Last year was my first year for growing artichokes. I got mine from a woman who told me that they overwinter here, and get bigger every year.
Even with our cold summer, my little slip got to be 3 feet in diameter, and about as tall. I got 4 chokes off of it, which I gave to my daughter. They were small.
I made the mistake of putting it in a deer-safe bed, wasting precious room in my garden. I've pulled it to put it outside the fence, since the deer are reputed not to eat it. (Take a look at the spines on the leaves, like thistle, a close relative)
I expect to grow others next year, because I'm too busy with tomatoes this year.
I believe that the same is true for artichokes as for strawberries: expect your second year crop to be much better.
hth
j
|