Globe artichokes - Cynara scolymus
Culinary use:
Artichokes have a lovely nutty flavour, similar to asparagus. They do take a bit of preparation though. Whisk two tablespoons of flour and the juice of a lemon in a pan, top up with water. Drop in the whole artichokes and simmer for 45-60 minutes. The flour and lemon juice stops the artichokes from going brown. Once cooked serve with a hollandaise dip.
Seeds to sow now:
Indoors or in a heated greenhouse
Coriander
Cress
Forget-me-not
Ornamental pepper
Outside
Alpine wallflower
Aubretia, Rock cress, Aubrieta, Aubrietia
Basil
Beet, Beetroot, Chard
Beetroot
Cabbage
Canterbury bell,
Cardoon
Carrot
Common wallflower
Cress
Double daisy
Foxglove
French bean, Fine bean
Kohl rabi
Marrow
Ornamental winter kale
Pansy
Radish
Spinach
Spring onion
Sweet William
Turnip
Outside under cover