Are yours still in the ground? I read somewhere that they should be lifted and stored in sand, but is there really any need? They are so prolific that a few lost to slugs wouldn't matter, and they don't seem to mind the frost?
The adavntages of digging them out are... easier to get from sand than frozen soil, and if a lot are left in you will get weedier crops next time.. :)
I'm with saddad. I didn't dig mine up last year and this year had a huge crop of marbles. I've moved them and will be digging them up every year from now on!
Mine disappeared completely when I didn't dig them all up. I must be the only person in the world who has killed off their artichokes!
I agree you should clear the JA bed but don't forget to keep the best ones as seed tubers to put back in for next year's crop.
I have a problem because my artichokes have been in the same place for three years and this year they are bigger than last year.
I did dig most up but made sure that some were left in the ground and they did very well. I like digging them up from frozen.
Bill
Quote from: Bill Door on January 05, 2009, 20:02:19
I have a problem because my artichokes have been in the same place for three years and this year they are bigger than last year.
Bill
Why is that a problem? Should they be rotated?
Don't move them around whatever you do or they'll come up like weeds everywhere! Much better to keep them confined in one place year after year, preferably somewhere where they won't overshadow plants that need sun.
As long as you do get most of them out they will Bill... :)
Am giving up on mine this year, the local badgers seem to think of them as a delicacy.
If anyone has any ideas on how to stop them though....
When you think you've got rid of them all, some always seem to pop up again. Not much help, I know! If all else fails, you could admit defeat and make some delicious soup. Nigel Slater has a recipe here (plus one for beetroot):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jan/04/slater-beetroot-artichoke-soup-recipe
I hope Hopalong you mean the artichokes for soup not Coznbob's badgers!
Quote from: coznbob on January 08, 2009, 09:38:27
Am giving up on mine this year, the local badgers seem to think of them as a delicacy.
If anyone has any ideas on how to stop them though....
what about placing some sturdy link fencing or a old steel grate of some kind over the crop that could be removed by you but could also be pined down securely till you are ready to reap the crop ???. just a thought.