Globe artichoke
Cynara cardunculus Scolymus Group
A vegetable, planted at any time of year, or sown February to May.
In September: nothing to do. It can be planted now. Wear gloves to harvest: some varieties have spines.
Add globe artichoke to my plot
Your first month is free. No card. Then £4.99 a month or £39.99 a year. You sign in with a link we email you, with no password.
Globe artichoke, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none |
| Sow outdoors. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Plant out. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none |
| Plant a pot-grown globe artichoke. | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual |
| Plant a bare-root globe artichoke. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Mulch the globe artichoke. | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Lift and divide the globe artichoke. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Cut the globe artichoke heads. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual |
| Cut down the faded globe artichoke leaves and lay them over the crown. | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Handle it with care
Wear gloves to harvest: some varieties have spines.
Weaker source: UMass Amherst, New England Vegetable Management Guide (outside the UK).
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover February to April, 2cm deep. Strong source: RHS.
Sow outdoors March to May, 1.5cm deep, 75 to 90cm apart. Strong sources: RHS and Mr Fothergill’s.
Plant out May to June, 75 to 90cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant a pot-grown globe artichoke at any time of year, 75 to 90cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant a bare-root globe artichoke March to May, 90cm apart. Moderate source: Garden Organic.
Mulch the globe artichoke
Cover the surrounding soil to hold in moisture and cut down on watering.
Usually February to May. Strong source: RHS.
Lift and divide the globe artichoke
Every 4 to 5 years, not every year.
Usually March to May. Strong source: RHS.
Cut the globe artichoke heads
Wait until its second summer in the ground.
Usually June to August. Strong source: RHS.
Cut down the faded globe artichoke leaves and lay them over the crown
In colder areas, add a thick mulch of straw, bracken or garden compost for extra insulation.
Usually October to November. Strong source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.Weaker: a blog, a forum, a small website or a page from outside the UK. Treat it as a guide.
Add globe artichoke to my plot
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Globe artichoke” comes from.