When to Plant Artichokes (Globe) in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Sow August to December. Right now in September you can sow.

Also called globe artichoke.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Artichokes (Globe) guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Artichokes (Globe)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Globe artichokes are large, thistle-like perennials originating from the Mediterranean. They produce edible flower buds over a 4-5 year productive lifespan. Best suited to temperate and Mediterranean climates in Australia; they struggle in tropical heat and high humidity.

Planting Calendar for Cool Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - - S S S/T/D S/T/D T

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 13.1°C (optimal range: 15–20°C) ✗ Outside optimal range

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Melbourne), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Artichokes (Globe) in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Plant suckers or divisions in March-April or September-October. Seed sown in spring will crop the following year. Harvest November-January.

Soil
Well-drained, deep, fertile sandy loam enriched with compost and aged manure
pH Range
6.5-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun (minimum 6 hours direct)
Spacing
100cm apart, 150cm between rows
Watering
Deep watering twice weekly during bud development. Reduce in winter dormancy. Consistent moisture is critical during bud formation or buds will be small and tough.

Companion plants: Sunflower, Tarragon, Peas, Cabbage family

Avoid planting near: Other Asteraceae competing for nutrients

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Artichokes (Globe)

Recommended Varieties

  • Green Globe
  • Violetto di Romagna
  • Purple de Jesi
  • Romanesco

Key Challenges

  • Late frost damage to emerging buds
  • Slug and snail pressure in winter

Pro Tips

  • Protect crowns with heavy mulch over winter (straw or lucerne, 15cm deep)
  • Remove frost-damaged buds promptly to prevent botrytis entry
  • This is the ideal climate for artichokes, they thrive here

Harvesting Artichokes (Globe)

When ready: Buds should be tight, compact, and heavy for their size. Bracts (scales) should still be tightly closed. The main central bud is harvested first at about 8-10cm diameter, which promotes development of smaller side buds.

How to harvest: Cut stem 5-8cm below the bud with sharp secateurs. Harvest in the morning. Once bracts start to open or turn purple at tips, the bud is past prime and will be tough and fibrous.

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

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Common Questions About Artichokes (Globe)

When do you plant artichokes in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does artichokes grow all year round in Melbourne?

No. In the Cool Temperate zone the planting months are Aug to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

What else is artichokes called?

Artichokes is the usual Australian name. Overseas seed packets and recipes call it globe artichoke. Same plant, same growing advice.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.