Cardoon in Zone 9a & 9b
Cynara cardunculus
Yes, cardoon grows in zones 9a and 9b. Start seeds indoors Dec 28–Jan 4 and plant out Mar 1–Mar 8.
When to plant cardoon in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 28–Jan 4 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 1–Mar 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 29–Jul 6 (~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 9b
These go outside within two weeks of cardoon in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoMar 1–Mar 8
- Bush BeansFeb 22–Mar 1
- Sweet CornFeb 22–Mar 1
- CucumberFeb 22–Mar 1
- ZucchiniFeb 22–Mar 1
- Winter SquashFeb 22–Mar 1
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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Cardoon needs about 120 days from transplant to first harvest.
Cardoon planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b 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 (your zone) | 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 →
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 cardoon" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Cardoon in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest