Cardoon

Germination

Sow under glass. Sow into moist well-drained seed compost. Ideal temp. 16°C. Germination takes 14-30 days. Transplant seedlings once large enough to handle to 8cm pots and grow on. Acclimatise and plant out once danger of frost has passed with 150cm spacing.

Growing

Keep well watered until established. Apply a mulch around the stems in May. Weed as required. Feed every 2 weeks if desired.

Cultivation

To harvest remove the largest 'king head' first. Secondary heads should form. Unlikely to produce a harvest in the first year from planting. In late autumn cut down stems and cover the crown of the plant with straw to offer winter protection, remove straw in April.