Cardoon Seeds - Large Smooth

Cynara cardunculus HEIRLOOM. This unusual vegetable is a Mediterranean delicacy! It's closely related to the artichoke, but is grown for its thick, edible leaf stalks, which have a distinctive flavor and can be eaten in soups or sauted. It is perennial in zones 7-10, though it does best in areas with long, mild summers, as high heat will cause it to develop bitter flavors. Stalks will require blanching (wrapping in fabric or paper to keep light off of them) for the last four weeks before harvest, to develop the creamy color and delicate texture this vegetable is known for. Cardoon should be sowed indoors 8 weeks before its outdoor transplant date, which is ideally 2 weeks after your last frost date. Plant in full sun in rich, well drained soil. Plants grow large, so allow them a good four feet between plants! Stalks will be ready to harvest in 115 days. 1 gram packet contains approximately 20 seeds.