Q:  Gail, I just planted both artichokes in the garden today. They had been in a half bushel basket for the last week in the shade and they were doing great. The spot I put them in, in the garden, gets full sun almost all day. I just checked on them and all of the growth has completely laid down, almost flat on the ground. When I planted them I water them pretty heavy and then put grass clipping around the base. I'm hoping that is a little normal since they are just getting full sun today but I don't want it to be a shock to them. Any thoughts? Is there anything special I should do other than the directions on your website? Steve - Nashville, TN

 A:  This also happened to me! Sounds like the plants needed a little more time in the shade. Leave them where they are. Pound some stakes in the ground and hang a sheet canopy over the plants for a little more time of shade. Pound in a thin stake next to the plants and gently bind them up for a little support. I usually use a plastic grocery bag to stake up plants. The artichokes will look a little sad for a while, but they will come back. Don't worry if the plants shed some of its leaves. This is how artichokes generate energy to the more important part of the plant; such as the center and the roots. 

The pic on the left is an artichoke that I bound up to help it through its transplanting shock.  See: http://www.sweetheartartichokes.com/care02.htm. B-1 can also help give a plant the boost it needs for recovery.   This can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot.   Let me know how it goes!

WILTING ARTICHOKE UPDATE: 
 It seems as though they needed a little more water. It's almost 5pm here and still holding steady at 91 degrees so I gave them another good soaking. After about 10 minutes they began to perk back up. I'm going to run a slow drip soaker hose through the garden in about an hour so and then water the whole garden just after dusk so they'll get a little more water then too. I think I just underestimated exactly how much water they need. I'll keep you posted. Steve

 

  Update on Steve's Artichoke: 

  Shipped from California to Nashville and it is growing strong!  He's got one globe ready to pick and more on the way.

Garden pest control is a constant battle no matter what kind of vegetable or herb garden you might have. I have tried many kitchen concoctions and sprays from the hardware store too.  Many kitchen "potions" are smelly and messy, and insect spray can be expensive and over time become ineffective.  Here are some ideas that I hope you will find "gardener friendly" and cost effective too...

Prepare Hot Pepper Spray In a bowl mix the following and then pour through a coffee filter into a clean spray bottle: 3/4 bottle water 4 drops Ivory dish soap 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

TRAP - SALT - DESTROY  I recently uncovered an old bird bath bowl to find a whole army of snails!  Instead of spending tons on pesticide, I used salt instead.  Snails and slugs come out at night and then hide under buckets, concrete blocks, or any cool damp place during the day. Set your trap close to the garden, but far enough away where the salt will not harm your plants. Check the trap each morning and salt well. The chemical reaction to salt will make the snails fizzle and die.  Training your dog also works!  Ashley doggy is learning how to kill snails upon demand, but she must get over the slimy feeling first!

 Q:  Gail, I have had a disastrous snail infestation on my Artichoke plants. They have eaten them down to the base in the last week. I tried vinegar to no avail (we have dogs who have access to the garden and sometimes eat snails) now I have found Sluggo snail bait online that is supposed to be the solution and it is pet friendly. I will be putting it out this evening and from now on. Can I expect these plants to regrow now that I have the snail infestation under control ???  

Jim, San Diego, CA

 A:  Snails are EVIL! Your artichokes should grow back as long as the snails did not devour the roots, but feed your artichokes a big scoop of plain steer manure and water well.

1. Seek and destroy snails first thing every morning.

2. Picking and or beheading is best.

3. Spray the underside of leaves and the area where the leaves attach to the plant with ORTHO MAX Flower and Vegetable insect spray.

4. Apply Sluggo Snail Bate twice per week.  If you have a Home Depot, it can be purchased there.  Make sure to apply to any surrounding grassy areas, under the plant, and in the crevices of the plant where the leaves meet the plant.

5. If you cannot get Sluggo, then any other pet safe bate will work… but not as well. 

6. Strong Vinegar-Water works for a sneak fizzle attack, but will not kill off the colony.

7. Save your eggs shells from the kitchen.  Crush them up and apply under your artichoke plants.   It is good for the plants and snails cannot cross over the sharp edges of the shells.

GOOD LUCK!  Because these are second season artichokes, I’m confident the plants will indeed recover.  GAiL

If left unchecked, cabbage worms can devour an entire artichoke plant in just 2 days.  They begin as tiny cute inch worms, but quickly turn FAT on your prized vegetable garden.  Cabbage worms blend in well with the green underside of your artichoke leaves.  Pinch them off as soon as you find them!  Although they turn into pretty white butterflies, cabbage worms WILL leave a huge destructive path in your garden.  Insecticide soap works well to keep them under control.

Update
Last year was a nightmare for cabbage worms. So, I started early this year. In April, I sprayed the bottom sides of the leaves with Ortho Max flower, Fruit and Vegetable Insect Killer.  I prefer the pre-mixed hand pump spray bottle over the one you attach to the hose. It gave me better application control and prevented using too much chemicals.  I've only found 2 cabbage worms this year.  Last year I found hundreds!

Gourmet Violetta Artichokes

A smaller variety.  Grows to about 4' tall and 5' wide.  The artichokes are about half the size of the Green Globe, but very tasty! Beautiful deep purple color the first year.  The second year the globes look more like a green globe with slight purple coloration at the base.

New this Year
The Canada Star is very similar to the Gourmet Violetta.  This is an Italian artichoke that is actually grown in Canada! (Also know as the Violet Star.) 

 Q:  Sooooooo... how do I know when my artichoke is ready to pluck and eat???   They have sprouted up and are now above rest of the plant rather than down deep in the middle of the plant...  I know if I wait too long they go to flower and are PRETTY.. but not very edible... 

Richard Rumble
Capistrano Beach, CA
 

 A:  When the bottom leaves are slightly separated from the globe, then you can pick... or when it just seems big enough to eat.  That works too. GAiL

  Gourmet Violetta Artichokes

  The stunning color of the Violetta Artichoke never ceases to amaze me.  Left to grow it will become almost as big as the green globe. Very tender and delicious too!

 Q:  Gail, last year I purchased some artichokes from you. Last fall before frost I cut back & mulched & mounded with straw... When will I see some new growth this year? We have already had some 80 deg days but have reverted back to more normal upper 60s low 70s. We are in central Virginia zone 6-7... Thanks, waiting to hear back from you.

Dave - Virginia

A:  Hi Dave

Are your artichokes in full sun?  My idea is to make sure they are watered.  Even though it may be hot out the ground might still be cold.  You will need at least 4-6 weeks of nice warm and sunny weather before they pop up again.  After that, I would try gently pushing the soil back to see if the roots rotted or if they were eaten by rodents.  I am growing some new Imperial Star artichokes right now that are supposed to be the most hardy ‘chokes in the market.  They are thornless and will survive both hot and cold climates.  I’m happy to ship one to you for shipping cost. 

GARDEN BLESSINGS,  GAiL

 Q:  Gail, Due to heavy wind and abundant growth my artichokes (both) have fallen over.   What to do?

Thanks for your advice,

Sharon

 A:  Yikes!  That happened to me too.  I thought my one artichoke was a gonner because it was split about 3/4 through from breaking over. So, I gently staked up my artichoke plant and trimmed back the heavy top where the artichoke globes were growing.  I watered and fertilized with steer manure really good. Then I waited. Wouldn't you know... after 3 days of intensive care it is starting to perk back up!  So... even if your artichoke does not recover, don't give up.  It is early in the season and it will grow a new shoot if you continue to take good care of it. 

 Hope this helps! GAiL

 Marvin the Cat

Our cats enjoy playing under the artichoke garden.  It's a great place for them to hide and play. 

 Hide and Seek With Ashley

Ashley doggy likes to play hide and seek in the artichoke garden.  She gets sooo excited!  Ashely will run out into the garden,  hide behind a large plant, and then site there absolutely still will a big doggy smile on her face.  Can you see her in this pic?