Although I'm bummed about my pumpkin failure, there has been some good news in the garden recently: my artichokes have come back from the dead!
A couple of months ago, both artichoke plants withered up and disappeared. Neither one had ever gotten particularly big, but I was surprised to lose them both, especially since I had been dutifully watering them throughout the summer. I've never grown artichokes before, but I know they are perennials, so I assumed there would always be some leaves showing while the plant was alive.
Perhaps I was wrong, because, a couple of weeks ago, new leaves sprouted up from the ground where one of my two artichokes had been. Then, last week, leaves appeared at the other location. Both plants have suddenly revived themselves and started growing again.
I'm not sure if this is part of the typical growing cycle of an artichoke, or if I just got lucky and the plants decided to give me a second chance. Either way, I'm hopeful they'll keep growing this time and that we'll be eating homegrown artichokes this Spring.
It's typical. But every time mine die back, I swear this is the end---I've finally killed them. Then lo and behold, up they come again.
The roots were just waiting for better weather, I guess.
Maybe you'll be able to carve an artichoke...
Have a great day! :)
our artichoke didn't come back from last year, maybe it is too cold here in new york or maybe i gave up on it too soon. this year we planted two new ones but only one produced four artichokes. the second plant looks healthy but never showed any sign of producing. i am going to try to overwinter again this year with hopefully more luck. i hope you get some artichokes on your plant because, man oh man, they taste extra special when they are home grown!
I actually cut mine down to the ground after harvesting the last artichoke and they come back the next year. My neighbors - master gardeners that they are - are more timely about harvesting and cutting (I tend to leave one on to bloom) and they can get nearly a continuous supply or artichokes. The very first one I grew from seed seemed to take two years before I got an artichoke - but now the seeds that come up from the old blossom heads that my kids shake around the yard come up right away - go figure.