Harvesting Artichokes (Thanks to Silvia)

12 years ago

Silvia gave me an artichoke seedling in the fall. I raised it in a split-barrel container, and now I'm harvesting artichokes!!! We've had three so far and we have three more on the plant.

Both the flavor and texture are excellent. I had read that a Florida-grown artichoke would be tough. Not so. They're very tender so far.

Now if I could only grow asparagus and garlic. . .

I have a few pictures on my blog.

Here is a link that might be useful: Artichokes

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Comments (16)

L_in_FL
12 years ago
Oooo, that looks tasty!
whgille
12 years ago
Oh Bill, I am so happy for you!!!. Louie told me that gets about 50 per plant...
And he is also getting them, as far as mine I think they are planted in the wrong spot or I will get them soon. A container is a much better idea.
Your recipe looks so yummy! I have to try that. In Italy they had a specialty roman style but to my taste they are kind of overcooked.

Bill, next fall maybe we can grow these.:)

I didn't know that you wanted to plant garlic, I had some garlic that is good for the southern states from Monticello and because I was going to Italy and wanted to make it easy on Willy, I didn't plant them. I am eating them now with the meals so they don't go bad.

Love your blog!

Silvia
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Hi Bill Wow! that is a beautiful display of the lettuce, I am so glad that you like it. My artichoke is also doing well and I gave 3 artichokes to Louie, the Oakland gardener because he has a lot of space and his are doing good, he said better than the ones he planted last year. Your post is right on time before I go to Italy tomorrow, and I hope to learn new vegetable varieties and ways to use them. We will be visiting the fresh produce market, a farm and a winery, hope to take a lot of pictures.:) Silvia
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Carmen, start the tomato seeds right away. It is too hot outside for the kale, but if you can keep them indoors or in the shade it might work. Same with broccoli, when is cooler you can get some decent transplants for broccoli from the stores , the pack man variety does well and I plant them as a decoy for my dogs so they leave alone other crops. If you like kale, it is one crop that does very well, very easy to grow. I still have some that survived the heat, they taste better when is cooler. Good luck with your next fall garden! Silvia
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It depends on what I want. If I want chips or fries I eat them right away. If I want more sweetness I'll store it for a couple weeks. But, normally I am craving them and dig them only to eat them before they can cure properly. Silvia... I won't tell you what that potato looks like. Are you sure it's a potato? ;-)
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Hi Bill, I missed this one too. Lets make a plan to have a "reunion" at Silvia's next shindig, think you could get Michael to come along? Silvia, I try and try, but I never manage to have tomatoes ripe at this time of year--especially not the big ones. Mine just won't set fruit until temps drop (which here was not long ago) Since I'm Zone 10 and my garden is only EIGHT feet from a lake I'm quite challenged with bloom set due heat AND humidity, so for large fruit I'd recommend Beefmaster, and my new "best friend" variety from Lou/Silvia - Monomakh's Hat, a Russian oxheart that has set just as well as Beefmaster under extremely harsh conditions and also has that wonderful old-world tomato taste.... Tom
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amberroses
12 years ago
It's nice to hear about your artichoke success. I have two plants in the Earthbox. I hope it's not too late for me to get some buds too. Silly me, I thought it was one bud per plant. I like to learn about things as I grow them.
castorp
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks to you all.

Silvia, those purple artichokes are beautiful.

Do you know what type of artichoke we're growing now?

I have read that some people dig up the roots of the plant, store them like bulbs, and replant them in the fall. I don't know if this is possible but I'm going to investigate.

I may make a garlic order in the fall, too.

About the asparagus, I'm not sure. . ..

Thanks again and all the best.

Bill
tomncath
12 years ago
Very cool Bill, all I can say is Serendipity. IF I had not seen Louie's garden and stopped to talk to him, only a quarter mile from Silvia's subdivision during my sojourn last spring to her swap, would we be here now? He was a newbie and didn't know they wouldn't grow here, and neither did we ;-) I guarantee Cathy will try your recipe if we can find so babies somewhere.

Tom
whgille
12 years ago
Bill - I planted artichoke Imperial Star from Johnny's, 85 days. Also have Green Glove Improved and Purple of Romagna but they are 180-240 days.
I saw them dormant in the gardens of Monticello and a farm that we visited in Italy. They are very easy to grow and I probably try to leave the one where it is and start another one from seed for next year...
And Tom is right, he has good eyes! :)

Silvia
katkin_gw
12 years ago
Those look yummy, I should try them too. Can you get the seeds locally or only mail order?
whgille
12 years ago
Kathy

If you are coming to the party, I will save some seeds for you but if you cannot make it, I will mail them...

Silvia
katkin_gw
12 years ago
Silvia, I sure hope we can come, but as always we have a problem. Our hot tub is leaking and Ralph has to take the waterfall down so the repair man can get to the leak. It is a big job for him to do on his days off. I'll know better after this weekend.
inulover (9A Inverness, Florida)
12 years ago
Am I too late to plant the Imperial Artichokes for this year?
castorp
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, Silvia, for the information on the seeds. I'm guessing the best time to sow them is late-August, early-Sept?

Thanks, Tom, for keeping your eyes peeled.

And thanks to serendipity!

It would be awesome if artichokes will live on as a perennial here.

inulover, I think it is too late. Silvia gave me a seedling in fall. I raised it over fall and winter. It began producing artichokes in March.

Bill
whgille
12 years ago
Kathy - Hope that you and Ralph can come...

Inulover - Bill is right, we have to start them in the fall for a spring crop.

Bill - Next fall, I am going to start the 3 varieties, the imperial and green globe improved are early and the purple is late. Let's see how we do, you have to tell us your secrets about budding .:)

Silvia
westhamutd
12 years ago
I've had a packet of Imperial Star sitting in the seed tin for a while.I might have to give them a try this fall,as it looks like they are worth the effort.The recipe looks superb :)
tomncath
12 years ago
Slightly OT, I have to think the plants could be grown as a perennial ornamental if it is being done at Disney, probably would need shade in the summer though. I'm going to see what happens with my broccoli and veronica this summer....

Tom
whgille
12 years ago
You are probably right Tom, they have them at Disney and let them flower in the fairy garden.

This picture was taken in May last year...

Silvia
tomncath
12 years ago
Beautiful Silvia, I still have some veronica flowering. I just have not figured out where to put these plants. Probably in the front yard, which is shaded somewhat. Only time will tell....

Tom