Good moring, Diane, Are you referring to Globe Artichokes? Did you grow them from seed? This is our 3rd year with the same plants, getting ready for round two of 'chokes. We actually let one of the big ones bloom, this year, and what a gorgeous flower! If, in fact, you are referring to artichokes, I plan to divide ours in November, before they go dormant. Would that wokr for you in MA? We have not yet divided ours, and our original 2 plants keep dying back and multiplying, and we now have about 14. Ron Van Nuys, CA