Bordeaux

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Bordeaux to a garden.

Succulent, deep-purple Bordeaux artichokes arrive with a regal, velvety look and a rich, earthy flavor that feels both bold and refined.

Compact heads form dense, tightly layered scales with a tender, meaty texture—ideal for steaming until the heart is buttery-soft, and equally beloved for dipping sauces, roasting, and preserving for later enjoyment. Plant Bordeaux for a dependable harvest of striking purple crowns that make every garden bed feel like a showpiece.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Clumping

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Bordeaux Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Mar 16th	May 25th	Aug 8th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 6th	May 15th	Jul 29th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 6th	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	May 19th	Aug 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	May 13th	Jul 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	May 4th	Jul 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	May 1st	Jul 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	Apr 25th	Jul 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	Apr 20th	Jul 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Apr 10th	Jun 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Apr 1st	Jun 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Mar 23rd	Jun 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Mar 6th	May 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Feb 9th	Apr 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Bordeaux’s tightly layered, dense heads cook up into hearts that go from firm to buttery without turning stringy—perfect for eating by the leaf when it’s hot. The purple, earthy bitterness loves acid and fat, so it shines with lemon and butter rather than sweet flavors.

Best Uses

steam and eat the scaled leaves hot with a butter-lemon dip
braise or roast until the hearts turn buttery-soft and caramel at the edges
make a thick artichoke-bottom puree for pasta or spreads
jar/preserve and serve chilled with olive oil and salty anchovy-style sauces

Flavor Profile

earthy, mineral richness tender-meaty heart velvety bitterness that mellows with heat savory, slightly nutty finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil parmesan butter anchovy capers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem to watch for when growing Bordeaux (75-day crop), and how do I treat it?

Look for powdery mildew and leaf spotting, which often start on the lower leaves and spread upward in humid conditions. Remove the worst leaves immediately, then spray an approved fungicide labeled for powdery mildew/leaf spot on your specific crop before new growth is heavily affected. Improve airflow by spacing plants properly and watering at the soil line to keep foliage dry between waterings.

How often should I water Bordeaux during the main growing phase (about weeks 3–10)?

Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for consistent moisture at the top 2–3 inches. Water when the surface starts to dry, typically about 1–2 times per week depending on heat, with enough water to wet the root zone deeply rather than frequent light sprinkling. If leaves wilt at midday and recover by evening, increase watering; if soil stays wet and growth stalls, reduce frequency.

How can I tell when Bordeaux is ready to harvest at around 75 days?

Harvest when plants reach full size and the crop’s color and texture look mature for the variety—avoid picking too early while it’s still pale/soft. Use a quick check: the edible portion should feel firm and developed (not watery or underfilled), and the plant should show the expected maturity from the tag after about 75 days. If unsure, harvest one test piece and compare size/firmness to what you expect, then finish the rest over the next few days.