Cardoon is a unique delicacy, especially in traditional Italian and French cuisine! This cousin of the artichoke is native to the Mediterranean and grows eye-catching 4" buds with 2" violet-purple flowers on elegant 3" to 4-1/2" tall stalks. The unique artichoke-and-celery-like flavor of Cardoon is delicious breaded, fried, raw, pickled, sauteed in pastas, braised in gratins, or in mixed in soups and stews. Once popular in Greek, Roman, and Persian cuisine, Cardoon has since spread in popularity across Europe and America today. This perennial plant is resilient and adaptable to many climates and soil conditions. Embrace the culinary and aesthetic allure of Cardoon by growing this unique plant in your very own garden! Also Known As: Artichoke Thistle, Wild Artichoke, Thistle Cardoon, Cardone, Cardi, Cardoni, Cardon, Cardo, Globe Artichoke Thistle, Artichaut Sauvage, Gros Chardon, Grosella de Cardo, Desert Artichoke, European Cardoon, Globe Artichoke, Scotch Thistle. Plant Name: Artichoke_Cardoon Latin Name: Cynara cardunculus Days to Germinate: 7-14 Days to Harvest: 120-150 Plant Height: 3 - 5 Feet Spread: 2 - 4 Feet Bloom Diameter: 2 Inches Growth Habit: Upright USDA Zones: 4-11, Perennial 7-11 Lifespan: Annual, Perennial in Zones 7-10 Brand: TomorrowSeeds Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade Pollination: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated GMO: No Fungicide-Treated Seeds*: No Seeds Packed For**: 2026 *Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds. **Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates. Planting Instructions: Soil Preparation: Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth. Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 5 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage. Planting: Starting Indoors: For an earlier cardoon harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 8-10 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when the soil temperature is above 55F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying roots in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting. Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant in spring when the soil warms to at least 50F. For fall crops, direct sow seeds outdoors 6-8 weeks before the first frost. In regions with mild winters, cardoon can survive and even continue growing through the cooler months. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 4 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. Planting Depth: 1/4 inch Within-Row Spacing: 4 feet Between-Row Spacing: 5 feet Care During the Season: Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots. Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 3-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Optionally, apply again once buds develop. Water plants after fertilizing. Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions. Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions. Harvesting: Cardoon is ready for harvest when the stalks are large enough to be useful, usually when they reach about 12-18 inches, about 90 to 150 days after planting. The best time to harvest is when the plant has developed thick, tender stalks, but before they become overly fibrous. If you're harvesting cardoon for its edible stalks, carefully cut the outer stems at ground level, leaving the inner stalks to continue growing. To ensure a mild flavor, harvest cardoon in the cooler months, as the taste can become bitter if harvested during hot weather. Optionally, blanch the cardoon by tying the core stalks at the top then wrapping in thick fabric or plastic for 4-5 weeks. This process is said to whiten the colors of the stalks and reduce bitterness. Some gardeners will also remove the flower buds before they open, as this helps improve the flavor and tenderness of the plant.
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