How to Grow Cardoons

Soil & Growing Conditions

Soil pH range

5.5 7

Span reflects genuine variation between the cited authorities, not a single agreed figure.

Growth Stages

Stage	BBCH	Notes
Sowing and raising young plants	0	Start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting, 2-3 seeds 1/4in deep per cell, germinating at 70-80°F (Johnny's Selected Seeds).
Transplanting and establishment	1	Transplant 2-3ft apart in rows 3-6ft apart, in full sun, sheltered from strong wind, in well-drained fertile soil (Johnny's Selected Seeds, RHS).
Leafy growth and blanching	4	For the mildest flavour, blanch the leaf stalks for the last 4-6 weeks before harvest by tying the leaves and wrapping the stems in paper, cloth or similar to exclude light; check frequently, as plants are more prone to rotting while blanched (Johnny's Selected Seeds).
Harvest	8	Ready to harvest 4-6 weeks after blanching begins; cut stalks off at ground level and trim away the leaves (Johnny's Selected Seeds).

Quick Facts

Factor	Value
Soil pH	5.5 - 7
Sunlight	6-6 hours direct sun
Optimal growing temp	14-28°C
Minimum survivable temp	-10°C
Drainage	Well-drained
Lifecycle	perennial
Edible parts	leaf stalks (petioles)

At a Glance

Harvest & Storage

When to pick: NC State: "The young, emerging leaf stalks are blanched, harvested, cooked, and eaten as a vegetable." RHS: cut down flower stems as they emerge in summer if growing it as a foliage/blanching plant rather than for flowers.

Storage

Best used fresh soon after blanching and harvest

Diseases

Grey mould

Botrytis cinerea

Soft brown fruit decay; Fuzzy grey-brown mould

Powdery mildew

Pests

Aphids

Aphididae (various spp.)

Slugs

Gastropoda (slugs, various spp.)

Snails

Gastropoda (snails, various spp.)

Sources

1. FAO EcoCrop - Cynara cardunculus data sheet
2. GBIF - GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Cynara cardunculus
3. Johnny's Selected Seeds - Growing Cardoon: How to Plant, Grow & Care For

   Fertile, well-drained soil, full sun, sheltered from strong winds, pH 6.5-7.0. Start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting, 2-3 seeds 1/4in deep per cell, germinating at 70-80°F with moist soil. Transplant 2-3ft apart in rows 3-6ft apart. Blanch stems about a month before harvest by tying leaves together and wrapping stems in paper or cloth (or burlap/cardboard/weed-barrier fabric over twine-bunched leaves) to exclude light; check frequently during blanching as plants are more prone to rotting. Ready to harvest 4-6 weeks after blanching begins; cut stalks off at ground level and trim away leaves.

These 3 sources are specific to this region. The full list of 9 sources behind this guide (FAO EcoCrop, GBIF, Johnny's Selected Seeds and others) is in the references of our UK guide to cardoons; they describe the plant itself, which is the same wherever it grows.