[gardeners] Artichokes
asidv@ktc.com (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Sat, 17 Jan 1998 10:35:44 +0000
Mother has been wanting to try artichokes from seed. I've never done
it....have always figured the only places they'd actually produce
edible fruit is California-type climates. Fredericksburg, Texas is
USDA 8a; soil is highly alkaline and thin. No problem with humidity
and reasonable amount of rainfall. *Very* hot summers....but dry and
cool at night. Freezes are never deep. Winter is counted in days, not
even weeks when it comes down to it, so I figure a deep mulch would
protect over winter.
Nobody grows them locally, but I'm learning that is not always an
good indicator. The palette of things that do really well here is
narrow, but not as narrow as people tend to think, I'm becoming
convinced. Either that, or I am trying to talk myself into thinking
that a soil pH of 7.8 is really not so horrible if I end up moving
here to live year round!
Suggestions, admonitions, warnings, and advice appreciated.
Catharine, normally in Atlanta; visiting in Texas Hill Country.