Cardoon in Zone 10a & 10b
Cynara cardunculus
Yes, cardoon grows in zones 10a and 10b. Start seeds indoors Dec 12–Dec 19 and plant out Feb 13–Feb 20.
When to plant cardoon 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.
| Start indoors | Dec 12–Dec 19 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 13–Feb 20 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 13–Jun 20 (~120 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 3-4 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 10b
These go outside within two weeks of cardoon in zone 10b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoFeb–Apr
- Sweet CornFeb–Mar
- CucumberFeb–Apr
- ZucchiniFeb–Mar
- BroccoliniJan 30–Feb 6
- Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)Jan 30–Feb 6
Cardoon is a close relative of the globe artichoke already covered on this site, but instead of harvesting a flower bud, it's grown for its thick, blanched leaf stalks, a classic Mediterranean vegetable most American gardeners have never grown.
How cardoon fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Cardoon needs about 120 days from transplant to first harvest.
Cardoon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7a & 7b | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | Aug 22–Aug 29 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 4–Feb 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Aug 6–Aug 13 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Jun 29–Jul 6 |
| 10a & 10b (your zone) | Dec 12–Dec 19 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Jun 13–Jun 20 |
Harvest dates are about 120 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for cardoon.
Where to buy cardoon seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's cardoon seeds)
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing cardoon" 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 →
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Growing Cardoon in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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