Item Tag: Artichoke

50 Green Globe Artichoke Seeds – Non-GMO – Always Fresh Seeds! This is an old standard variety that can be grown as a perennial in warmer climates. Plants grow up to 6 feet tall with silver-green leaves. The edible flower buds known as chokes, grow to 3 or 4 inches in diameter, are green in color and are made up of thick fleshy scales and solid hearts. They can be harvested in the second season. METHOD 1 (Some grow this way, see Method 2 below. Sowing: Stratify seeds by putting them in damp sand in the fridge for 2 weeks. Then germinate seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before last frost. Plant them 1/4″ deep, in 4″ pots, and keep the seedlings at a temperature of 60-70 degrees. Once they grow several leaves, expose them to temperatures lower than 50 degrees F for at 12-20 days; this process, called vernalization, acts as a false “winter” that enhances the growing process. Transplant the seedlings outside two weeks after the last spring frost. Space them 48″ apart in rows 64″ apart. Direct sowing the seeds outside after last frost also is an option, though it takes the plants longer to mature. Artichokes can also be fall planted, especially in warmer climates, since artichokes thrive in cool weather. Growing: Take care to keep the young plants moist at all times and surrounded with mulch, compost, or straw. If fungus begins to form because of too much humidity, cut back on the water, and remove the affected leaves at once. Buds should begin to form about 120 days after transplanting, depending upon the climate. To overwinter this plant in warmer climates such as zone 7 and above, cover it thickly with mulch. Prevent excess moisture, as this often causes artichokes to die over winter. In zone 6 and colder, it will be necessary to dig up the plants by the roots, cut the stem to 3″, and store them with the roots protected in a cool place until spring. Replant them after the last frost. (METHOD 2 SOWNING ARTICHOKE SEEDS) When growing artichokes it’s best to find a sunny garden bed with fertile, well-draining soil. The plants are adaptable to various soil conditions but are heavy feeders and produce best in lightly moist, nutrient-rich soils. I top my raised beds with 2 inches of compost or aged manure before planting. A greenhouse, polytunnel, or other sheltered growing space is ideal for growing artichokes as perennials in zones 6 and lower. For the overwintered artichoke plants in my polytunnel, I add compost annually around each plant as well as a slow release organic vegetable fertilizer.Growing artichokes from seed Growing artichokes from seeds isn’t difficult but it does take a few weeks longer than crops like tomatoes or peppers. I start the seeds indoors in trays and cell packs 12 weeks before my last frost date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in pre-moistened potting mix. Expect the seedings to emerge in 10 to 14 days. The ideal temperature for germination is between 70 to 80 F (21 to 27 C). Once the seedlings are 2 to 3 inches tall, transplant them into 4 inch diameter pots. Set the seedlings into the garden once the soil temperature has reached 60 F (15 C). Slip each seedling from its pot and take a peek at the roots. If the taproot is circling around the bottom of the pot, gently straighten it out when you transplant. If transplanting earlier, cover the seedlings with row cover if frost threatens. Gardeners in warm climates that have mild winters generally transplant artichoke seedlings in autumn. The plants set their buds in mid to late spring and they’re cut back to the ground once production has finished. Globe artichoke plants resprout in autumn and crop again the following spring. NOTE: ALL GROWING INFO AND INSTRUCTIONS ARE SENT WITH YOUR ORDER. ONE FLAT SHIPPING FEE OF $4.29 FOR ORDERS IN THE UNITED STATES NO MATTER HOW MANY SEEDS YOU ORDER. COMBINED SHIPPING APPLIES TO AN UNLIMITED NUMBER OF SEEDS PAID FOR DURING CHECKOUT AT SAME TIME. YOU MUST CHECKOUT WITH ALL SEEDS AT THE SAME TIME, IN THE SAME TRANSACTION IN ORDER TO GET COMBINED SHIPPING. All Of Our Vegetable Seeds Are Heirloom And Organic Unless Otherwise Stated. Organic seeds will be stated as such in item title and item description, . All Seeds We Carry Are Either For The Current Growing Season Or For The Next Growing Season To Come Which Is Why Our Seeds Have Such A High Germination Rate And Will Last For Years If Stored Properly. We Do Not Sell Old Seeds. Our Heirloom Seeds Are All Gathered And Packaged By Hand So No Weed Seeds Or Anything Other Than What You Ordered Will Be In Your Seed Packets. We Do Not Carry Any Gmo Or Altered Seeds. All Seeds Will Come In A 2X3 Resealable Plastic Zip Lock Bag, Shipped In A Protective Bubble Mailer With Trackin. All multiple orders of the same seed are put in the same bag. For example if you order 500 beefsteak tomato seeds x 3 then 1500 seeds will be put in the same bag. We do not send out 3 individual bags with 500 in each. This goes for all seeds unless they are listings of different seeds.