|
||||||||||||||
Edible heads
Seedhead
Location;
|
Globe ArtichokeA short lived perennial vegetable that is not fully hardy and should be given winter protection Remove insulation materials about mid-April (Week 15/16) It can reach a height of 1.5 metres (5ft) They require regular watering and nitrogen feeds during the growing season. First year plants will only produce two or three heads, established plants can produce twenty to thirty heads each season. Some years you may get a second crop in late autumn. To encourage this; leave the small secondary heads on the plant at harvest time. The heart of the flower head is the edible part. Harvest when growth ceases and the edible leaves start to leave the flower head If the buds are not harvested they will turn into a thistle like flower head, this and the spiny foliage makes the plant a suitable structural plant in the ornamental garden.
Week 11; Sow seed in trays of seed compost maintain a minimum temperature of 16 C (60F). Germination should take about 7-10 days
Week 13; Prick out if large enough to handle into 75mm (3") pots of potting compost a place in a cool frost free place until planting out time.
Week 20; Plant out the rooted suckers and new seedlings in a sheltered, sunny position, in fertile, well-drained soil.
Around Week 26, the edible flower heads should be removed while still in the bud stage. The edible parts of the flower head are the fleshy base of each scale and the artichoke heart, which is the bottom of the flower and has a better flavour. After harvesting, cut down the foliage (around Week 28-30) to promote new growth.
Week 42; Remove the 200mm (8") long suckers, or side-growths, and pot up into 100-125mm (4"-5") pots of potting compost and over winter in a frost free greenhouse or frame
Week 44; Cut the stems down of one and two-year-old plants to about 500mm (18") high Discard three-year-old plants, having detached the long suckers for propagation. Draw soil up to the stems and cover the area with a 300mm (12") layer of straw or bracken; do not cover the top of the ridges.
Alternatively; use the foliage and additional straw or bracken to protect the crowns from frost.
Week 45; Prepare a sunny site that is protected from strong winds. Deeply dig and manure a piece of well-drained ground now in preparation for planting next year.
|
Related Links
Pests/Diseases; |
