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Growing Violet Star Artichoke in the Vegetable Garden

Start Violet Star artichoke seeds indoors in late winter or early spring, about 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost. Sow seeds 0.25 inch deep in a light, well-drained seed-starting mix, keeping soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Warm conditions around 70-85 F encourage germination, which may take 10-21 days. Provide bright light so seedlings develop sturdy stems rather than growing leggy.

Transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed and soil has warmed. Space plants 24-36 inches apart in rows 36-60 inches apart to give each plant room to form a wide clump. Choose a sunny site with deep, fertile, well-drained soil and mix in compost or aged manure before planting. Artichokes are heavy feeders, so side-dress with a balanced fertilizer or compost every 3-4 weeks during active growth. Water deeply and regularly, especially in warm, dry conditions, and mulch to conserve moisture and keep roots cool.

Harvesting of Violet Star Artichoke

Harvest Violet Star buds when they have swelled, but the scales are still tightly closed. For main buds, this is typically when they reach about 3-4 inches across. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut the bud with 1-2 inches of stem attached. Side buds will be smaller but just as flavorful.

Check plants frequently during peak season so buds do not open into thistle-like purple flowers, which signals they are past their best eating stage. After the main central bud is harvested, secondary shoots often produce additional buds. In mild climates, well-mulched plants can continue to yield for several seasons.

About Violet Star Artichoke Garden Seeds

Violet Star is an heirloom globe artichoke prized for its rich purple-tinged buds and tender, creamy-textured hearts. The large, rounded globes have a sweet, nutty flavor that shines when steamed, grilled, or roasted, and the plants themselves make a bold architectural statement in beds and borders.

As a perennial in warmer zones, Violet Star returns each year with bigger clumps and more buds, rewarding gardeners who give it a sunny, well-prepared spot and regular feeding. Its combination of gourmet quality, ornamental beauty, and heat and drought tolerance makes it a standout choice for home gardens and small farms looking to grow something special.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"Give Violet Star a deep, fertile bed and plenty of elbow room. Feed regularly, water deeply, and harvest buds while tight for the sweetest, most tender hearts. In colder regions, mulch crowns well to help plants overwinter."

- Jerry Sawyer, True Leaf Market Writer

Violet Star Artichoke Seeds Per Package:

• 1 g Packet - Approximately 23 Seeds
• 0.25 oz - Bulk - Approximately 158 Seeds
• 1 oz - Bulk - Approximately 630 Seeds
• 4 oz - Bulk - Approximately 2,520 Seeds
• 1 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 10,080 Seeds
• 5 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 50,400 Seeds
• 25 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 252,000 Seeds

Non-GMO Violet Star Artichoke seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.