First Seeds of 2016
Yesterday I planted my first garden seeds for this year. What were they? Artichokes.
At 180-240 days these babies take a LONG time to reach maturity. I’ve also read that they appreciate a bit of a cold snap early on to make them think they’ve gone through a winter.
Will I be able to harvest artichokes to eat? I guess we’ll find out this fall. If Eliot Coleman can grow them here in Maine, I think I can as well.
What fund edible are you going to try this year for the first time?
Filed under Around the House, Seed Sowing | Comments (9)
Susy, the fun edible is sweet corn for me and perhaps it will be the first real harvest after trying for four years. Year five might just be the year for the first harvest. I have high hopes with all the layers of protection against the raccoons that I’ll be sinking my teeth into a sweet ear of corn by August.
Have a great artichoke seed starting day.
P.S. The basement lettuce and radishes are ready for tender shoot harvesting. I’m hoping very young radish plants are edible. I guess I’ll find out. It’s been about a month and the radish plants are about 3 inches high with the lettuce not far behind.
to Nebraska Dave's comment
I started asparagus seeds in the fall and planted them in the ground a few weeks ago. I’m excited to try them out!
to Misti's comment
I’ve grown artichokes successfully here in Colorado for several years now and getting an early start is the key to getting a useful crop.
I’ve also been growing ginger and selling it locally; this year’s new crop is turmeric!
to Kathy's comment
Artichokes
Alpine strawberries from seed
Onions from seed
I am so excited!
to TR's comment
Where did your winter go? Can’t believe that planting time has come around again.
to Margie's comment
Artichokes are usually the first thing I plant as well. I have read a few places of folks getting artichokes through the winter by treating them like bulbs (i..e cut off the foliage and store them humid in sawdust or the like). I am trying this method this winter but I looked at the plants the other day and I don’t have a lot of confidence that it will work. Does anyone else have a method. Second and third year plants will be much more productive.
to Brian MacDonald's comment
You’ve inspired me to try growing artichokes as well. I’d be very excited if I’m able to get a decent yield.
to Andres's comment
I have not attempted artichokes yet here in Michigan, but it’s one of those things I intend to try eventually. Not doing much seed starting this year since we’re moving right at planting time, so I’ll have to make do with direct-sown veggies and purchased transplants. It’s kind of driving me crazy — this is the first February in almost fifteen years now where I haven’t had at least something under my grow lights.
So, of course, now I’m living vicariously through garden blogs. :)
to Colleen's comment
We had great success with Artichokes on the WestCoast. Now we have relocated to Nova Scotia and thought that we would try to repeat the results out here where it is a wee bit chillier.
The good news is that they did fabulous! Last year was a filled with pretty dismal Summer weather but the Artichokes persevered and we had a fabulous harvest.
Our gamble this year will be the most adorable little Cucamelons.
to Xennie's comment