Cardoon is a distinctive heirloom vegetable in the artichoke family celebrated for its tall, silvery stalks and artichoke-like flavour. This cool-season crop can reach up to 2 metres in height, thriving best in full sun and well-drained soil. For optimal taste, cardoon stalks are often blanched before harvest, a process that involves wrapping or shading the stems for 3-4 weeks to reduce bitterness and achieve a milder flavour. Ideal for planting in early spring or autumn, Cardoon can be enjoyed as a culinary ingredient or a striking focal point in your edible garden. Artichoke-like violet purple flowers are also eaten in some cultures.
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General information:
Cardoon
Cynara cardunculus
Cardoon is a tender perennial, related to globe artichokes, typically grown as an annual for its young leaf stalks.
Sow seeds in trays and transplant outdoors after 4–6 weeks.
Plant seeds at a depth about three times their diameter.
Ideal soil temperature for germination: 13°C to 25°C.
Space plants 50–150 cm apart for optimal growth.
Cardoons are ready to harvest in 34–35 weeks.
For tender stalks, cardoon requires blanching before harvest. Use either of these methods:
Bunch and Wrap: Tie the leaves together in a bunch, then wrap paper or sacking around the stems.
Hilling: Form a mound of soil around the stem to keep it shaded.
After four to six weeks of blanching, the stems are ready. Cut them at ground level, removing the outer leaves for a clean harvest.
| Plant space cm: | 90 |
| Row space cm: | 50-150 |
| Depth cm: | 0.5-1 |
| Best soil temp: | 13-25 °C |
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| Number of seeds per gram: | |
| Average days to maturity: | 245 |
Companion Planting
Try these plants as good neighbours for Carrots
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restrictions for this seed.
W.A. CustomersDue to quarantine restrictions in W.A. there is a 10,000 seeds limit per each variety.
Cardoon seed count is . Please stay under this 10,000 seeds limit when ordering seeds as we will have to reduce or remove it from your order. If you have any queries on ordering large quantities please phone us on (07) 5533 1177.
TAS CustomersDue to quarantine restrictions in TAS there is an 800g limit per each seed variety.
Please stay under this 800g limit when ordering seeds as we will have to reduce or remove it from your order.
