How to Grow Globe Artichoke: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Transplant 3–4 weeks before the frost-free date so plants receive chilling to initiate flower stalks (USU). Start seeds early — about 2–3 months to transplant size. Space about 18 inches in the row; rows 2–3 feet (USU). Harvest buds full size before bracts open. Not cardoon or Jerusalem artichoke.

Globe artichoke at a glance

PlantStart indoors: 16–12 wk before last frost; Transplant: 4–3 wk before last frost
SunFull sun; fertile, well-drained soil with organic matter.
WaterWater about 1–2 inches per week (USU).
SpacingUSU: about 18 inches in the row; rows 2–3 feet.
Days to harvest100-150 (UC Master Gardener Program)
-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Updated

Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Not cardoon or Jerusalem artichoke. Globe artichoke is Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus — keep it on its own page.

Globe artichoke plant
Globe artichoke. Photo: Jebulon, Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (resized).

Planting timing

USU: “Artichoke should be planted 3–4 weeks before the frost-free date” so plants receive chilling to initiate flower stalks. “If planted too late, plants do not get the required chilling, therefore, plants will not flower.” Start seeds early; about 2–3 months to transplant size. (USU artichoke) Planner: Transplant last frost −4 to −3; Start indoors last frost −16 to −12 (derived from USU 2–3 months to transplantable size plus the transplant window).

Depth and spacing

USU: about 18 inches in the row; rows 2–3 feet. Plastic mulch can accelerate early growth.

Sun, soil and water

Full sun; fertile, well-drained soil with organic matter. Water about 1–2 inches per week (USU). Frost/freeze sensitive if overwintering — heavy mulch or dig and store (USU). Prefer compost and a soil test; we omit printed synthetic N rates.

Harvest

Harvest buds at full size before the bracts open; late July through frost in USU guidance. Many planning tables list about 100–150 days. Each stalk may carry about 3–5 buds (USU).

Pests and diseases

Aphids (USU); plume moth, snails/slugs (UC); root rot, Botrytis, aphid-vectored viruses. Aphids: insecticidal soap or a strong water stream (USU). Drainage for root rot. Slug cultural controls or iron phosphate as the label directs.

Related: ZIP planner · organic pest control · all grow guides · jerusalem artichoke · cardoon

Frequently asked questions

When do I transplant globe artichoke?

About 3–4 weeks before the frost-free date (USU). Start indoors about −16 to −12.

Why no buds?

Insufficient chilling — planted too late (USU).

Globe vs Jerusalem artichoke?

Different species.

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources