Im 7b too and i used to plant chokes out every year as a companion crop in my garlic beds.
I would start from seed in plug trays then go to 3.5" pots then out to the field.
Ive used all the common varieties and they all produced good first season crops although the Green Globe was hard to beat.
2 Likes
That’s about what I’ve done and they are also in a bed lined with garlic, so I’ll dare to hope
Should work out. I used to grow a lot more garlic than I do now. Having a dozen or so 600’ beds next to each other made it easy to place small blocks of plants here and there.
For me the main concern with chokes and what prompted me to start doing this was observing the native thistles in my fallow fields that were absolutely covered black with aphids. I was pleasantly surprised to not find any aphids on my chokes.
Problem with garlic, of course, is that rotation is a must so I was never able to try for 2nd year cropping since the garlic moved on, then the voles and aphids moved in…
1 Like
Interesting. Thank you for sharing your experience. I’ll keep this in mind as I change things up in the future.
Hi there,
This winter, we transplanted our Opera artichoke plants in a bigger redwood container with lots of compost, well drained soil and a 2-3" layer of woodchips to prevent the water from evaporating too much. They have been thriving and the first two artichokes we harvested were healthy and delicious. Unfortunately, the following 2 harvests have been very disappointing as the artichokes seemed to be rotted when I harvested them. The first time I noticed brown petals on top but the last time, they looked just fine until I cut the spiky tops of the petals only to discover the brown rot inside once again. The plants themselves look fine, very vigorous and happy-looking. What am I doing wrong? Is this a pest, a watering issue, something else?
Thank you for your precious gardening advice 
I am thinking this may be a water related issue.
I am not by any means an Artichoke expert but i can say that when it comes to water and the related nutrient exchange, its far better to have a lighter soil texture than a heavier one when it comes to avoiding disasters.
Im not sure but i think that the commercial growing area in coastal CA may be in sandy type soils.
My chokes do very well in sandy loam with no other amendments other than fert at planting then a thick layer of leaf mulch on top. I have also used wood
chips/shavings which work fine too. I dont, however, water my chokes. The garlic beds they are in are non irrigated and so are they.
1 Like
Thank you for your precious feedback! I am also wondering if this is a water-related issue. I might be overwatering. I also think I have watered from from the top a few times (straight into the flowers) thinking it might be a bug issue and trying to remove them this way. I will let the bed go dryer for a while and see what happens 
I forgot to mention that we have a very sandy soil in the artichoke container. The water should drain fairly well. I think I have been overwatering really.
We went away for a few days and came back to see this 
We’re pretty excited! Last year artichoke experiment was fruitless. Green globe for the win. Looks like there are many little chokes forming all around both plants. How do you know when to pick/before it’s going to flower? (I know that’s not now)
2 Likes
I’m exited that I have some flowers on my purple artichokes this year. I dont have current picture, but perhaps tomorrow I will remember to take some!
Green Globe is a good one! It always developed the best size and gave us the most first year chokes.
The terminal choke, the first one on the main stem, will be the biggest of the season. All others form from lateral branches.
When to harvest just comes with experience as different varieties will be different. Green Globe forms a nice tight choke, leaves stay tight to the choke. When you see leaves pulling away then harvest. Ideally just before that point is best. You can also squeeze them. They should still be firm at harvest. A hollow feel means they are forming their flower parts.
Harvest too early: no flavor
Harvest to late: good flavor but not good consistency.
1 Like
Great, thank you so much for the tips.
It looks like 5 days later was too long? I noticed it opening maybe 3 days ago but it was so small…should I leave the central one at this point to flower or maybe still good to eat? Pick the tinier side ones now?
I would harvest those and try them. Depending on the weather chokes can be like Lemon cucumbers. One day they are under ripe the next day, over ripe.
Leaving them to flower, however will cut into the plants responce to produce more babies.
We used to sell the small ones, even very small ones, at the farmers market as “baby gourmet” chokes. We even charged more for them. They work well when prepared and consumed whole. I think you will find recipes specific to them online.
2 Likes
Thanks for the advice! We’re headed out to get them and the garlic now.
1 Like
Does anyone have any variety recommendations based upon taste?
I’m looking for a green variety. I think I am too hot for the purple varieties to be purple.
Take a pic fully open, please. My daughter really wanted us to leave our central one to flower, but we picked everything that was ready (little) because I want to harvest more. They were delicious! There are 7 more already growing fast in the biggest plant. Next year, I’ll let one plant flower…
1 Like
I grew artichokes for years in Milwaukee (zone 5). I had to dig up the roots and over winter them in the basement. I stopped growing them because they use up alot of room for a few chokes, and i had a small garden area. Grew globe and purple something. Globe was better. Was pretty easy to grow.
3 Likes
I’m just waiting for it to happen! Checking every day! I planted the artichokes all along the front sidewalk, hoping for s tunnel giant purple flowers!
Artichoke is alright to me in terms of food, but I want to see those huge purps!