Artichoke Revival

Way back in April, the “Instant Artichoke” post was quite optimistic. After all, the plants had been in the ground for only a month or so and we soon were to harvest our first artichoke.
Two were harvested within a couple weeks but we’ve seen nary a bud during the past 3 months. The second plant (in the back) has yet to produce one at all.

I have no idea whether this is normal or not for first year plants as we aren’t exactly overrun with artichoke farms here in north Georgia.

The plants have been perking up since the weather cooled a bit so I have to believe the heat may have been our issue.

The back plant is growing nicely but as I mentioned above, I’ve yet to see a bud develop. The front plant is doing the same or possibly a little better; here is a recent shot (with tarragon sharing the bed):

Wait, what’s that?

An artichoke?

Why yes it is…. 🙂

Bottom line I do think the brutal early heat wave we endured this summer stifled growth. The “micro climate” variations in my yard are odd due to shadows and heat catching fence back drops at different times of the day and the spots where the artichokes are planted may be even hotter. I know I’m pushing it trying to grow these here; I’ll be curious to see how the cooler fall season treats them.

That’s all, just wondering out loud.

Carry on…