Artichoke in Zone 6a & 6b
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
Yes, artichoke grows in zones 6a and 6b. Start seeds indoors Feb 14–Feb 21 and plant out Apr 4–Apr 11.
When to plant artichoke in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b 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 | Feb 14–Feb 21 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 4–Apr 11 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 8–Jul 15 (~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 6b
These go outside within two weeks of artichoke in zone 6b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionApr 4–Apr 11
- RadishMar 28–Apr 4
- CarrotApr 4–Apr 11
- CabbageApr 11–Apr 18
- LettuceApr 11–Apr 18
- BeetApr 4–Apr 11
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 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Artichoke needs about 95 days from transplant to first harvest.
Artichoke planting windows in every zone
Zone 6b 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 (your zone) | 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 6b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Artichoke in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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