Big Big pots!

I'm considering it here, but only because of gophers. Artichokes are a huge crop in the low desert, Coachella Valley, but NOT in the spring/summer. They are a winter/early spring crop.

Actually, they grow other things while the perennials are cut back in summer, then let them grow in late fall, winter, and cut them early. They are a major extension of what is grown by the coast.

You can do it, but you need to time it right.

There is two reasons they are the major crop in Castroville. Very little chance of winter frost, and cool foggy summers. They are not particular about soil, doing well in the poorly drained as well as the just poor soil. Pots I think is a good choice for you as you may need to find the best exposure where you are. As a child living in the Berryessa valley of Napa county, I can remember having three plants out near the well producing for years, where we had to burn smug pots to protect the prunes from frost, and the summer was like Hades. Al
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Ocean Mist Farms is a big commercial producer, and they grow in the low dessert, AKA Coachella Valley. If they grow there, they will grow where you live!

Suzi

Here is a link that might be useful: Nice article about growing artichokes in hot climates

Al, a former co-worker of mine's son did a short documentary on the Berryessa valley prior to putting in the dam. They used a bunch of old video footage from the 20s and 30s from the valley. The little town of Monticello had fruit and nut orchards and a huge annual rodeo. I wish I could get a copy of it. As someone that used to swim in Berryessa as a kid, I was always fascinated when a bad drought would expose some of the flooded parts of the valley floor.

I've heard of people finding cardoon growing just about everywhere in the valley here even where frosts are regular. I think the plants can take it okay, it is more a function of keeping the bracts from turning brown and losing leaves, etc.