputs.
Globe artichokes are a type of thistle and it is the immature flower head that is eaten. The flower buds are harvested before they open, when they are still in the shape of a globe. They are typically ready for picking in late spring or early summer. To harvest, use a sharp knife to cut the stem, leaving a few centimetres of stalk attached.
Globe artichokes like warmth, full sun, and free-draining soil. They can be grown in the ground or in pots, but they need plenty of space to grow. When growing in pots, use a large pot with drainage holes and fill it with a potting mix specifically for tomatoes, vegetables, and herbs. Mulching around the plant will help to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
To grow globe artichokes, choose a spot with full sun and free-draining soil. Improve the soil before planting by adding compost and fertiliser. Dig a hole in the prepared soil and place the plant in the centre, backfilling around the root ball. Water it well and mulch around the plant. Globe artichokes can also be grown from seed, but this is more time-consuming and slower to reach cropping size.
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They require full sun, free-draining soil, and minimal water
Globe artichokes require full sun, free-draining soil, and minimal water. They are native to the Mediterranean and North Africa, so they thrive in similar climates and can be grown in most parts of Australia, except the tropics.
When growing globe artichokes, it is important to choose a spot with full sun exposure and well-drained soil. They prefer sandy soil and can be planted almost year-round, either from seeds or seedlings. However, they do grow quite large, reaching up to 2 metres in height and 1.5 metres in width, so ensure they have plenty of space to grow.
To improve the soil before planting, you can add compost and fertiliser, such as Scotts Osmocote® Controlled Release Fertiliser: Tomato, Vegetable & Herb. Dig these into the top 10-20 cm of soil before planting your artichokes.
Globe artichokes are tough survivors and require minimal water. While they may need some watering during the summer, they are generally low-maintenance plants. They are perennials, so they will die off in the summer after flowering but will reshoot from the base every autumn. Each plant can produce for 4 to 7 years, and you can propagate new plants from the suckers that form at the base of the stems each year.
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Sow seeds 3x deeper than their diameter in soil 15-18°C. Harvest in 42-57 weeks
Globe artichokes are a great addition to your garden in Australia. They are a hardy plant, requiring minimal water, and will come back every autumn, reshooting from the base. They are also pest and disease-resistant.
To get started, you'll want to sow your seeds at a depth that is approximately three times the diameter of the seed. The ideal soil temperature for planting is between 15°C and 18°C. You should expect to harvest your artichokes in 42-57 weeks.
Artichokes are best planted in winter or spring, and they like full sun and well-draining soil. They grow quite large, so give them at least 1-1.5 metres of space in width and height. You can also grow them in raised beds or a single plant in a large pot.
Artichokes are ready to harvest once the flowers have formed but not yet opened. The buds and petals are tender at this stage and are delicious roasted, steamed, fried, boiled, pickled, or eaten raw in salads.
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Propagate from suckers, offsets, or divide clumps every 4-5 years
Globe artichokes can be propagated from suckers, offsets, or by dividing clumps. Plants can be kept for several years, and each year suckers will form at the base of the stems. These should be cut back to 30 cm high in autumn. In winter, they are pruned, leaving the four strongest shoots to flower the following spring. If you want to grow your artichokes from offsets, choose about five or six of the strongest and plant them at 1-metre intervals. Water them well and mulch heavily to prevent weeds and maintain soil moisture.
Clumps should be divided every four or five years to produce new, more vigorous plants. Each plant will produce for 4-7 years. When side shoots are about 40-50 cm tall, carefully remove them from the parent plant with a sharp spade and give them a spot of their own to grow.
Globe artichokes are hardy perennials that originated in the Mediterranean and North African regions, so they will grow in most climates around Australia except the tropics. They can grow quite large, so give them at least 1-1.5 metres to spread in width and height. They are best planted in winter (in frost-free regions) or spring. They like warmth, full sun, and free-draining soil, and once established, need little maintenance.
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Harvest unopened flower buds in spring and summer
Globe artichokes are ready to harvest once the flowers have formed but are still unopened. In this stage, the buds and petals are tender and can be eaten. The first buds appear in early spring and continue through to early summer.
To harvest, use a sharp knife to cut the stem, leaving a few centimetres of stalk attached. Before picking, ensure the buds are still in the shape of a globe and that the stem below the bud is still pliable. If you forget to harvest your artichokes, you will be rewarded with bright purple flowers that bees love.
Globe artichokes are perennials that can live for several years. They are hardy plants that require minimal water. Each plant will produce for 4-7 years. They grow well from seed, and if you leave spent heads on the ground, you will find tiny seedlings in the spring. They can also be grown from shoots or suckers.
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