Cardoon
How to sow cardoon successfully under cover?
To grow cardoons successfully under cover, it is essential to sow the seeds in individual cups filled with quality potting soil. Choose deep cups to allow the roots to develop. The best time to sow cardoons is in spring, around March. Make sure the temperature in the greenhouse remains constant and ideally between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius to encourage the seeds to germinate.
It's important to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Monitor soil moisture regularly and water sparingly. Once the cardoon plants have reached a sufficient size, they can be transplanted into the ground, spacing them about 80 cm apart. Be sure to protect them from late frosts when transplanting by covering them with a forcing veil if necessary.
By following these simple tips, you'll be able to grow beautiful, tasty cardoons to garnish your dishes and enjoy their delicate flavour in your recipes.
How do I sow cardoons outdoors?
To sow cardoons outdoors, it is advisable to do so in spring, when there is no risk of frost. Prepare the soil by working it deeply, adding compost or well-decomposed manure to enrich the soil naturally.
Create furrows about 60 cm apart and sow the cardoon seeds 1 to 2 cm deep. Lightly cover the seeds with fine soil and pack lightly. Water regularly to keep the soil moist, but be careful not to over-wet to prevent the seeds from rotting.
It's important to keep weeds at bay by hoeing regularly between cardoon plants. Maintain a distance of around 60cm between each plant to allow them to develop properly.
Watch out for attacks by pests such as slugs and aphids, however, and opt for natural solutions to keep them at bay, without using chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
How to harvest cardoons
Cardoons are harvested in autumn, after the first frosts. To harvest cardoons, simply cut the stalks at the base with a sharp knife. Be sure to remove the leaves, leaving only the stalks. Cardoons keep very well in a cool, dry place, such as a cellar, for several weeks.
Cardoon
- Type : Perennial vegetables
- Subtype : Leafy vegetables
- Botanical Family : Asteraceae (composites)
Characteristics
- Lifecycle : Perennial
- Exposure : Full Sun
- Frost Hardiness : Slightly Frost Sensitive
- Cultivation Difficulty : Easy
- Adult Height : 150 cm
Sowing & Planting
- Greenhouse Growing : Recommended
- Sowing Depth : 2 cm
- Plant Spacing : 30 cm
- Row Spacing : 60 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Moderate
- Water Requirements : Moderate
Seeds
- Soil Type : Humus-rich
- Soil pH Preference : Neutral
- Pest Sensitivity : Moderate
- Disease Sensitivity : Moderate
- Weed Sensitivity : Moderate
- Pollination : Insect-pollinated
- Propagation : Sowing