Artichokes – sowing seeds indoors

Trying to grow artichokes this year.

While flipping through the Vesey’s Seeds catalogue last month, I found myself interested in the section on artichokes. I’ve never been an artichoke fan, but I bought a couple of them from the supermarket in December to make a dip with Parmesan cheese and been hooked ever since.

They’re not normally one of the cheapest veggies in the store around here, though. Yet, they’re very popular in many parts of the world.

Here’s a neat fact: in April 2013, the artichoke was officially dubbed California’s official vegetable. It’s a pretty neat veggie. From the thistle family, artichokes are low fat and contain anti-oxidants that help lower cholesterol and digestion. They look weird and somewhat intimidating; however, I found a lot of great information and recipes on the California Artichoke Advisory Board web site. I always thought that artichokes are one of those “high maintenance” veggies that are time consuming to prepare, but the more I learn about them, the more I like them.

I bought a packet of seeds from Vesey’s and since we just got another foot of snow meaning that spring is delayed again, I thought it’d be a good time to sow the seeds indoors. According to the seed packet, artichokes must be started indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Well, it's still frosty out there, so it’s a good thing that I’m sowing them today.

Biodegradable pots, soilless mixture, plant tray, seeds and water.

I usually have some soilless, pre-mixed potting mix in a plastic tote in the basement ready for days like this. Found my watering can, a plastic tray and some biodegradable fiber pots that will be planted directly into the ground when the plants are big enough to live in the garden. The pots will get very moist and break apart underground as the plant’s roots grow. Artichokes don’t like their roots disturbed, so these types of pots are the best.

 

Gave each pot of mixture a good soak of water and then let it sit for a few minutes while the liquid drained out the hole at the bottom of the pot. Placed one seed (that out of focus dot) in the pot center, filled the pot with more potting mixture (about an inch) and watered it again.
 

That out of focus dot in the center is the seed.

 

I planted 12 seeds and still have another six in the package, just in case some of these fail to germinate.

Planted and ready to be covered.

They fit snugly in a planting tray that I covered with plastic food wrap, as the clear plastic dome that I’d normally use with the tray isn’t tall enough to completely cover the pots. The idea is to keep the mixture moist and warm until the seeds germinate (sprout). Sometimes, I’ll use a clear plastic bag and secure it with a rubber band or twist tie.

Covered with plastic wrap to keep them toasty warm.

The tray is in a basement room near the wood stove and not in direct sunlight. The room is normally between 18-22C, so that’s an ideal temperature for the seeds to germinate.

I’m conducting an experiment by keeping one pot upstairs wrapped in a plastic bag. I’m curious to see which pot will have the first plant poke its way toward the light. I have no idea how long they will take to germinate or if they will grow, but that’s part of the learning process.

Clear plastic bag locks in moisture and warmth.

Each year, I plan to try to grow something I’ve never tried and see what happens. For now, I guess I’ve officially started my gardening season, even though the snow is up to my waist on some areas of our yard.

Nevertheless, today’s snowfall isn’t getting me down; I’m in planting mode, baby!