So You Think You Can Grow Artichokes In Florida?

Shinsuke Agehara of UF/IFAS holding an artichoke in the middle of a Central Florida farm plot

Shinsuke Agehara, a UF/IFAS Assistant Professor of Horticultural sciences, believes he can grow artichokes in Florida, despite the crop’s need for a cooler environment.
Photo courtesy of UF/IFAS

Despite 99% of the nation’s artichokes being grown in the cooler, drier confines of California, one University of Florida researcher is determined to make the highly nutritious vegetable a viable alternative crop for the Sunshine State.

Shinsuke Agehara, a UF/IFAS Assistant Professor of Horticultural Sciences based at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Balm, recently received a nearly $90,000 federal grant to study how to establish an artichoke system for Florida growers.

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Artichokes flourish in a cool environment and generally require at least 250 cumulative hours below 50°F for bud formation. Therefore, flowering must be artificially induced to produce artichokes in Florida.

Agehara tried to grow artichokes in fields at the GCREC last winter. To overcome the chilling requirements, he treated young plants with gibberellic acid, a plant hormone that can induce the expression of the same genes activated by cold weather. This treatment artificially induced bud formation and produced beautiful artichoke buds in early spring. He’s going to continue to study this hormone treatment and other management practices to improve the productivity of artichokes this winter.

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Are artichokes a viable alternative crop for Florida growers?

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Agehara is interested in trying to help Florida farmers grow artichokes because small growers want alternative crops that are attractive and profitable. The retail price of an artichoke can be up to $5, and each plant can produce several buds, he said. Thus, the production value of artichokes is very high.

“The appeal of the artichoke in the global food market would be the high antioxidant value, as consumers are becoming more aware of health benefits of ‘functional food’ in recent years,” Agehara said. “In the local food market, the supply of locally grown artichokes will be appealing, as almost all of U.S. artichokes are produced in California, and artichokes do not have good shelflife. There are a lot of interests for locally grown artichokes by Italian restaurants in Tampa.”

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Avatar for Jim Fruth Jim Fruth says:

Who would be interested in learning how to grow artichokes in Minnesota? (Brambleberry Fruit Farm, Pequot Lakes, MN)

Avatar for Joe Tobia....Interlachen FL Joe Tobia....Interlachen FL says:

I am Italian /American and were used to eating artichokes occasionally back up north….a couple times a month. However, in the stores down here in FL, artichokes are so expensive they have become cost prohibitive. My cousins in Sicily grow them and it’s hot as hell there from June to Sept…Yes, it does get cooler in winter and it’s wetter then too. In any event, I’d love to grow some plants. I have about a 1/2 acre to garden but do much since I can get the produce I’d grow very cheap when it’s in season, BUT artichokes……now that would be a different story. 🙂

Avatar for Debbie Ranciato Debbie Ranciato says:

You go Joe. I’m also Italian/American and a Master Gardener but in planting zone 9b here in North Port. I would also LOVE to grow artichokes. If you have a Dietweilers where you live Joe, you may find the cost a bit better, but not by much. Debbie

Avatar for Robert Nicolella Robert Nicolella says:

I live in Sarasota, had stuffed artichokes only once in 4 years. Trying some seeds. If I do not get artichokes will try cooking the leaves like cardoon. Nothing to loose.

Avatar for Mary McLelland Mary McLelland says:

I just planted 25 seeds indoors. I live in northern Florida. I lived in California until the last four years and I miss my artichokes. I really hope I will be successful in growing them here. When will it be safe to transplant them outside?

Avatar for Sandra M Brier Sandra M Brier says:

Please send me information on how I can do it as a homeowner with a small vegetable garden

Avatar for Mark H Gillett Mark H Gillett says:

I was a commercial ornamental grower in Charlotte NC Artichokes were grown as an ornamental for there winter interest. We would sow the see in an airconditioned building and transplant to an 8″ pan. (short pot)
They would do very well through the winter and produce great artichokes plus smaller side buds. I did sell some retail and they were planted on the South Carolina coast and did well there.
I would like you could do pretty well in North Florida. The seeds will not germinate in high temps but will grow fine once germinated.

Avatar for Scott Scott says:

Artichoke plants grow very large… so those with small gardens may not want to loose precious space in your garden… I would grow it in a flower bed or border garden where it can spread and show its beautiful leaves. The Artichoke is in the thistle family and the blossom looks just like it.I thinkit would be a great specimen plant, one you can eat!

Avatar for AJ Monte AJ Monte says:

Professor Agehara was very generous with his time. He explained to me what I would need to produce a healthy crop of Artichokes in Cedar Key and was very excited to share his knowledge. I’m interested to see if the Cedar Key High school has any students and/or teachers who are members of the FFA because I’d be willing to let them use some of my land to start a test crop. This is very exciting.

Avatar for john simmons john simmons says:

like to contact professor Agerhara. growing artichokes in brooksville fl. have purple and green globe. first ones were small to medium. have 2.5A for fruit trees and garden.

Avatar for Chris Nicolle Simmons Chris Nicolle Simmons says:

I see that growing artichokes in Florida has mostly been attempted in the Tampa area. How about trying in north Florida…the panhandle…where chill hours may be more numerous than in central Florida. I live in the Marianna area, Jackson County, just south of the Alabama line. Has any research on growing artichokes been done in this area?

Avatar for julio julio says:

I plant iartichoke in pots from the seeds. Years ago. The plant grow normal but never see the fruit. Maybe I need wait more time? Or florida is too hot? I want to visit some artichoke plant in Florida. My famili in uruguay plant artichoke. I love artichokes.

Avatar for Jim OBrien Jim OBrien says:

Great work Dr. Agehara I am a relocated tropical flower grower from Hilo Hawaii I am experimenting with Imperial Star plants here in North Central Florida on my 6 acre farm with the intention of growing for crops. I have read the University of So Cal research on use of GA3 in SoCal farm, at what PPM are you using the GA3 and at what age from transplant, also are you doing three applications at two weeks intervals. I am very interested in getting more info. We get sufficient weather below 50 here for budding. I feel it can be a viable cash crop here in NC Florida Mahalos.

Avatar for VINNIE AMORE VINNIE AMORE says:

I WOULD LIKE TO GROW ARTICHOKES HERE IN ZELLWOOD FLORIDA USING A LARGE 22INCH POT. PLEASE ADVISE

Avatar for Judy ciaccia Judy ciaccia says:

I’m growing artichokes in Dunedin Florida. Would enjoy communicating with growers. What nutrientsrequired.

Avatar for Judy ciaccia Judy ciaccia says:

I’m growing artichokes in my back yard. What fertilizer should I use? Thank you

Avatar for Erlinda Sanchez Erlinda Sanchez says:

My son lives in Cebu, Philippines. Is there any possibility of growing Artichokes there? Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks!
Linda Sanchez

Avatar for Kim Kim says:

Best of Luck, Dr. Shinsuke Agehara
This is very exciting.

Avatar for Dennis Lyles Dennis Lyles says:

I have been thinking about growing artichokes for some time now. I used to live in New Mexico and grew them in my backyard and they did quite well. But here in Florida no one carry’s tte plants. I tried tte seeds and they never germinated. I just recently found a nursery who shines tte young plants. I’m ordering some soon to try .

Avatar for Ellen Ellen says:

I too live in Florida and would be interested in knowing what the means. I have tried growing them for years but nothing. Please let me know if you find the hormone to give the plants or if it is a certain kind of seed.

Avatar for Andrew Shults the beast Andrew Shults the beast says:

I have a small artichoke in the garden now. It died then came back. Idk if it will continue growing. It’s very hot here rn in North West Florida

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