Artichoke, Green Globe Improved & Purple of Romagna Artichoke Seeds

Variety Info.: Botanical Name: Cynara scolymus Days to Maturity: 150–240 days Family: Asteraceae Native: Mediterranean region Hardiness: Frost-tolerant perennial in USDA zones 7-10 Plant Dimensions: ‘GREEN GLOBE IMPROVED’: 5′ tall, 4′?8′ wide. ‘PURPLE OF ROMAGNA’: 6′ tall, 4′?8′ wide. Variety Information: ‘GREEN GLOBE IMPROVED’: Dark green with slightly purple base. Heavy bearing. Very few spines. ‘PURPLE OF ROMAGNA’: Italian heirloom. More tender and spiny. Smaller buds with oblong shape. Varies from green tinged with purple to mostly purple with green tips.   Sowing Info.: When to Sow Outside: Cold Climates: Not recommended. Mild Climates: Sow in fall for harvest the following spring. When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. Cold Climates: Sow in 4″ pots 12 weeks before your average last spring frost date. Transplant outside 4 weeks before your average last frost date. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70?–80?F. Protect from frost. Mild Climates: Sow in 4″ pots in early fall. Transplant outdoors 6 weeks before your average first frost date. Sow in biodegradable pots to avoid tap root disturbance. Days to Emerge: 14 days Seed Depth: ¼” Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 4′ Row Spacing: 6′ Thinning: Thin to 1 every 4′   Growing Info.: Harvesting: For eating, harvest buds when they are still tightly closed, just before they begin to open (opened heads are tough). Cut the central bud first by cutting the stem with a sharp knife 2″ below the bud. After harvesting, side shoots will produce smaller harvestable buds (a unique delicacy!).