Non-GMO Romagna Globe Artichoke Seeds - Purple Vegetable Seeds for Planting | Perfect for Home Gardens, Organic Farming & Culinary Use

Product Description

A perennial vegetable plant that requires shelter in winter. Bush 60-80" (150-200 cm) high. The flowers are large, 4-6" (10-15 cm) in diameter, violet-green in color. Harvesting is carried out before flowering, starting from the second year. Inflorescences with part of the peduncle are used for food.Planting instructions: It takes some work and a lot of patience to grow artichokes from seed, but it’s worth the effort. Soak seeds 24 hours before plating. Artichokes require good soil, regular watering and feeding, plus frost protection in winter. Before frost, cut back to 15 cm (6″) tall and mulch with soil, straw or leaves to keep the root from freezing. Uncover in April. Offshoots of these plants should be set out in the spring. Season: Cool season. Exposure: Zone: 6-9 (hardy in Zone 5 if you use mulch and cloche cover). Start indoors in late January to early February under bright lights. Sow 2 seeds per pot. Keep moist in a warm place until seeds germinate in 10 to 21 days. Transplant seedlings into the garden 2 weeks after the last average frost date for your area. Artichokes need a cool period (250 hours) below 10°C (50°F) to induce flowering, but will not survive hard frost. Space plants 1 m (3′) apart. Seeds can also be germinated between damp sheets of paper towel. Ideal pH: 5.6-6.6. Select a sunny, sheltered location with well-draining soil. On the coast, with protective mulch, these plants may overwinter. In late October cut back to 15 cm (6″) tall, and mulch well with straw, soil, leaves, or burlap, to keep the roots from freezing. Uncover in April.