ARTICHOKE-GROS VERT DE LAON

Description

ARTICHOKE-GROS VERT DE LAON

ARTICHOKE-GROS VERT DE LAON – A traditional Heirloom French globe artichoke producing the largest hearts of any artichoke. A perennial vegetable that yields huge deep green heads with faint purple tints and solid hearts. The plants are long-lived and low-maintenance. Silver-green foliage and clusters of big heads create an intriguing look when grown in the ornamental garden. The fleshy part of the petals and meaty heart are what we can eat. The buds are generally cut when 6-10cm wide. Vigorous and prolific plants, to 1.8m (6ft) first year from seed but usually better if cut back in autumn and overwintered for a second year

Cultivation Advice For ARTICHOKE-GROS VERT DE LAON

· Sow undercover with warmth provided from late winter to early spring 2-3cm deep 2 seeds per pot.

Thin to the strongest seedling. Plant out after all danger of frost has passed, 1m apart, when plants reach 15cm.

· Can be sown directly outside into soil April to June (when the air temperature is above 15°C) sow 3-5cm deep. (best started in pots)

· Harvest April to July in the second season.

· When harvesting the artichoke if there are no secondary heads left, snap the stem off at the base;

if there are secondary heads on the stem, cut off the terminal bud together with a short length of stem as this will stimulate secondary shoots which may yield a second crop.

· In late autumn cut the plants back just above ground level and mulch to protect the crown over winter.