Cardoon

Growing from seed

Start Cardoon indoors about 8 weeks before your last frost, keeping seeds in cooler soil (around 10–18 °C). Seeds usually come up in around 14 days. Move seedlings out once the danger of frost has passed, in full sun, spaced about 90 cm apart. Expect to harvest in roughly 150 days.

Companion Planting

• 
  Coral Bells
  

  Coral BellsExcellent pair

  • ❧Coral Bells attracts Hoverflies, which prey on the Aphids that attack Cardoon
  • ❧Cardoon draws Bees and Bumblebees and more that improve pollination for both
  • ❧Cardoon roots deep while Coral Bells feeds near the surface — no competition
• 
  Wild Garlic
  

  Wild GarlicGreat pair

  • ❧Wild Garlic attracts Hoverflies, which prey on the Aphids that attack Cardoon
  • ❧Cardoon roots deep while Wild Garlic feeds near the surface — no competition
  • ❧Wild Garlic acts as living mulch, keeping soil moist and weeds down around Cardoon
• 
  Foamflower
  Great pair

  • ❧Cardoon draws Bees and Bumblebees and more that improve pollination for both
  • ❧Cardoon roots deep while Foamflower feeds near the surface — no competition
  • ❧Foamflower acts as living mulch, keeping soil moist and weeds down around Cardoon

How to grow Cardoon

1. Sow8 weeks before frost
2. Germinates14 days
3. Space90 cm apart
4. GrowFull sun
5. Harvest~150 days

Water: Medium · Height: 180 cm · Soil: Rich, well-draining, fertile