skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

Artichokes in containers

16 years ago

Here's a picture of my artichokes this morning. I have six of them in containers. They do wonderful! (More vegetables pics coming soon...tomatos, peppers, squash, cucumber,eggplant, peas, beans...I went a little crazy, all in containers) What do you think?

{{gwi:42444}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

koreyk
16 years ago
I want to grow artichokes in containers and have been thinking about starting a thread to ask how to do it. Can you tell us more about artichokes in containers. how big. what variety. the soil you use. do you try to move it indoors in the winter etc.

Unfortunately I am zone 5 and get really cold for a long time. at least 3 to 4 months of deep cold. So I would do the containers mostly to try to overwinter them to get a bigger better plant in the following years.

I am doing 4 in the ground outside right now. they are big leaves but no height yet. no chokes. I started the seed on Feb 15. so it is a long time running.

I am not sure about how big a root system these get. My impression is they get a huge root system that stops them from growing in a container.

I am growing Imperial Star the one that everyone says to grow for same year harvest. no other choice really.
MGPinSavannah
16 years ago
WOW! I had NO idea you could grow artichokes in containers! This is probably right up my alley right now while I'm planning where my "permanent" garden beds are going to be. Is it possible to get more than one artichoke per plant, or do I need to get more pots? I'm drooling already... and melting butter...
Related Discussions
Artichokes in Containers
Q
Comments (2)
Haven't tried artichokes, but cardoons are a close relative, and they did pretty well in self watering containers each with about 1.5 cu ft of bark-based mix. They did get a little pot bound, though, so that's probably as small as you should go. I think in Chicago the summer heat will be as much of a challenge as winter cold. And if they do make it to winter, I wouldn't expect them to thrive. They may go dormant even if you move them indoors (good luck with those 3 cu ft pots!). So don't give up hope if they look dead. Don't let them dry out too badly and they may come back in the spring.
...See More
New to AZ and a would love suggestions!
Q
Comments (13)
Hah, fun and funny replies. Thanks for the nice words on my picasaweb albums too, I appreciate it. My garden is quite small, so I have to try to keep myself reined in, LOL. While small, my garden DOES have a fun key-hole shape, so I love it even if some trees are too large for my place. Too bad your olive is a fruitless one since you would actually process any fruit. I don't know anyone who does that but I'd love to see/hear it firsthand from someone. There are a lot of mature fruiting olives around town, you should have no trouble foraging, LOL. This is a great time of year for leafy greens--I've got leaf lettuce coming out my ears, so if you've got the itch to grow some edibles, lettuce in a moderately sized pot or in the ground will produce nicely for you. A lot of my leafy plants die in summer (like they do in winter in cold winter places, so it all evens out), so I just replace them (pansies, geraniums, petunias) with heat lovers like zinnias, celosia, and vincas, so no need to prepare for UTTER death in the garden in summer, LOL. Have fun, post often, and keep us posted on what you're doing and how it works out! Happy gardening all, Grant Here is a link that might be useful: Grant's garden pics (so far) January 2012
...See More
Sprouting Artichokes and Leeks
Q
Comments (3)
Leeks do not require vernalization, unless you want seeds. They, along with other alliums, are pretty cold tolerant too. There is really no need to wait until after frost to transplant them. However, in my experience (with onions) if they get too cold, for too long, they will go to seed on you in late summer.
...See More
Growing Artichokes in Containers
Q
Comments (0)
I am currently germination about 20 Italian purple artichokes in a small indoor greenhouse in my basement. Most have sprouted and it looks like I will have more than I have room for in my raised garden shown here. My raised garden is about 4 feet by 18 feet and since the chokes need to be about 3 feet apart, if I stagger them towards the sides, I can plant about 8 plants. That leaves me needing a home for a bunch of small artichoke plants. I plant my garden chokes as annuals and I am considering trying to plant a few in containers and grow them as perennials, placing them in my unheated shed in the winter. Question - Any suggestions on cost-effective containers?
...See More
dewy1414
Original Author
16 years ago
Hey! Thanks for responding.

This is only my second time growing them. I put two Artichoke plants per 3 gallon container and they love that. I did 4 per 5 gallon and they were fine. I figure...survival of the fittest, but all plants survive and lovebeing close to eachother... i think it keeps them warmer in my seattle climate.

They seem to love dry-ish soil. I use potting soil and mix in peat moss and some bark. I mix in organic vegetable fert. every few weeks because in containers...that is a must...they need extra food. i water at night...and watch 'em grow in the day. ;)

Koreyk -

I plant them in containers because in the winter I can bring them close to the house or in the garage to keep them "warmer". This might be the best thing for you. When the plants grow larger...they will shed there "Big" leaves right before they start to grow their stalk. They get skinny leaves like the one in the pic. (The plant is just starting to stalk in the pic)

About there root system, i think its more of a 'ball'...not wide and spread out. More of a reason they are great for containers.

About the plant, 3-4 feet high...and a few chokes per plant...And I'm using Imperial like you. SO, Good luck! I'll post more pics soon!
koreyk
16 years ago
how to grow artichokes in all areas of the country.

http://wy.essortment.com/howtogrowarti_ozn.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: how to grow artichokes

Related Stories

CONTAINER GARDENS 9 Tips for Creating an Artful Container Garden

By Christine Tusher

Make your potted plantings a beautiful sight with these ideas for container types, plant groupings and more

CONTAINER GARDENS New Colors for Your Fall Planters

Take a break from the same old orange, red and yellow plants and enjoy some fresh colors in your pots this fall

URBAN GARDENS Harvest the Bounty of a Patio Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Make the most of small spaces on decks and balconies to enjoy your pick of vegetables, fruits and herbs

EDIBLE GARDENS See How a Practical Garden Can Be a Visual Treat, Too

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

A university edible garden overflows with ideas for growing produce and flowers in containers, beds — or a pickup truck

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Cold-Hardy Succulents for Cool-Season Interest

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

These attractive plants shrug off colder temperatures, and many can be brought inside in containers in extra-chilly climates

GARDENING GUIDES Your Garden Is Stirring — Here’s What to Do in February

By Susan Haynes

February is a good time to start seeds, shape up shrubs and watch for the earliest blooms. Here’s what to do in your part of the U.S. now

KITCHEN DESIGN A Modern Kitchen Inspired by Edwardian Style

By Cathy Rebecca

Attention to detail and functionality make for a kitchen that is as beautiful to work in as it is to look at

GARDENING GUIDES Decorate the Landscape With Versatile Agave

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Beautiful, succulent leaves reach toward the sky, adding texture and beauty to the drought-tolerant landscape

FARM YOUR YARD 6 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food

By Abundant City

It takes time and practice, but growing edibles in the suburbs or city is possible with smart prep and patience

GARDENING GUIDES Vegetables and Flowers Mix in Beautiful Edible Gardens

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Ornamentals, meet your edible garden mates. We know you'll get along just beautifully

Sponsored

More Discussions

Veggie Tales - April 2024

51

I'm completely devastated

28

Garden slug tip

3

How often to add soil sulfur?

5

How long do you harden off seedlings?

4