How to Design a Kitchen Garden With Artichokes

Lay out the garden along a southern exposure since it will provide the most constant and direct sunlight throughout the day, which is essential to the health and wellbeing of artichoke plants.

Measure out a planting site for each artichoke plant near the center of the bed. Use a measuring tape to make sure each site offers 4 square-feet of space for each artichoke. Mark the corners of each site with wooden stakes.

Amend each planting site with a 4-inch-thick layer of compost to improve the drainage and nutrient content of the soil. Work the compost into the soil to a depth of 6 inches using a cultivating fork.

Plant an artichoke in each prepared planting site before continuing with the kitchen garden design since it will provide a solid foundation for the rest of the project. Water the artichokes thoroughly before proceeding.

Plant tall vegetables such as corn, amaranth, trellised peas and cucumbers behind the artichoke plants to prevent them from obstructing the sunlight artichokes require to thrive. Plant the vegetables at least 12 to 16 inches away from the base of the artichokes.

Plant low-growing vegetables and herbs such as tomatoes, basil and eggplants along the front and sides of the artichoke plants. Avoid planting squash or other trailing annuals too close to the base of the artichoke plants since they are heavy feeders and can potentially out-compete the artichokes for nutrients.

Add an ornamental element to the kitchen garden by planting annuals or herbaceous perennials with purplish-colored blooms around the base of the artichokes since they will complement their grayish or silvery foliage.