For really big, heavy-flowering plants, start seed indoors in 4 in. containers, 5-6 weeks before the last spring frost. Plant only your best seedlings into the garden 3 ft. apart. Kept at 70-80°F., germination is in8-12 days. About 20% of the seedlings will be of low vigor and should be discarded. In zones 7 and above, artichoke plants may be started from late spring through late summer, for large, productive plants the following season.
