Artichoke Violet de Provence

Artichoke Violet de Provence is one of the most traditional of European vegetables. This delicious medium sized artichoke develops rich violet-purple headed globes on thistle like plants.

Few dishes are as satisfying to eat as the globe artichoke. Dip the leaves into warm balsamic-bacon dressing and fall in love with a little thistle!

Cultivation:

• Keep the plants well watered until established. Apply a mulch around the stems in December.
• During the summer months hoe regularly and apply a liquid fertiliser at fortnightly intervals.
• Water thoroughly when the weather is dry.
• In late autumn cut down the stems and cover the crowns with leaves or straw in cooler regions
• Remove this protective covering in October

Harvesting:
Artichokes come in different sizes: baby, medium, and jumbo. All three sizes grow on the same plant. The jumbo grows on the centre stalk, the medium grow on the sides, and the babies at the base. They are not merely immature globes. The globes are harvested before the blossoms open to ensure the best flavour.

The size of a mature artichoke is dependent upon its placement on the plant. Those at the top can be enormous while those at the base, shaded by dense leaves, may grow no larger than a ping-pong ball.

As soon as the petals begin to open, they are overripe, no matter the size. After harvesting the main head, secondary heads will appear and these too can be used. Expected yield per mature plant: 10 to 12 heads. Productive life: 4 years

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