fruit · transplant · advanced
Globe Artichoke: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating globe artichoke a few times a week needs about 15 plants in ~180 sq ft, worth about $68 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$3.00/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 4 | ~48 sq ft | ~5 | ~$18 |
| 2 people | 8 | ~96 sq ft | ~10 | ~$36 |
| 4 people | 15 | ~180 sq ft | ~19 | ~$68 |
| 6 people | 23 | ~276 sq ft | ~29 | ~$104 |
Spacing
36" in row · 48" between rows
Sow depth
0.5"
Days to harvest
85 from transplant (100 from seed)
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Apr 17 – May 22 | — |
| Zone 4 | Apr 12 – May 17 | — |
| Zone 5 | Apr 2 – May 7 | — |
| Zone 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 27 | — |
| Zone 7 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 | — |
| Zone 8 | Feb 25 – Apr 1 | — |
| Zone 9 | Jan 23 – Feb 27 | — |
| Zone 10 | Jan 3 – Feb 7 | — |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Buds tight, heavy, and squeaky when squeezed, 3 to 5 inches across. Cut before any bracts start to open.
Don't wait: Opening bracts turn the heart tough; a purple bloom is pretty but past eating.
Yield
About 1.5 lbs per plant over ~6 productive weeks (~1.5 lb).
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
47 kcal · 5.4 g fiber · 11.7 mg vitamin C · 370 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Artichoke, globe planting questions
How many globe artichoke plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 4 plants per person. A family of 4 needs about 15 plants, which takes around 180 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does globe artichoke need?+
Space plants 36" apart in the row with 48" between rows. Sow 0.5" deep. Start indoors, transplant out.
When should I plant globe artichoke?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing globe artichoke worth it?+
At about $3.00/lb retail and ~1.5 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $68 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.