Lest ya'll think I have nothing but gardening successes, I'm going to share a gardening failure that is totally baffling to me.
Look at these fabulous artichokes. This picture was taken in January 2012.
This is the same bed this year. What happened? I wish I knew. I have some theories, but what confuses me is that I have plants in other beds that look pretty good. The happy looking plants have very similar growing conditions. That's the confusing part.
Look at this poor little plant. How sad. I think I left a heavy weight row cover on the plants for too long. When I finally removed the cover, the plants where covered in aphids and other bugs.
Another bed some distance away has artichoke plants that are looking good. I covered this bed as well, but the wind whipped the cover off, so the plants got more air flow. I'm thinking that extra air flow made the difference in the happy plants.
This is my best hope for artichokes this year. I have 3 healthy looking plants, so all is not lost.
Gardening is iffy at best. Some years you get diamonds,
 |
| Artichoke in Bloom, June 2012 |
and some years, you do your shopping at HEB.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is early. Sorry to mislead. I'll add a caption. That picture was from June 2012.
DeleteDiamonds and stones....that's a good way to describe gardening.
ReplyDeleteHope the rest of your artichokes perform for you. They make a really pretty plant, too.
If I get enough for a few meals, I'll be happy. Those things are so pricey in the stores.
DeleteI would say a watering issue. I tried one year and they froze. That's it for artichokes. I hope they pull their socks up and perform.
ReplyDeleteA water issue is a possibility. These plants got more water than the happy plants. I don't think artichokes like to be over watered. I'll investigate the drainage. I may move them to a different bed next year. That may help.
DeleteI have never grown artichokes so I can advice about what's wrong, but I can certainly relate to diamonds and stones. Has been a bit too many stones in my garden lately, 2012 was not a good gardening year in Britain! But this is a new year and we are all hoping for a 'normal' summer....one can always hope.
ReplyDeleteSpring is definitely the season of hope and possibility. Fingers crossed for a good gardening season.
DeleteI love the look of these plants in the garden. I planted my first artichoke late last Spring. I'm still waiting for it to produce. I'm hoping this Spring / Summer it will have some artichokes on it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your artichokes Steph. I hope you get a basket full.
Delete