A tasty thistle can be grown here

Most of the artichokes you find in grocery stores are grown in the central coastal valleys of California. The town of Castroville in Monterey County calls itself the "The Artichoke Capital of the World" and hosts a huge artichoke festival in June. But did you know you can grow artichokes successfully in Mason County?

Growing them is relatively simple by following a few guidelines. They are perennials so it is important to grow them in a spot in your garden that has good drainage, loamy soil and enough room to spread - they will grow 3 to 4 feet across and live at least five years if given adequate winter protection. They will also self-propagate by growing offshoots. They have deep roots and are fairly drought-tolerant. Adding compost is helpful, and some shade is OK.

Artichokes are easy to start from seed. They come in several varieties, but the most common is the heirloom Green Globe. Smaller purple varieties, known as Violetta, originated in Italy, which is the largest producer of artichokes worldwide.

Start your seeds indoors under lights in late winter, then plant them outdoors after the final frost a couple of months later. With adequate fertile soil, they are fast growers and will take 100 to 120 days to mature. If your site is too cold, they can be grown as annuals but there is less chance of getting a good harvest of buds. Still, it is fun to give them a try.

In late autumn, cut the plants back to 4 inches and cover with mulch. Even if they freeze, like mine did this cold winter, they can make a comeback and surprise you with lots of new growth.

While most people grow artichokes for their tasty buds, they are also striking ornamental plants in the thistle family. They have gray, serrated leaves and showy lavender thistle blooms when left to flower. Each plant will produce several edible buds - harvest them before they flare open for maximum tenderness.

The Master Gardeners will have artichoke plant starts for sale at its online plant sale May 6 to 9. Go to mgfmc.org for details.

■ Pat Carpenter has been gardening for over 50 years, with gardens in California, Idaho and Washington. She became a WSU Mason County Master Gardener in 2009 after retiring from teaching at Hood Canal School.