Harvesting globe artichokes in November

While the rest of the allotment harvest is swiftly moving into winter territory - I havested my first brussels sprouts and cereriac at the weekend and the leeks and cavolo nero have been on stream for a while now - I found three good-sized globe artichokes growing happily, despite a couple of reasonably heavy recent frosts that cut down the last of the dahlias.

I harvested them there are then, and made Antonio Carluccio's recipe for sweet and sour artichokes, which is very tasty.

But artichokes in mid-November? Isn't that a bit late? Or is anyone else in a similar climate to me (SE England) still enjoying a 'choke harvest?

Comments

[Mel]

It's amazingly mild all over. I'd say we're at least a month behind where we should be. This time last year we had snow here, but now you can still go out of doors for long periods without a coat on. Will this last, and we'll have a mild winter? Or will we pay for it with a bitterly cold snap soon that nobody will be ready for?

[The County Clerk]

Could you write a bit about growing artichokes? I think I may want to try. (I'm in a colder climate than you are... maybe... Chicago USA.)

Hank

[Leslie]

This is my first year of successful artichoke growing (SE NEW England)and I am pleased to learn that they can stay out after the dahlias are down. I covered mine up nearly a month ago in the hopes of a successful overwinter of the crop. Hank, they'll break your heart, but you'll keep going back year after year. I had a terrible time with Imperial Star and switched to Green Globe and had better luck. And yes it has been amazingly mild here too.

[Gnome]

Jane, I have some good specimens which I have not harvested in the belief that I should cut and discard the first seasons produce in favour of subsequent fruit. Am I right or am I wrong ?

[Jane Perrone]

Well, yes, in an ideal world you should. But I can't bear to see good food go to waste so I harvest them young in the first year before the choke is formed and roast them with garlic and olive oil ...

[Eric fairchild]

I cut a green globe artichoke around 14 December 2006. This is definitely the latest crop I've had. I used it in a flower display so can't vouch for its eating quality.

Re cultivation, its best to give the plants a little cover through the hardest months of winter - a cloche will do the job. Mostly, they survive. Propagation is by root division. I always cut the heads in the first year which I think is preferable to allowing the heads to produce seeds. It is often advised to replant every 3 or 4 years. Some of mine have been going strong for 15 years with no sign of them becoming tired. I do occasionally thin the base of the plants - discards make the root divisions.

Regarding Green Globe, I have always grown from seed. I must say that the resulting plants vary considerably one from an other. All are edible - thank goodness!

cheers

eric