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When Do You Harvest Artichoke?

Artichokes (Cynara scolymus ), a type of thistle, produce edible flower buds on top 3- to 6-foot tall stalks. These perennial vegetables, which grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9, can produce for up to 15 years when properly cared for, although they are most productive for only three or four years. Harvesting at the right time increases plant productivity and may result in a second flush of buds.

  1. Production Period

    • Artichokes usually don't flower the first year after planting, so they aren't harvested until the second year. This gives the perennial vegetable time to establish a healthy root system in the garden so it can remain productive for many years. Harvest usually begins in midsummer at the onset of flowering, although in cooler regions, flowering may not occur until late summer. A second production period may occur in fall in areas with no fall frost, if the buds are all harvested during summer and none are left to flower.

    Signs of Maturity

    • Each artichoke bud consists of layers of green bracts, similar to petals. Mature buds are usually similar in size to an apple or tennis ball. The bracts begin to spread as the bud approaches maturity. Harvest these buds as the bract tips loosen and begin to lift from the bud, but before they open completely and flower. Check the artichokes daily after the buds begin to form and harvest them promptly as they reach the desired stage of development.

    Harvest Method

    • Proper cutting results in better storage for the artichoke bud and doesn't damage the plant, allowing it to remain healthy and productive. Once the bud is fully formed but before it opens, cut the stem beneath the bud with a sharp, clean knife. Leave 2 to 3 inches of the stem attached to the artichoke bud when cutting it. The artichoke plant still requires regular watering of 1 inch of water weekly, so it can continue to grow and possibly produce a second crop. Cut back the entire plant to the ground after harvest, after it begins to die back naturally in the fall.

    Storage and Use

    • Artichoke buds, when properly harvested at the right time, store for up to one week in the refrigerator. Placing them in a perforated plastic produce bag and keeping them in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator helps them maintain quality. Only the artichoke hearts, or the fleshy center of the bud, freeze well. When using an artichoke, remove the fibrous flowering portion from the center. The fibrous portion is surrounded by the heart, the primary edible portion of the bud. The fleshy section near the base of the outer bracts is also edible.

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