Story by Gray Gardener
Email Gray: [email protected]
June; Thanks for your article on Artichokes, I discovered The Artichoke when I moved back to California in 1953, and finished High School in Woodland. My mother discovered them and how to prepare them,
Later, in 1957 we moved back to Missouri, and artichokes were just starting to show up in the markets there.People would sneak over to my mother and ask: “What are those?”.
Later in 1967 when I moved to El Granada, I was completely surprised that I was surrounded by artichokes, and of a size I never imagined.I soon learned different ways to prepare them,and seldom had a meal, when I was home,without them.In fact sometimes, a couple of Artichokes,and a couple of bottles of wine were my dinner (Corky’s Store was way too close).
Later, in 1977 I lived near Sidney, Ohio,in the country, and my lady, and I. had a really large garden.At this time I really fell in-love with County Fairs, and in Ohio, county had a fair.
I used to sit on the fence, and watch the boy on the farm next door work his border collie each day,and later saw him win the competition at the Shelby County Fair.Somewhere along here I became obcessed with growing Artichokes in Shelby County (Probably the most “artichoke climate and soil” in the country), having the choke documented by the “County Agent”, and then entering it in the County Fair, in hopes they couldn’t ID it, let alone judge it.”
I sent for information on growing artichokes, designed a “Plastic Greenhouse”, with spray to re-create coastside fog & shade, and was all ready to go,when my Girlfriend ran off and joined the carnival. (There hangs another story.) and my whole life and project fell apart.
I still love Artichokes and miss Abalone,more than I can describe- Take care-
Gray
Excelsior Springs