Indoors, if youre starting seeds for your garden, its time to
start cardoon and artichoke seeds. Theyre both large plants and
both may be used for food, although many of us grow cardoon more
for its ornamental value. Cardoon grows large, no more than
about a yard tall, but with silvery leaves arching out four to
five feet in length. The large, usually prickly-leaved plant
contrasts nicely with green and red foliage in your ornamental
garden or food garden. It is a popular food in the Mediterranean
area, folks harvesting the leaves, tearing off the outsides of
the leaves and using only the midrib, removing the strings
similar to celery strings, then simmering or steaming sections
of that midrib until tender. These cut pieces will darken unless
treated with lemon juice or quickly dropped into cold water.
They taste, Im told, similar to that of artichokes. They should
be grown quickly, so that means with a nitrogen boost. Most
instructions Ive seen advise waiting until September, then
harvesting cardoon. Some ad