Artichoke in Zone 10a & 10b
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
Yes, artichoke grows in zones 10a and 10b. Start seeds indoors in Aug–Dec and plant out in Oct–Feb. For a fall crop, start seeds indoors in Aug–Dec and plant out in Oct–Feb.
When to plant artichoke in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Window | Fall window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Aug–Dec |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Oct–Feb |
| Estimated harvest | ~95 days after transplanting |
Spacing: about 5 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 3-4 ft.
Zone 10b dates sourced from growinginthegarden.com.
Fall window: the last sowing date is the average first frost minus days to maturity, the method in Purdue Extension's fall garden guide, which lists artichoke for late-summer planting.
Plant alongside it in zone 10b
These go outside within two weeks of artichoke in zone 10b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionOct–Jan
- GarlicOct–Nov
- NasturtiumOct–Jan
- DillOct–Jan
- Black-Eyed SusanOct–Mar
- Chamomile (German)Oct–Mar
Artichoke is grown for its unopened flower bud, harvested before the purple thistle-flower inside ever gets the chance to open. It's a perennial in mild-winter climates and an annual everywhere else, and either way it needs garden space. This isn't a plant for a tight square-foot grid.
How artichoke fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Artichoke goes in during the fall and grows through the winter, so it isn't limited by this window: expect first harvest about 95 days after planting.
Artichoke planting windows in every zone
Zone 10b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a & 4b | Mar 6–Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 1 | Jul 28–Aug 4 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | Jul 23–Jul 30 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 14–Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | Jul 8–Jul 15 |
| 7a & 7b | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | Jun 23–Jun 30 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 14–Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | Jun 7–Jun 14 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 7–Dec 14 | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Apr 30–May 7 |
| 10a & 10bFall window (your zone) | Aug–Dec | Oct–Feb | ~95 days after transplanting |
| 11a & 11b | Oct 23–Oct 30 | Dec 11–Dec 18 | Mar 16–Mar 23 |
Harvest dates are about 95 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for artichoke.
Where to buy artichoke seeds
Botanical Interests · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's artichoke seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- 'Imperial Star': Bred specifically to bud reliably as a first-year annual, which is the whole problem with growing artichoke outside zones 7-10. Buy: True Leaf Market · Burpee Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing artichoke" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Artichoke in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest