When to Plant Artichokes in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Also called globe artichoke.

Sow now in Cool Temperate Soil 18.6°C, best 15–20°C. Ready, but warm. Sow soon.

Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Melbourne), not a live sensor.

What this month normally looks like in Cool Temperate

In October the Cool Temperate zone normally runs 19°C by day and 8°C overnight, with about 67 mm of rain over 9 or 10 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -3.0°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 28 postcodes, SILO.

Jump to section
  1. Planting calendar
  2. How to grow
  3. Local tips and varieties
  4. Pests and problems
  5. Harvesting
  6. Storing and preserving
  7. Other zones and related crops
  8. Common questions

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This Artichokes 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.

Planting window
Aug to Nov
Days to harvest
about 52 weeks
Sun
Full sun
Water
Regular
Spacing
100 cm apart
Soil pH
6.5–7.5

Globe artichokes are large, thistle-like perennials originating from the Mediterranean. They produce edible flower buds over a 4-5 year productive lifespan.

Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

Artichokes

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Planting Calendar for Cool Temperate

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

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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How to Grow Artichokes in Cool Temperate Australia

Soil
Well-drained, deep, fertile sandy loam enriched with compost and aged manure
Salt
Moderately tolerant. Handles slightly salty water better than most veggies.
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.
Good companions
Sunflower, French tarragon
Keep away from
Other Asteraceae competing for nutrients

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Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Artichokes

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

Pests and problems for Artichokes in Cool Temperate

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Browse the full pest library →

Harvesting Artichokes

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.

Storing and preserving artichokes

How to keep it
  • Freezing. Trim artichokes, remove tough outer leaves and choke. Cut into quarters or leave baby artichokes whole. Blanch in boiling water with lemon juice for 3-5 minutes (depending on size). Ice bath immediately. Drain well, pat dry, spread on tray to flash-freeze, then transfer to freezer bags. Keeps: 6-8 months.
  • Marinated in Oil (Antipasto Style). Trim and quarter artichoke hearts. Simmer in a mix of 2 parts white wine vinegar, 1 part water with salt for 5 minutes. Drain well and pack into sterilised jars with garlic, herbs (oregano, thyme), peppercorns. Cover completely with olive oil. Seal and refrigerate. Keeps: 3-4 weeks refrigerated. For longer storage, process sealed jars in boiling water bath for 15 minutes (6-12 months shelf stable)..
  • Pickled. Prepare artichoke hearts. Bring 500ml white vinegar, 500ml water, 2 tbsp salt and 1 tbsp sugar to boil. Pack hearts into hot sterilised jars, pour over hot brine, leaving 1cm headspace. Process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Keeps: 12 months sealed in cool dark place.

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What members get

  • Soil and weather from your nearest station
  • An email when it's time to sow
  • Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
  • Price history and price alerts
  • Pest risk alerts for your area
  • Full salt and canning detail

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Common Questions About Artichokes

When do you plant artichokes in Australia?

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

Can you grow artichokes all year round in Melbourne?

No. In the Cool Temperate zone the planting months are Aug to Nov. 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.

When should I plant Artichokes in Melbourne?

Plant suckers or divisions in spring for a small first crop and a full crop the following year. Plants raised from seed usually will not bud until their second year.

What soil temperature do Artichokes need?

Artichokes germinate best when soil temperature is between 15°C and 20°C.

How do I know when Artichokes are ready to harvest?

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.

What are the best Artichokes varieties for Melbourne?

Recommended varieties for the Cool Temperate zone include: Green Globe, Violetto di Romagna, Purple de Jesi, Romanesco.

What grows well with Artichokes?

Good companion plants for Artichokes include: Sunflower, French tarragon.

Are artichokes salt tolerant?

Fairly. Artichokes are moderately tolerant of salt and handle slightly salty water better than most veggies.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it 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.