Cardoon in 7b/8?

Yesterday I went thru my unplanted seeds and found three kinds of Artichokes, and Cardoon. I know it isn't a popular plat, but I bought the seds because I love Artichokes, but don't think I'll have much luck with them here. Cardoon was touted as a better choice, so I bought it. Thistles do VERY well here, so why not Cardoon?
Anyway, wondered if anyone had any experience to share on that or artichokes in the SC/GA/NC area....

Hi!

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) is reported to grow from USA zones 7a to 9b accodring to DG's Plant Files http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/913/ (scroll down to check gardener's reports).

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is reported to grow from USA zones 8a to 9b http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/914/.

If I were in your place and having seeds of both species, I would sow them and protect the dormant plants with heavy mulching during winter.

Good luck!

I think I'll do just that. As mild as our winters have been, they should be fine.

Thanks!

My cardoons here shoot out tons of babies to replant all year long, they're huge and beautiful, get a little off in July & august, but are beautiful and edible all year. All you do is cut the whole leaf off and strip the leaves and cook down the midrib - strangly, the bigger part is better than the smaller new tip end.

Chefs from N.O. came cut some today, they make cream of cardoon soup & sell it well.

That sounds yummy. My DS is a chef in Nola, what else do you grow to sell? A Nepalese friend gave me some seeds from his garden for some giant white radishes, some large cukes (Sikkim) that they use for cooking and for eating like an apple and some very hot peppers. I am excited to try to grow them. My artichokes are started. I have gotten a few to eat in the past, but they are a pretty plant regardless. Patti

I grow about 500 varieties of rare edibles. I am at the farmer's market on Magazine & Girod most Saturdays (but been to busy getting ready for huge spring to be last few weeks. Fava beans, Red ursa kale, several hard to find rare radishes, rare Italian chickories, few chioggias right now are ready to pick. I've been letting 'em visit & pick themselves for half price since I'm so busy. Feb. & March I'm not at market too often.

Way, way, too much to list of what'll be ready pretty soon.

I will tell him, if doesn't already know about you. He is a very near the farmers market on Magazine and Gravier. He moved down there a year ago, but was doing pastry though most of last summer, when he moved from August to Cuvee and back into the savory side.

You sound like you have some great varieties. Chioggias are so beautiful. He makes a great dish that consists of a fresh made mozzarella that he takes out hot and stretches it then he fills it with dressed beets,and greens and then folds it up , so it looks like a lovely warm white omelet but when you cut into it the colors are intense. We are back in April for 10 days. Can't wait. Patti

I have artichokes here. A friend gave me some plants and because I neglected them only one survived. But she is just across the river from me and hers do well. I don't know what variety she grows, though.

If anybody wants to trade for my neon-blue flowered Cardoon seeds, please let me know: I have many of these seeds.

We eat them fresh, without cooking. We just 'peel' them like cellery and cut them in tiny pieces. My favourite salad is mixe them with boiled eggs, olive oil and lemon. Very healthy! Lots of iron.