Every West coast road tripper has seen the artichoke growing fields off Highway 1. What an incredible edible ! These plants are native to the Mediterranean area and are adapted to our cool Coastal climate. They don't do well in areas with hot summers or cold winters.

Most artichokes are grown from the dormant division of a rootstock. They may be available at nurseries or from vegetable mail order catalogs. When you decide to plant one be sure the soil is amended with organic matter as this will assure repeated productivity . The plant will bear buds, the edible part, usually within two years. If you leave the buds on the plant they will flower revealing a purple blossom. So don't forget to harvest just as the scales begin to lift from the bud. After the plant has finished bearing in Spring clean up any dead leaves and leave the root undisturbed. Mature plants produce many new whorls of leaves from the enlarged root. You may also fertilize with a high nitrogen fertilizer while plant rests.

We really enjoy eating the globes steamed but also suggest trying this yummy recipe .