Artichoke Seeds

semillas de alcachofa

Cynara scolymus

This gourmet-quality perennial is grown in warm climates as either a perennial or biennial, however it is grown as an annual in colder climates. Native to the Mediterranean, Artichokes are becoming increasingly popular in many gardens from Zone 11 north to Zone 4. Artichokes require very fertile, well drained soil with a pH of 6.5-8.0. Do schedule your transplanting schedule to include the Vernalization (Cold Treatment). Make sure that the plant receives 10 days of 45-50° temperatures to induce earlier budding. 

In North America, the ideal climate for growing Artichokes is along the coastal areas of central California, where the plants yield all year long. You will just need to give some special attention if you live in any other region, gardeners from many regions enjoy growing these and are certainly worth it.One medium artichoke will pack a real punch of dietary fiber as well as eating the leaves and heart will also serve up a good amount of the required daily value of vitamin C, K and folate. Did you know that a recent study ranked artichokes extremely high in total antioxidants per serving, out of more than 1000 foods that were tested. Artichokes even outranked the highly proclaimed broccoli. The objective is to convince the Artichoke plant that it is two years old and ready to make buds, rather than a seedling ready to make only leaves. This is done by growing the plant at cool temperatures for a prescribed length of time. This cold treatment makes the seedling behave as if it is an older plant ready to flower.