Ha! Yeah, that was my lame attempt at an April Fool’s joke. Been there, done that, we won’t be having anymore babies of the human form at our house. But we are having babies, just ones that will go really good in a dip, or chopped up and placed on a pizza. Yeah, we have artichoke babies!
Last week I was very excited when I noticed that I was finally starting to get artichokes on my plants. That excitement quickly dwindled when my husband ruined it by calling them something inappropriate. Still, now it’s fun to go check on the plants regularly to watch their progress.
I started these plants almost two years ago from seed. These are ‘Globe’ artichokes, and I actually never thought I’d be successful at starting them from seed. I started 6seeds, but only 5 successfully germinated. The first year they stayed in one gallon pots, and I put them into the ground late summer of last year. The four that I put in the front yard are doing great, but the one in the backyard is struggling. In the fall they all looked shabby. I have since learned that most people cut them way back at that point (I didn’t). Come winter we had a really hard frost that I was positive was going to wipe them out. For some odd reason when I checked on them in the morning they looked even better than they did the day before- quite perky, actually.
They have continued to do well this spring, and all I really do to care for them is a weekly (errr…mostly weekly…okay…it’s whenever I feel like it) feeding of fish emulsion and sea kelp. I have been told by several people that they are heavy feeders and heavy drinkers- so I’m doing my best to keep them happy, organically. Now that we have a pet rabbit I’ve been sprinkling some of her “droppings” around the plants too.
I planted the artichokes right on the front corner of our lot- next to the street. Whenever I’m out working in the yard I have people ask me what those funky looking blue plants are. They look at me funny when I say they are artichokes. Some folks seem to like them, but my more vocal neighbors do not (oh too bad- guess you’re not getting any). Up until now my husband has HATED where they are at. He thinks they look like weeds. Perhaps if I was a better “designer” I could have designed that section a little better so they don’t look like weeds, but oh well, right now they will have to mingle with some Loropetalum and California Poppies until I can figure out a better place for them. Now my husband is excited about them, mostly because he wants to eat them. And I do too!
Last week I was very excited when I noticed that I was finally starting to get artichokes on my plants. That excitement quickly dwindled when my husband ruined it by calling them something inappropriate. Still, now it’s fun to go check on the plants regularly to watch their progress.
I started these plants almost two years ago from seed. These are ‘Globe’ artichokes, and I actually never thought I’d be successful at starting them from seed. I started 6seeds, but only 5 successfully germinated. The first year they stayed in one gallon pots, and I put them into the ground late summer of last year. The four that I put in the front yard are doing great, but the one in the backyard is struggling. In the fall they all looked shabby. I have since learned that most people cut them way back at that point (I didn’t). Come winter we had a really hard frost that I was positive was going to wipe them out. For some odd reason when I checked on them in the morning they looked even better than they did the day before- quite perky, actually.
They have continued to do well this spring, and all I really do to care for them is a weekly (errr…mostly weekly…okay…it’s whenever I feel like it) feeding of fish emulsion and sea kelp. I have been told by several people that they are heavy feeders and heavy drinkers- so I’m doing my best to keep them happy, organically. Now that we have a pet rabbit I’ve been sprinkling some of her “droppings” around the plants too.
I planted the artichokes right on the front corner of our lot- next to the street. Whenever I’m out working in the yard I have people ask me what those funky looking blue plants are. They look at me funny when I say they are artichokes. Some folks seem to like them, but my more vocal neighbors do not (oh too bad- guess you’re not getting any). Up until now my husband has HATED where they are at. He thinks they look like weeds. Perhaps if I was a better “designer” I could have designed that section a little better so they don’t look like weeds, but oh well, right now they will have to mingle with some Loropetalum and California Poppies until I can figure out a better place for them. Now my husband is excited about them, mostly because he wants to eat them. And I do too!
You about gave me a heart attack with that one! Awesome lookin' arties though.
ReplyDeleteThey look great! I thought either you were having spring fever or your new bunny had been taken advantage of! Rabbitts multiply in great force! The Artie-Chokies look great! Thats what my lil one calls em!
ReplyDeleteWhat an odd-looking plant. I don't think I've ever seen one in person.
ReplyDelete