Edible garden: Artichokes

Global artichoke. Photo / Supplied

From my kitchen window, I watch through the rain as many blackbirds bounce around my mulched garden beds. They scatter mulch and soil everywhere in their hunt for worms and bugs. It's a common sight in gardens with humus-rich soil at this time of year.

A raised bed, just a few inches above the plot, will save your paths from the bird-racers and their skid pads.

With or without raised beds, the vegetable garden can look messy in June. I like to put most of it to sleep for the winter. Both the garden and myself can get a rest then.

During this bedraggled time there's one plant that retains its dignity. It stands out from the background because of the grey-green, long, serrated leaves that arch elegantly.

This is the globe artichoke.

They are deep-rooted and last five to 10 years. Sprinkle lime around them twice a year and make sure they are well watered. Each plant produces about a dozen flower buds, which are the artichokes we eat.

I'll let you know in spring when it's time to find them in garden centres.