How to grow Globe Artichoke in Australia
Give this big perennial full sun, deep, fertile soil and plenty of room, around 1m between plants. Water well and feed generously, as hungry, thirsty plants reward you with larger flower buds.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 6 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 100 cm
- Time to harvest: 365 days (about 1 year)
- Time to germinate: 14 days
- Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to May, August and September | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to May, August and September | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to September | Longer window than SEQ. Autumn through early spring. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to September | Extended season. Mediterranean heritage suits Melbourne. Perennial here. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to September | Adelaide's Mediterranean climate is ideal for globe artichokes. A must-grow. |
| Perth & WA | March to September | Perth's Mediterranean climate is perfect for globe artichokes. A signature crop. |
| Tasmania | September to November | Plant suckers or sow Sep to Nov. Reliable perennial here. Mulch crowns after the autumn cutback. |
| Canberra & ACT | August to October | Plant suckers or sow Aug to Oct. Frost kills the tops; mulch crowns heavily and they resprout in spring. |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not viable. Needs cool winters. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not viable. Needs cool winters. |
Varieties
- Green Globe Improved
- Imperial Star
- Violetta di Romagna
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick the buds while plump and tight, before the scales open. Cut the stem a few centimetres below the head, and side buds will keep forming if you harvest regularly.
Storage
Fridge unwrapped for up to 1 week. Hearts preserved in oil for months.