Cardoon in Zone 7a & 7b
Cynara cardunculus
Yes, cardoon grows in zones 7a and 7b. Start seeds indoors Feb 20–Feb 27 and plant out Apr 24–May 1.
When to plant cardoon in zone 7b
Zones 7a and 7b 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 20–Feb 27 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 24–May 1 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 22–Aug 29 (~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 7b
These go outside within two weeks of cardoon in zone 7b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoApr 24–May 1
- Bush BeansApr 17–Apr 24
- Sweet CornApr 17–Apr 24
- CucumberApr 17–Apr 24
- ZucchiniApr 17–Apr 24
- Winter SquashApr 17–Apr 24
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 7's season
Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. Cardoon needs about 120 days from transplant to first harvest.
Cardoon planting windows in every zone
Zone 7b 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 (your zone) | 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 | 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)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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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 7b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Cardoon in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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