How to Manage Pests

Planting artichokes

In areas where artichokes are grown as an annual, they can be direct seeded or grown in individual pots and then transplanted out. For transplants, start seeds 8 to 10 weeks before the last hard frost. To direct seed in the garden, plant on raised beds, made by adding large amounts of sifted compost or other soil amendments so that a bed is established above the previous level of soil. Place seeds about 2 feet apart on beds that are 60 to 80 inches wide. Avoid closer spacing; crowded plants tend to have smaller buds and it is more difficult to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 10 days.

Plants grown from seed are ready to set out when they have 3 to 4 true leaves. Perennial plantings of artichokes are typically grown from crown divisions. They are planted by hand in trenches that are 4 to 6 inches deep with 4 feet between plants. Perennial plantings are usually productive for 5 to 10 years. If transplanting in the summer, shade plants in the middle of the day for the first week or so, or use floating row covers.

Direct seed

Transplant