Artichoke companion plants can repel pests, improve growth, and even enhance the flavor of your favorite veggie. Creating the best growing environment for your artichoke and knowing when to divide artichoke plants isn’t enough to boost your harvest.
Choosing the right companion plant can add more beauty and balance to your vegetable garden. So, keep reading to learn what to plant if you’re growing artichokes.
Contents
List of Artichoke Companion Plants
Companion planting takes some planning and a good understanding of the varieties you want to grow. Globe and Jerusalem artichoke companions can be other vegetables, herbs, or even flowers that grow next to your favorite veggie.
1. Pea
The pea plant is one of the best options to consider if you want companion plants for your artichokes. The plants are amazing butternut squash companion plants, too, so they will be a great addition to your vegetable garden.
– Characteristics
This plant can tolerate a colder temperature than your artichokes and will help fix the nitrogen levels in the soil. It improves the soil, so it’s more suitable for growing your heavy-feeding veggies like Jerusalem artichokes in the warmer season.
– Growing Conditions
Peas have a vast growing range between USDA zones 2 and 11. They have some frost tolerance, but the earliest plants might die when the temperature drops and become too low for long periods.
Note that the pea plant thrives in a sunny spot with sharp soil drainage and has similar artichoke sun requirements. It also doesn’t need much fertilizing.
2. Arugula
Arugula is easy to grow and is ready to harvest within 40 days after planting.
– Characteristics
In the right growing conditions, your arugula will bloom once in spring and once in summer, growing right next to your artichoke plants. Moreover, the spicy leaves of arugula will be perfect with your artichoke-based food.
– Growing Conditions
Arugula thrives in USDA zones 2 to 11 and needs full to partial sun exposure. However, you can grow it in a pot if you only have a limited sunny spot devoted to your other sun-loving veggies. It’s a good idea to start planting arugula before you start planting your artichokes, as the latter takes more time to bloom.
The arugula plant is tolerant of several soil conditions but prefers rich, loamy, and slightly acidic soil. It has a shallow root system, so it requires regular watering, but it won’t affect the roots of artichokes or stunt their growth.
3. Sunflower
Some flowers, like the sunflower, can be excellent companions when you’re planting artichokes.
– Characteristics
There are countless varieties that you may grow in your garden, and they will allow your veggies to be spaced adequately to survive. The blossoms add beauty to your garden, and the seeds and leaves are edible.
Although some giant varieties exist, most sunflowers grow to be three to six inches across. The yellow flowers stand on sturdy hairy stems with rough leaves growing along.
In addition, you can grow them as a backdrop to your artichokes because they prefer sunny spots. Growing them also to the western side of your artichokes will protect your veggies from the intense afternoon sun.
– Growing Conditions
These beautiful artichoke companion flowers thrive in USDA zones 2 to 11 and need at least six hours of sun per day to prevent the bending of stems. Using bamboo stakes to support the stems is recommended, as these plants get top-heavy when they bloom.
They prefer growing in well-draining soil that is also rich in organic matter, but they can survive in any type of soil. Sunflowers are somehow drought-resistant, but you shouldn’t let the soil become too dry, or the blooms will droop.
4. Potatoes
Potato is an excellent artichoke companion in the kitchen and in the garden. More than 4000 varieties of potatoes are out there, so you can definitely find the right one to grow in your vegetable garden.
– Growing Conditions
In the US, potatoes are grown as annuals in USDA zones 3 to 10. It’s best to plant them in hot climates in late summer or late winter, as the high temperatures can kill the plant. However, you can actually grow an early-season variety with a late-season variety to enjoy a year-round supply of potatoes.
The plants thrive in full sun, just like artichokes, and prefer to grow in slightly acidic soil, especially if it’s rich in organic matter. Watering your potatoes regularly is crucial. Nonetheless, you must make sure that you don’t grow them too close to your artichokes because their growth will be inhibited.
– Pros
Potatoes are also good buckwheat companion plants, so they will enrich your vegetable garden with different delicious varieties. The benefits of having them together with artichokes is that they have common properties such as their light requirements.
– Cons
Be careful before adding them to your dishes because although potatoes are edible, the leaves are toxic.
5. Calendula
Calendula is a flower with a daisy-like appearance. It can be an excellent artichoke companion because it grows to reach a height of two feet, so it won’t shade your vegetables.
– Features
These flowers grow in shades of white, pink, red, yellow, and orange, so they’ll complement the look of your landscape when your artichokes grow. The leaves and petals are edible, so you can combine them in any way possible.
These flowers attract bees and butterflies. So, planting artichoke next to them guarantees that they’ll get pollinated. Calendulas are almost pest-free and relatively easy to take care of.
– Growing Conditions
Calendulas grow as annuals in USDA zones 2a to 11b, and as perennials in USDA zones 9 to 11. They can stay in bloom throughout spring, summer, and fall, but they’re not fans of the intense summer heat. Grow them in well-draining rich soil, and provide them with some afternoon shade in the hot months. Water the plant occasionally once established.
6. Broccoli
The mustard family includes several cool members that make amazing globe artichoke companion plants one of which is the broccoli.
– Characteristics
Broccoli has a moderate growth rate, so you can plant it in the spring to enjoy your harvest in summer. In warmer climates, you can replant it in late spring for a fall harvest.
There are several broccoli varieties, and most of them are green. Yet, some of them are purple. Broccoli doesn’t need a support structure or a lot of space, so it will work if you have a small home garden.
– Growing Conditions
Different broccoli varieties thrive in USDA zones 2 to 11. The plant prefers to grow in full sun, but partial afternoon shade is recommended in a hotter climate.
You can grow your broccoli in rich loamy soil with good drainage, and you should keep the soil moist . Note that a layer of mulch will help retain the moisture, but you shouldn’t let the soil get too soggy.
Basically, it is susceptible to the same pests that attack other members of the cabbage family. So, you can grow it in a pot to better control the soil and protect it from infestations.
7. Broad Beans
Broad beans or known as fava beans are most commonly used in the Middle Eastern regions, they are leguminous beans and usually they are planted together with artichokes.
– Features
These beans come in different shades of green, brown, white, beige, and purple. The plant is large with oval leaves, but the hollow stalks can flop because of the heavyweight pods, unless proper support is provided.
– Characteristics
In colder climates, broad beans can be harvested twice, once in spring and once in fall. Growing broad beans next to your artichoke plant will help fix the nitrogen levels in the soil, so it will boost your harvest when you plant artichokes.
– Growing Conditions
You can plant your broad beans in a sunny spot next to your artichokes. This plant thrives in USDA zones 2 to 10 and can tolerate different soil types. Nonetheless, note that a loose, loamy soil, which is slightly acidic, is ideal to grow these beans.
This plant is relatively drought-resistant, but moderate watering is generally recommended. All parts of the plant are toxic to people who experience fauvism, basically the same requirements as the artichoke.
8. Asparagus
Asparagus and artichokes are good companion plants in the garden and the kitchen.
– Characteristics
It’s one of the few vegetable perennials that you can grow in your garden and will be one of the earliest to harvest in spring. Nonetheless, it takes about three years for the first shoots to appear.
You can plant asparagus in smaller gardens because it doesn’t require much spacing. This is why artichoke is considered among the best asparagus companion plants. In addition, some other varieties grow male plants only, so they will need even less space.
– Growing Conditions
This plant thrives in USDA zones 3 to 10, and growing asparagus in a trench while adding compost or organic fertilizer is recommended. People usually let the plants grow from crowns, as the seeds take more time to harvest.
Provide asparagus with full sunlight exposure and regularly water the plant, especially when it’s young. This plant will experience stunted growth when the temperatures drop below 55 or rise above 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the other hand, in the summer, the female asparagus produces berries that are toxic to humans, although the shoots themselves are edible.
9. Tarragon
Tarragon is part of the sunflower family and comes in two varieties. The French one has more flavor and is more widely available than the Russian one.
– Characteristic
This herb is one of the best artichoke companion plants in a small home garden. Grow artichokes in a sunny spot where they can receive more sun, and let your tarragon plants thrive in the partially shaded area.
– Growing Conditions
Tarragon thrives in USDA zones 4 to 11 and is a good companion to plant next to your artichokes because it’s a fast grower. After five years, it will be the last season to harvest artichokes from your vegetable garden. Tarragons can keep your home garden green until the new plants appear.
The French variety produces sterile flowers, so you can only grow it from a cutting or a young plant. It doesn’t tolerate full sun or high temperatures and won’t survive if the soil is soggy.
However, you should note that the young tarragon plant will benefit from regular watering, especially in a hot climate. It’s also one of the best garlic companion plants because it boosts its growth.
10. Marigold
Marigolds are attractive bedding flowers that add brightness to your home garden. They’re also considered among the best asparagus and artichoke companion plants.
– Features
The best thing about marigolds is that some species can be as short as four inches, so they won’t shade your globe artichokes.
These flowers are fast growers and can be planted two months before the last frost to fill your garden with vibrant shades.
In addition, marigolds can be bi-colored and come in different shades of golden, yellow, orange, red, and white. Their strong smell repels pests, so they can also be good celeriac companion plants.
– Growing Conditions
Marigolds are grown as annuals in USDA zones 2 to 11, and they’re almost maintenance and pest-free. In the right growing conditions, they’ll bloom nonstop until frost.
They prefer to grow in full sun, as the shade will affect blooming. They are tolerant of different soil conditions and are drought-resistant once established. Furthermore, they grow better in leaner soil, so they won’t compete with your green globe artichokes for food.
11. Rutabaga
Although it’s not very popular, the rutabaga is a delicious root vegetable that can be an excellent artichoke companion plant. Rutabagas have a peppery cabbage-like flavor and are slow growers in your home garden.
– Characteristics
They tolerate the cold weather, so they’ll work for you after you’ve cut down your artichokes as the plant goes dormant. They can also be planted in spring, but prefer to grow in fall and winter in warmer climates. The leaves and the roots are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked.
– Growing Conditions
Rutabagas grow in USDA zones 3 to 9. They can tolerate full sun to partial shade, thanks to their broad leaves. The bulbs should be grown in well-draining soil and watered regularly. If the soil is rich in organic matter, this plant won’t need any extra fertilizer.
You can harvest the greens when they’re about four inches tall, and the roots will continue to grow. Grow your rutabagas in spring, so they mature in fall. In addition, you can also plant them in the fall, as they won’t sweeten if they mature in a hot temperature.
12. Cabbage
Cabbage is a leafy vegetable that is usually grown for food, but there are some ornamental varieties that simply add beauty to your landscape. It’s a cool-weather crop, guaranteeing that your vegetable garden will be productive even when your Jerusalem and globe artichoke can’t grow.
This vegetable is usually grown as an annual and harvested within the same season for the best quality. Some varieties have curly leaves while others are purple, but be careful because this fast-growing veggie might not work for you if you have a problem with your artichoke plant spacing.
– Growing Conditions
Cabbages grow in USDA zones 2 to 11, but they can’t tolerate the heat. You can start the seeds indoors if it’s too hot or plant them in late summer.
You need to pick a sunny spot for your cabbages, and you can even grow your vegetable in a container, although the yield will be smaller. The plant thrives in loamy, well-draining soil while maintaining a high level of moisture to keep the cabbage heads crisp.
Conclusion
Doing a little research before choosing companion plants for your delicious artichokes is a must. These vegetables need plenty of sun and space, so you should ensure that other plants won’t affect their growth.
- Several vegetables, herbs, and flowers can boost the growth of artichokes and protect them from the sun or pests.
- Some plants will fix the soil for the heavy-feeding artichokes, just as the tarragon or the arugula.
- It’s important to pick plants that won’t obstruct the growth of your artichokes because these vegetables need a lot of space.
There are plenty of good choices to pick from. So, are you going for another mouthwatering veggie, a flower, or a fragrant herb to be your artichoke’s best friend?
References
- https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/
- https://cipotato.org/potato/potato-facts-and-figures/
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-plants-in-the-family-Brassicaceae-2004620
- https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/calendula-calendula-officinalis/
- https://www.anses.fr/en/content/favism
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