Seed to Skein 2010 Dye Garden Project, Part II

“Nature does nothing uselessly”

 -Aristotle

Helianthus spp.,

Hopi Dye Sunflower, 2010.

Part II: Seed Germination

Spring thrives on future potential and the promise of renewal. Seeing established trees and shrubs wake up from dormancy, perennials push out from under the surface of the ground, flowers burst all over the place and seeds germinate...there is nothing more hopeful than this.

Often while I am working in my garden I find myself anticipating the following years, observing the garden change and mature; everything grows, everything dies. Deeply influenced by Masanobu Fukuoka’s The One Straw Revolution many gardens ago, I like to spread plants around, daffodils in the orchard with herbs and other perennials, annual and volunteer flowers scattered throughout every garden bed, mixing foods and flowers; paying attention to what grows well in my garden and in my dirt with my cycle of day to day living. This year I am working garden ground that is new to me. The dirt is clay loam, high in nutrients but it feels different in my hands. I am getting to know this garden ground.

New Garden Ground, 2010

With the benefit of a greenhouse or a heated seed starting frame I have been growing a wide variety of plants from seed for several years. One advantage to starting these dye plant seeds in pots is that I am able to clearly identify the dye plant seed when it germinates. At times when I have direct sewn seeds in the ground I have lost the seedlings because I was unable to distinguish them from weed germination. I find it important to be able to identify newly germinated plants and working within the confines of pots helps with this training.


This collection of dye plant germination photos are mostly within a couple days or a week of germination. Some seedlings are more developed; these photos are within a couple weeks of germination.

Reseda luteola germination, 2010.

Reseda luteola, 2010.

The germination process is mysterious. Life is pushing open, breaking the shell. Generally, there are two cotyledons encased within the hard shell of the seed. These are the food storage that supports the seed as it emerges. As the seed absorbs moisture the outer shell softens, eventually causing the cotyledons to swell, pushing open its encasement. The radial pokes out first, being pulled downwards by gravity. When the plumule emerges it pushes upwards. Think of yin and yang, black and white, opposite forces at work. Soon the radial makes rootlets (I love this word) and the leaves form on the plumule, the above ground part. Now the plant is independent of its food source. This process requires oxygen and moisture. Notice in some of the germination photos that the seed is still bound to the new leaf?

I love observing this process; it is life unfolding before our eyes!

Polygonum tinctorium germination, 2010.

Polygonum tinctorium,

2010.

Since Part 1 of the Seed to Skein 2010 Dye Garden Project there have been some discoveries to report. Reseda luteola, known as Weld, is the species needed for dyeing yellow. Reseda odorata is available in many plant catalogs as an ornamental, but it is not a dye plant. I had both kinds of seeds. The Reseda photo in Part 1 is Reseda odorata; Reseda luteola seeds look different but I planted all of them before I discovered my error; hence I do not have a picture of the difference. Cosmos bipinnatus is not a dye plant either. I have planted out these Cosmos simply for flower pleasure. Not all plants in a species will yield color. Yet, there are some, like Zinnias for example, where any of the species can be used. This is a really good example why Latin names are so critical. 

Alcea rosa, Nigra Hollyhock, 2010.

Admittedly, I planted old tansy and coreopsis seed and neither germinated. Coreopsis grandiflora is already a volunteer in our garden so I will utilizing it as part of the Seed to Skein 2010 Dye Garden Project. Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare, on the other hand has been difficult to locate. I have finally come across a company that will begin taking orders again next week so I am still going to try to grow it from seed. Included in this seed order will be two more dye plants: Queen Ann’s Lace, Daucus carota, and Yellow Bedstraw, Galium verum. I did however successfully germinate Calendula officinalis, or Calendula, from old seed because I had found a reference to Calendula as a dye plant in Jenny Dean’s Wild Colour.

Calendula officinalis, 2010.

Dahlia, mixed hybrid, 2010.

To Date Revised SEED to SKEIN 2010 Dye Garden Project Plant List

(latin name, common name, dye colors, establishment, plant hardiness zone):

Alcea rosea, Hollyhock cultivars, yellow and pink, biennial, zone 5.

Calendula officinalis, Calendula or Pot Marigold, pale yellow to olive, annual, all zones. 

Coreopsis lanceolata, Coreopsis, yellow and tan, perennial, zone 5.

Dahlia, Dahlia hybrids mixed colors, yellow and orange, tender perennial grown as an annual, all zones.

Helianthus, Hopi Black Dye Sunflower strain, grays, annual, all zones.

Isatis tinctoria, Woad, blue, biennial, zone 3.

Polygonum tinctorium, Japanese Indigo, blue, annual, all zones.

Reseda luteola, Weld or Mignonette, yellow, biennial, zone 3.

Rubia tinctoria, Madder, red and orange, perennial, zone 4. 

Tagetes patula, French Marigold, yellow, annual, all zones.

Tagetes, French Marigolds, 2010.

Isatis tinctoria,

Direct seed, 2010.

Resources:

Heirloom Seeds web site:

http://www.heirloomseeds.com/

Johns, Hugh. The Principles of Gardening: The Classic Guide to the Gardener’s Art. Simon & Schuster, New York, 1979.

WORDS FOR EARTH

“the world is mud-luscious....the world is puddle wonderful”

 -ee cummings

Oklahoma Red Dirt, Sandy Loam, 2010.

Earth pigments are the most stable of natural colors. They are often combined with the abundant palette of colors derived from plants and insects. Earth pigments are ochres or iron oxides and minerals. Colors from earth have been collected, mined and mixed to color our bodies, our architecture, and our cloth. Colors range depending on their origin of place and the methods of washing, extracting, heating and curing. Painting with earth pigments is often called mud painting. Mud of coarse is the combination of earth and water. Earth and Mud have many meanings. 

Earth Pigments and Minerals, 2010.

Words for Earth

LAND, GROUND, SOIL, DIRT, LOAM, CLAY,

HUMUS, TURF, EARTHINESS, SPICE, EARTHLY,

EARTHY, EARTHLINGS, TERRESTRIAL, TERRANE,

WORLDLY, TEMPORAL, BASE, SECULAR, EARTHY,

COARSE, ROBUST, LUSTY, SIMPLE, NATURAL,

UNREFINED, CRUDE, ROUGH, RIBALD, FUNKY,

DOWN TO EARTH, COME BACK TO EARTH,

THE EARTH MOVED, LAST DAY ON EARTH,

LIKE NOTHING ON EARTH, BETWEEN SKY & EARTH,

THE EARTH IS FLAT, GLOBE, PLANET, TERRA FIRMA,

FLOOR, UNDERGROUND, LAIR, HABITATION,

“FOX’S EARTH”, DEN, SET, BURROW, WARREN, HOLE,

RETREAT, SHELTER, HIDEOUT, HIDEAWAY.

Oklahoma Black Dirt, Silt Loam, 2010.

Words for Mud

MUCK, MUDDY, MIRE, OOZE, SLIME, DIRT,

MUDSLINGING, ASPERSION, DISCREDIT,

SMEAR, SLANDER, VILIFICATION, DEFAMATION,

MUCKRAKING, LIBEL, SCANDAL, SLOP, FILTH,

DUNG, COMPOST, SLUDGE, SEWAGE,  MUDDLE,

JUMBLE, MESS UP, MUSS, RUFFLE, PERPLEX, PUZZLE,

RATTLE, ROIL, TURBID, SEDIMENT, RUILER, TO MIX, 

MORTAR , TO STIR UP, TURBULENCE, DISTURB,

BEMIRED, BESPATTERED, BOGGY, MUDDIED, BEWILDERED,

SLUSHY, MARSHY, CONFUSE, SODDEN, MUDDLE-HEADED, 

BECLOUD, OBSCURE, DISORIENT, GRIME, STAIN,DUST,

BAWDINESS, SMUT, SOOT, SCUTTLEBUTT, DIRT-CHEAP,

UNCLEAN, SMUDGE, POLLUTE, STICK IN THE MUD,

MURKY, NAME IN THE MUD, DRAG THROUGH THE MUD,

CLEAR AS MUD, MUD BATHS, MUD MASKS, MUD SEASON.

Happy Earth Day Everyday, 22 April 2010:
http://www.earthday.org/

"The urge to create compels artists to continue working even in the face of poverty and obscurity...why?" by Pnina Granirer, Vancouver Observer, 30 March 2010:

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/methodscreation/2010/03/30/urge-create-compels-artists-continue-working-even-face-poverty-and

The Earth Pigments Company talks about their quarry in Europe and describes their process of extraction:

http://www.earthpigments.com/info/index.cfm?id=1

Ode to Chocolate Chip

An ode to Chocolate Chip... the beauty and simplicity that Black & White can bring to our lives and the stark reminders we receive when life is not Black & White.

Chocolate Chip, 2010.

Black & White represent simplicity. When things appear Black & White it may look truthful, like photographs by Ansel Adams; there may be deception like the drawings of M.C. Escher. Black & White create light and dark contrasts. The powerful representations of form, pattern, and movement are most visible in Black & White. Black & White lines create negative and positive space, make gestures, marks, language and music. They are Yin and Yang. They represent polarity, “polarity pairs make a balance” (Stein, p.59).

Stormy Sky, New Mexico, 2009.

Ithaca Falls, New York, 2009.

We see black and white together in many places: piano keys, words on a page, musical notes, chocolate chip ice cream, tiles, dominos, penguins, cows, skunks, woodpeckers, zebras, ermine moths (Arctiidae), Common Murre eggs (Uria aalge), bogolonfini or mud cloth, the moon and stars in the night sky. Black & White are opposites, always in contrast, positive and negative. 

Common Murre eggs, 2003.

(public domain)

BLACK is the absence of color. Water is the element for Black. Black pigment is derived from carbon black from burning oils, black iron oxide or charcoal. Black represents the root center chakra which can move us forward, dealing with issues such as fear, karma and death (Stein, p.22).

Condensation on Glass, 2010.

descriptive words for black: jet black, obsidian, black agate, onyx, jet, slate, tar, ebony, ink, charcoal, coal, midnight, black hole, dark, lamp black, and humus, black coffee, black tea, Black Forest, black beans, blackjack, black mold, blacken, blackout, black sheep. 

black inspirations: glass, water, black ice, black bears, black pearls, ebony piano keys, shadows, dark chocolate, black widow, black bird, black walnut, pupils, black cumin, wild rice, black pepper, licorice, black panther, black & white photography, black velvet, black strap molasses, raven, crow.

Tiles in Italian Restaurant,

Hot Springs, Arkansas, 2009.

black represents: darkness, mystery, oppression, decay, protection, security, power, elegance, sophisticated, classical style, strength, magical, somberness, expensive, womb, death, and reincarnation.

“All colours will agree in the dark.”  Sir Francis Bacon

Glacier, Seward, Alaska, 2009.

WHITE is the full spectrum of light. Metal is the element for White. White pigment is derived from calcium carbonate or chalk, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, sea shells, white lead (banned from use), lithopone (combination of zinc sulphide and barium sulphate), zinc white, gypsum, and talcum powder. Potassium aluminum sulfate, cream of tartar and Orvus Paste are all white substances used in natural dyeing processes.

Dye Herbs, Cornell Botanical Gardens, 2009.

18/6 Rayon Prepared for Dyeing, 2008.

descriptive words for white: white wash, white out, cream, ivory, milk, snow, porcelain, egg, pearl, bleach, light, vanilla ice cream, albino, gesso, oyster shells, lightness, white tea, white russian, White House, white noise, white pine, white lie, white night, white hole (time reversed black hole), tooth, bone.

white inspirations: lilies, snowflakes, whipping cream (organic), eggs, marble, paper, marshmallows, linen, flax, pearls, diamonds (white light), lace, wool, cotton, white elephant, polar bears, white buffalo, white rhinoceros, wedding dresses, butter cream frosting, lightening, garlic, daylight, sunlight, white rice, clouds, clover flowers, unbleached wheat flour, salt, sugar, blank canvas, coconut flakes, alabaster, cheese, cannellini beans, starlight.

white represents: purity, clean, stark, mellow, quiet, leadership, creativity, peace, clear thinking, bright ideas, innocence, silence, brightness, clarity.

All colours come together in the light. 

Unidentified Moth or Butterfly, 2009.

Chocolate Chip, 2010.

The Brief Story of Chocolate Chip

In the summer of 2008 I moved from the outskirts of town into town proper. My french angora rabbit, Mocha, moved with me (and the dogs and the chickens). When I met my soon to be husband he immediately knew that I did not come alone; my animals and I are a package deal. A bargain? Not for me to say. But, all of us were welcomed with open arms and wings.

Only two weeks after the move a rabbit appeared having been chased by the neighbor’s dogs. Clearly the rabbit was not a wild one-it was starkly black and white.

We quickly chased the dogs away, watched over the terrified rabbit while it rested and eventually I was able to capture it. It was a young bunny, probably an “easter bunny” someone “set free” to live in the wilds of town proper. We made a new home for the stray bunny and named him Chocolate Chip.

Our friends bring their daughter to visit the rabbits and the chickens. Now there are bedtime stories about Chocolate Chip. Mocha is no longer with us and it was time to find Chocolate Chip a healthy, happy home. With patience, situations find their way. Recently, Chocolate Chip was invited to move to the big city; he lives with the Grandmother of our little friend that adores him. 

Chocolate Chip close-up, 2010.

Bibliography

*see Oklahoma Tinctoria Library Thing for detailed information

All Women are Healers, Stein

Colors from the Earth, Thomas

Composition, Dow

The Art of Color, Itten

Complete Book of Paint and Decorative Techniques, McCloud

Bogolonfini Mud Cloth, Hilu and Hersey

song ‘What Light’ by Wilco

Thank you Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History Research Training Program for the use of the Public Domain image of Common Murre eggs:

http://www.nmnh.si.edu/rtp/students/2003/gallery03.html

Seed to Skein 2010 Dye Garden Project, Oklahoma

Dye Seed Packets, 2010.

Dye Seed Packets, 2010

Part I: Growing Dye Plants from Seed

This year I am documenting my SEED to SKEIN 2010 Dye Garden Project. My goals include getting to know some new dye plants like Polygonum tinctorium and revisiting dye plants which I have grown in the other gardens like Rubia tinctoria and Isatis tinctoria. As I become more involved with natural colors I want to be able to clearly identify which dye plants are most suited to Oklahoma. It is important to understand how a plant grows and have a sense of the various characteristics of each species. 

Oklahoma has extreme weather conditions; we can go from flood to drought to tornado to ice storms within very short time periods. Summer temperatures often soar into the 100’s for weeks at a time and it does not cool off at night like it does in many other hot climates. These climatic hardships are stressful for plants, animals and people. So, why do we live here? That story unfolds the many years of trials and tribulations. Meanwhile plant lovers continue to battle the weeds, dig in the dirt, enrich the soil, mulch for nutrients and water retention, grow and harvest some amazing bounties.

Despite these climatic hardships Oklahoma can be a great place to garden and to live. Oklahoma offers a long growing season, generally from March through October and even year round for the ultra dedicated. Four plant hardiness zones, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b with temperatures ranging from -10 to +10 degrees Fahrenheit, are represented in Oklahoma, making the variety of plants quite diverse. Plant hardiness zones are areas of average annual minimum temperatures. Plants and seeds are usually sold with an indication of their Plant Hardiness Zone. Contact your local extension office to find out which specific zone you live in or go to the US Forest Service web site to read their Plant Hardiness Zone Map:

http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/nativegardening/hardinesszones.shtml

US Forest Service Hardiness Zone Map,

public domain, 2010.

There are many dye plants that can be grown from seed. Gardeners are great friends to have because we love to share plants and many of us save our seed from year to year. Following is a list of the plants I am growing for my SEED to SKEIN 2010 Dye Garden Project (latin name, common name, dye colors, establishment, plant hardiness zone):

Alcea rosea, Hollyhock cultivars, yellow and pink, biennial, zone 5.

Coreopsis lanceolata, Coreopsis, yellow and tan, perennial, zone 5.

Cosmos bipinnatus, Cosmos, yellow, annual, all zones.

Dahlia, Dahlia hybrids, yellow and orange, tender perennial, all zones.

Helianthus, Hopi Black Dye Sunflower strain, grays, annual, all zones.

Isatis tinctoria, Woad, blue, biennial, zone 3.

Polygonum tinctorium, Japanese Indigo, blue, annual, all zones.

Reseda luteola, Weld or Mignonette, yellow, biennial, zone 3.

Rubia tinctoria, Madder, red and orange, perennial, zone 4. 

Tagetes patula, French Marigold, yellow, annual, all zones.

Tanacetum vulgare, Tansy, yellow, perennial, zone 4.

Zinnia, Zinnia cultivars, yellow and tan, annual, all zones.

Coreopsis seeds, 2010.

Cosmos seeds, 2010.

Helianthus, Hopi Dye Sunflower seeds, 2010.

Isatis tinctoria, Woad seeds, 2010.

Polygonum tinctorium,

 Japanese Indigo seeds, 2010.

Reseda, Weld seeds, 2010.

Rubia tinctoria, Madder seeds, 2010.

Starting seeds indoors has always seemed rather troublesome to me. Once germinated, the fragile seedlings never seem to get enough light and the moisture is difficult to control. When the seeds are too wet there is a risk of “dampening off” which causes the new seeds to rot. A seed starting frame is the next best thing to a greenhouse and it is an ideal way to start healthy seedlings in the early Spring.

The seed starting frame is covered with glass and can sit outside on the ground in a sunny location, preferably facing south. The bottom is lined with sturdy hardware cloth, then covered with a layer of landscape fabric, preventing the sand from washing away. A layer of sand is placed over the cloth followed by a heating cable and finally covered with more sand. The seedling pots sit in the frame on damp sand. The seed starting frame provide good drainage and a warm, protected environment. The heating cable assists the germination rates and helps the new seedlings along past the last frost danger. When the days are warm and calm I lift off the glass windows which provide shelter from harsh climate changes like hard rain and even hail. In the late afternoon I cover the seedlings again for the night when the temperatures may still be too cool for the new seedlings. This is also a great way to start tomatoes, basil, eggplant and many other flowers and foods.

Seed Starting Frame with

 heating cable, 2010.

There are many books about gardening: what to plant, where to plant, how to start, soil types, irrigation, buying plants or seeds, composting, harvesting, diseases, pests, etc. Although many garden dye plants can be found in general gardening books, like marigolds and zinnias, there are few resources specifically designed for growing dye plants in the home garden. Rita Buchanan has two books that are imperative for any dye garden enthusiast, experienced or beginner: A Dyer’s Garden and A Weaver’s Garden (see Bibliography for detailed information). The last chapter in A Weaver’s Garden, ‘Creating a Garden’, and the beginning of A Dyer’s Garden provides helpful, in depth information about designing and starting a dye garden and the various attributes to consider before you start digging. Indigo from Seed to Dye by Dorothy Miller is a great reference specifically about growing Polygonum tinctorium, Japanese Indigo.

Although there are many reputable seed companies, dye seeds are hit or miss in garden catalogs. Latin names are vital for identifying the proper species of the plant that you are seeking. Weld is a good example of the importance of identification; Reseda luteola is the well known yellow dye plant but Reseda odorata is an ornamental that contains no dye.

Here are a few seed companies where I have purchased specific dye plant species: 

Earth-Arts (saved garden seed)

http://www.earth-arts.com/

Richters (Canadian)

http://www.richters.com/

Chiltern Seeds (British)

http://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/chilternseeds/index/

Pinetree Garden Seeds (Dyeing Herbs section)

https://www.superseeds.com/

Native Seeds/SEARCH (Native American dye plant and fiber seed) http://www.nativeseeds.org/

Johnny’s Selected Seeds

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/

Peaceful Valley (heating cable)

http://www.groworganic.com/default.html

Finally, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to grow plants in appropriate locations that suit the cultural requirements of each particular species. Individual plants have evolved with specific conditions of soil and climate. As gardeners we try to provide these same conditions as closely as possible. This does not always mean that we follow exact directions on the seed packet. For example, many plants require full sun in zone 5, but in zone 7 they may need partial shade because the growing season temperatures are warmer and the sun may be harsher. Observe these qualities, characteristics and micro climates in your own garden to find the best placement for each species. Establishment of a species, whether it is annual, biennial or perennial and which parts of the plants will be harvested for dyeing will also determine where to plant each species. Some plants re-seed themselves abundantly, happily spreading volunteers all over the garden. This can be desirable or disastrous depending on the garden and the gardener. 

Happy Planting!