Artichoke Care
When you order an artichoke in the mail, there are certain steps to take to ensure better plant acclimation and establishment.
Artichoke plants come in numerous varieties with purple fruit, red, and green fruit too. Their flowers are spectacular and last for months. It is March right now in Southern California and my artichokes are just beginning to emerge. No matter what size or color, all artichokes taste great the second season, but you might luck out and have tasty artichokes the first season.
How many artichokes will
a plant yield?
With all the right
elements (sunshine, mulch, water, good soil, fertilizer) you should
expect about 30 artichokes or more per year per plant. The more room
you allow the roots to grow, the more artichokes you will yield. If
you plan to grow in a container, be certain it is a large container
designed for a tree.
When you first receive your artichoke plants...☼ Unpack your artichoke right away and do not disturb the roots! Remove the plastic packing, but the paper packing around the root ball can remain. The plant can be planted straight in the ground with the roots bundled and all.
☼ Keep it Shaded! Keep your artichoke in the shade for 1 week to 10 days. It will look wilted in the afternoon, but will look perky in the morning time. This is a good sign.
☼ When is the best time to plant? The best time to plant your new artichoke plant is when the sun is setting, on a cloudy day, or first thing in the morning. They key is to have mild weather to reduce plant shock.
☼ If you plant your artichoke straight in the ground, make sure to keep it shaded for 1 week with a simple canopy. If this is not possible, then plant in a temporary container. They need room! Plant your artichoke plants 5-6 feet apart.
☼ Digging and Planting in the hole... The hole should be dug twice as big as the root ball. Soak the inside of the hole with water first before planting the artichoke plant, and allow the ground to completely absorb the water. Gently plant the artichoke without disturbing the roots and pack with rich garden soil, such as Miracle Grow Moisture Control soil.
☼ If you plant your artichoke in a container, plant it in a very large container (like a tree container or whiskey barrel) and keep in the shade for 1 week.
☼ GO BANANAS:
Artichokes like potassium. When you first plant your
artichoke, place a rotten banana near the bottom of the hole or
container. 
☼ Water 2 times per day until established.
☼ Keep the leaves bundled for 4-7 days and stake your plant until it is established.
☼ The outer darker leaves may wilt but the sage colored new growth will continue to grow and produce new growth. This is common with transplanted artichokes and transplanted artichokes. After 1 -2 days you will be able to tell which leaves need to be pruned off.
☼ DO NOT DRENCH YOUR ARTICHOKE PLANT, BECAUSE IT WILL DROWN. Water your plant well, but do not soak your plant with standing water. Artichokes are thirsty plants, but they also need good drainage. Roots will rot if allowed to soak even for 1 day!
Fertilizing Your Artichokes
☼ Artichokes are hungry hungry plants! They require steer manure 1 time per month. Water in well. I also use Osomocote fertilizer once per season AND use water from my fish aquarium 1 time per week.
☼ MULCH is needed! If you have a pond, toss your extra water hyacinth under your artichoke plants. It will promote healthy growth. Grass trimmings and veggie trimmings tossed under the plant is also good mulch.
☼ Pest Control: Watch out for snails! I use Vinegar Spray (1 part vinegar to 1 part water), animal safe snail bate (Sluggo is best), and also set a trap with a jar and sliced up oranges. Ants may also be a problem in an artichoke garden.
