Are cardoons easy to grow?
Cardoons prefer cooler weather – a range of about 12°C-18°C is ideal. Consequentially I find they make very good shade plants, or can be grown in quite wet soil as long as they have open sun. They are very easy to grow from seed. Sow them in pots in March or April and by late summer you will have superb plants.
How big does cardoon grow?
Cardoons are gorgeous plants. In climates with cold winters, like my Pennsylvania garden, a full-size cardoon will reach about three or four feet in height with an equal spread, but in warmer climes, its stature is even more massive—cardoons will grow up to five feet high and wide. A very striking plant indeed!
What is a cardoon seed?
A culinary specialty originating in the Mediterranean, cardoon is related to the globe artichoke but is cultivated for its artichoke-flavored leaf stems rather than flower buds. The plant’s ribs are blanched before harvest to protect the edible, innermost stalks from light and promote tenderness.
How long does cardoon take to grow?
Four to six weeks after blanching, cardoons are ready for harvest.
How long do cardoon seeds take to germinate?
6 weeks
Start cardoon from seed indoors 6 weeks before transplanting. Cardoon seed germinates best at 75°F (24°C). Cardoon will be ready for harvest about 120 days after planting.
Do cardoons come back every year?
Cardoons are normally perennial in USDA zones 7b to 10, and are grown as an annual in climates above that. The Crdoon vegetable is grown for its fresh leaf stalks; these are blanched and are then normally eaten like celery.
How do you start cardoon seeds?
Starting Seeds Indoors Plant cardoon seeds about a 1/4 inch deep and cover lightly. Keep the seeds moist until germination, then gradually increase the amount of water as the plant grows. Transplant when the seedlings are between 4-6 inches tall. Cardoons germinate best at about 70°F to 75°F.
Is cardoon a perennial?
Cardoon is still cultivated for food in southern Europe and northwestern Africa. This fast-growing herbaceous perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae) is native to the western and central Mediterranean where it was domesticated in ancient times.
How to grow cardoons?
Choose a location for growing cardoons that has a well-drained soil and is rich in organic matter. It is advisable to prepare the beds used for growing Cardoons two to three weeks in advance with aged compost or decayed manure. Cardoon prefers a soil with an almost neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Where can I find cardoons?
The plant is usually available in the market during winter months only; in the United States, cardoons can be found in some specialist stores but are mostly found at farmer’s markets. Cardoons at the market by Phil Whitehouse.
How long does it take for cardoon seeds to sprout?
The plant is expected to start sprouting in 6 to 12 days time, and is ready for transplant two to three weeks after germination. Preferably transplant cardoons during mid-spring, well after the last frost.
What are the best companion plants for cardoons?
Some of the finest companion plants for cardoons are perennial vegetables that include asparagus, but avoid planting with vines or root vegetables. Cardoon vegetable leaves, photograph by Edsel Little; CC.