J
Vegetables
Cardoon
Cynara cardunculus var. altilis
A relative of the artichoke grown for its blanched leaf stalks in winter; typical of Piedmont and Navarre.
- Light
- Full sun (6 h or more)
- Height
- 1.2–1.5 m
- Watering
- Moderate: 2–3 times a week in summer
- Soil
- fertile, rich in organic matter; loose and well-drained
- Edible?
- Yes: the white stem
- How to plant
- Sow direct undefined cm deep; leave 1 m between plants.
- Care
- Three or four weeks before harvest, tie up the leaves and wrap them in cardboard or straw to blanch.
Calendar by climate
Warm coast
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mild Mediterranean
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Southern interior
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Continental interior
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Cold interior and uplands
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Atlantic
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Canary Islands (subtropical)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SowPlantHarvestPruneFeedTreat
Dates are for growing outdoors, based on the local climate. In a greenhouse or tunnel everything comes earlier.
Feeding and doses
Mild Mediterranean
- Well-rotted manureMar4–6 kg / m²
- Organic granular fertiliserJul50–80 g / m²
Pest prevention and doses
Mild Mediterranean
- AphidsPotassium soap · Jun10–20 ml / L
Approximate doses: always follow the product label. Spray in the evening, never in full sun or on flowers visited by bees. No sulphur above 30 °C.
How easy to grow by climate
- Warm coastNeeds regular careToo warm a climate
- Mild MediterraneanEasy
- Southern interiorNeeds regular careExtreme summer heat
- Continental interiorNeeds regular careFrost and a short season
- Cold interior and uplandsDifficultHard, long frosts
- AtlanticNeeds regular careRain and humidity: fungal disease
- Canary Islands (subtropical)DifficultNo winter chill
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