Artichoke in Zone 4a & 4b
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
Yes, artichoke grows in zones 4a and 4b. Start seeds indoors Mar 6–Mar 13 and plant out Apr 24–May 1.
When to plant artichoke in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b 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 | Mar 6–Mar 13 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 24–May 1 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 28–Aug 4 (~95 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: about 5 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 3-4 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 4b
These go outside within two weeks of artichoke in zone 4b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionApr 24–May 1
- RadishApr 17–Apr 24
- CarrotApr 24–May 1
- CabbageMay 1–May 8
- LettuceMay 1–May 8
- BeetApr 24–May 1
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 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Artichoke needs about 95 days from transplant to first harvest.
Artichoke planting windows in every zone
Zone 4b 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 (your zone) | 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 | 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 →
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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 4b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Artichoke in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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