Dig for Your Dinner – Starting Artichokes from Seed

The HH loves artichokes, so I always make sure to include them in my garden.  They are actually really beautiful plants, in a strange, Tim Burton cartoon sort of way.  I kind of saw them in a new light when we stumbled onto the Thomas Keller’s French Laundry garden a couple of years back.  They aren’t a very common dinner table fare, but I don’t know why–you can class up pretty much any dish with them–afterall, they are, technically an edible flower.  Lore goes that Zeus himself turned one of his scorned lovers into an artichoke–maybe because it captured some sort of tragic beauty?  {Did I sound like a scholar there?  That’s what I was going for :)}.

Artichokes are packed with goodness.  They are a great source of vitamin C, folic acid, and magnesium.  They only have about 25 calories for a whole medium flower.  You really can’t make a case against them, so just embrace growing them.

How to Grow Artichokes:

One plant can yield up to 20 artichokes per season, so you really don’t need to plant a ton to get great yields.  To start them from seed, start approximately 12 weeks before the last frost.  Plant seeds 1/8″ deep.  When you transplant them outside, keep rows 2-4′ apart–one plant can get quite big.  Make sure to plant in a sunny location with good drainage.

When are Artichokes Ready to Harvest?

Harvest when flowers have reached full size, but are still CLOSED.  The flavor and texture changes the more they open up.  Cut the bud off with a 2-3″ stem.

Which Artichokes to grow?

• Green & Purple Artichokes {I’ve grown these several times, they are foolproof…well, almost.}

My Favorite Recipe with Artichokes:

My favorite way to eat artichokes is probably the most basic.  I steam them whole and then dip the edible part of the leave in melted butter.  If you are only into the artichoke heart {which, is admittedly the best part}, give Martha Stewart’s Artichoke Bottoms au Gratin recipe a try.  It’s cheesy aritchokey goodness.  If you want to turn an artichoke into an entire meal, try this Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta Stuffed Artichoke recipe–I mean, what in that title doesn’t sound uh-mazing?!

If you live in the Pacific Northwest Region and are unsure what seeds you should be starting right now, or when your transplants should be set out in the garden, this regional planting guide should help you out.

Don’t live in the Pacific Northwest? Find your regional planting guide HERE.