If they overwinter in your climate, all artichokes should bear the second year. To get them the first year, you have to grow "Imperial Star" the only variety which really yields as an annual. I have read that the variety "Emerald" has some tendency to bear the first year, but is not nearly as consistent or reliable. And, the plants have to be VERNALIZED when they are in the 6 to 8 leaf stage. To do this, they have to have about 500 hours of temps under 50 degrees. The easiest way to do this is to grow them in small pots to the 6 leaf stage, and then put them in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. I've found, actually, that about 2 weeks is really enough to make it work, and they start going downhill and getting really yellow if I leave them longer. You can also put the plants outside after the 6 leaf stage if your climate allows -- cold, under 50 degrees, but not freezing.

lscully02 said: "Mine's only 6-8" tall out of the container..." Make sure the container is large enough for your plant. If the pot is too small, the plant will become root bound and not grow properly. Some folks use 3 gallon, but most use 5 gallon or larger. Also, feed regularly and be sure it gets plenty of sun. Good Luck. Rick

Thanks everyone, sorry for the late response. I have been out of wi-fi range for a few days. Ah!! Warm fuzzies n bunnies. Woohooman, I had most of my peppers started pretty early, main issue was the learning curve, I replanted some due to lack of sun and some I planted in inadequate soil others were just late additions in the name of learning, now I know what areas get ample sun and have a good idea of what soils to use. Growing em is as addictive as eating them, maybe not the best for my OCD ;-) dj

Today is April 11, 2014. I was in my backyard yesterday admiring the approach of spring. My burgundy plum and elberta peach are blooming. My shinko and hosui asian pears are almost at the blooming stage. My moorpark apricot trees are also starting to produce blooms. My hardy kiwis should bust out soon, since the buds are swelling. My fuzzy kiwis are still dormant, but I see they survived the winter and the buds are swelling. I tried to overwinter six artichoke plants by covering the plants with leaves after the first frost and then convering the pile of leaves with a piece of plastic, a garbage can lid, two tubs, a 5 gallon bucket, and a large pot. I have six plants so one makeshift cover per plant. After such a cold winter in Northern Virginia, I was not very hopeful of a successful saving of the plants. I took the make shift covers off of the plants on three days ago and today I noticed one of the plants has started to sprout leaves. Now even that plant has wilted. I hope all survive because this will tell me how Thomas Jefferson must have raised artichokes in Northern Virginia. I will post pictures later when/if the plants grow. My hansen bush cherries, stella cherry tree and fuyu persimmons have still not bloomed. My angel red and Russion pomegranites may not have survived; they look dead. This post was edited by CharlieBoring on Fri, Apr 11, 14 at 12:43