Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Grow globe artichokes from seed, sow them mid February and not yet!. See how their growth can be surprisingly rapid, for harvests in the first summer, depending on your climate.
In this video I show why this method works so well using the no dig approach. When sown in mid-February and planted early, artichokes can crop in their first summer, even though they are perennial plants.
These are Gros Vert de Laon, an old French variety, and I demonstrate sowing in modules, potting on, spacing, planting into a no dig bed, and finally harvesting. Growing from seed gives healthy, vigorous plants, with some natural variation in size and timing.
You’ll see how seed-grown artichokes establish quickly, tolerate dry conditions, and perform well when planted early. I also share practical tips on compost use, spacing, frost tolerance, and harvesting, based on my own experience.
These are Gros Vert de Laon, and they are perennial.
Find them in my February seed pack by Premier Seeds Direct: premierseedsdirect.com/product/charles-dowding-january-february-collection
Growing globe artichokes from seed removes worries about overwintering plants and suits many climates, with small adjustments depending on where you garden.
🎥 Filmed February to July 2025. by Carly Dutton-Edwards
🎵 Music: Rory Dunwoodie, @rorydinwoodiemusic IG: rorydinwoodiemusic
You can join this channel by paying a monthly fee, to support our work with helping gardeners grow better, and to receive monthly videos made only for members: youtube.com/channel/UCB1J6siDdmhwah7q0O2WJBg/join
#artichoke #growfromseed #nodiggardening #charlesdowding #vegetablegardening
#growyourownfood #artichokes #nodig
00:00 Introduction - sowing seeds or growing from crowns
00:40 Sowing from seed in module tray, Gros Vert de Laon variety
02:49 Potting on before transplanting
03:22 Transplant timings depending on variety
03:45 Night-time warmth for germination
04:58 Four weeks later - uneven germination
05:28 Potting on
06:57 Germination on hotbed
07:17 Potting on from a cell with two seedlings
08:07 Firming compost depending on the type of tray/pot
09:28 Compost type for potting on
10:39 Early April, seven weeks from seed, ready to transplant
12:00 Spacing
14:01 Positioning of perennials
14:42 I demonstrate how to transplant
16:48 Three months since transplanting, harvesting tips
20:11 Potential for a second harvest
20:45 Managing plants - removing lower leaves and watering
21:34 Outro summary
Grow globe artichokes from seed, sow them mid February and not yet!. See how their growth can be surprisingly rapid, for harvests in the first summer, depending on your climate.
In this video I show why this method works so well using the no dig approach. When sown in mid-February and planted early, artichokes can crop in their first summer, even though they are perennial plants.
These are Gros Vert de Laon, an old French variety, and I demonstrate sowing in modules, potting on, spacing, planting into a no dig bed, and finally harvesting. Growing from seed gives healthy, vigorous plants, with some natural variation in size and timing.
You’ll see how seed-grown artichokes establish quickly, tolerate dry conditions, and perform well when planted early. I also share practical tips on compost use, spacing, frost tolerance, and harvesting, based on my own experience.
These are Gros Vert de Laon, and they are perennial.
Find them in my February seed pack by Premier Seeds Direct: premierseedsdirect.com/product/charles-dowding-january-february-collection
Growing globe artichokes from seed removes worries about overwintering plants and suits many climates, with small adjustments depending on where you garden.
🎥 Filmed February to July 2025. by Carly Dutton-Edwards
🎵 Music: Rory Dunwoodie, @rorydinwoodiemusic IG: rorydinwoodiemusic
You can join this channel by paying a monthly fee, to support our work with helping gardeners grow better, and to receive monthly videos made only for members: youtube.com/channel/UCB1J6siDdmhwah7q0O2WJBg/join
#artichoke #growfromseed #nodiggardening #charlesdowding #vegetablegardening
#growyourownfood #artichokes #nodig
00:00 Introduction - sowing seeds or growing from crowns
00:40 Sowing from seed in module tray, Gros Vert de Laon variety
02:49 Potting on before transplanting
03:22 Transplant timings depending on variety
03:45 Night-time warmth for germination
04:58 Four weeks later - uneven germination
05:28 Potting on
06:57 Germination on hotbed
07:17 Potting on from a cell with two seedlings
08:07 Firming compost depending on the type of tray/pot
09:28 Compost type for potting on
10:39 Early April, seven weeks from seed, ready to transplant
12:00 Spacing
14:01 Positioning of perennials
14:42 I demonstrate how to transplant
16:48 Three months since transplanting, harvesting tips
20:11 Potential for a second harvest
20:45 Managing plants - removing lower leaves and watering
21:34 Outro summary
