There are a few seeds that I like to order and start early as they require a long growing season. The first of these is cotton. It is hit or miss trying to get mature bolls in my climate zone (3), but I try anyway as it’s a nice plant with a beautiful, if short-lived, flower. This year I’ve ordered Erlene’s Green Cotton, Mississippi Brown Cotton and Sea Island White Cotton from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. I still have plenty of Uplands Cotton seeds from my 2011 crop, so I’ll likely plant some of those too.
Last year’s cotton plants were rather sickly, so I only got a few stunted bolls, and I’ll discard any seeds that formed as I’d rather start with healthy seeds.
My second order was for Japanese Indigo (Dyer’s Knotweed) seeds. I’ve planted some of these directly in the garden, but they had only started to bloom when the season ended. I brought a few indoors and they have continued to produce blooms, but it doesn’t look like there’s much viable seed there and now they are dying back. I’m ordering these again from Companion Plants – one of the few seed houses I’ve found that carries them.
Third order is more Madder seed. My 2 year-old plants looked good last summer, but so far none have produced any blooms or seeds. I’d like to get some more plants going, and I’ll also try to start some from cuttings. Madder seeds germinate reliably and it’s nice to have a sure-bet in the flats. These I get from Horizon Herbs, and they are also hard to find.
I think I now have a life-time supply of woad seeds after letting a few plants over-winter and bloom. Just have to remember to scatter them once the ground is bare. Another plant that’s easy to grow.
The rest of the cold months should be dedicated to spinning and mordanting a supply of yarn so that I’ll be ready to go when the dye plants are ready to harvest next summer.
Next on the order list is fibre flax seed – still need to calculate how much I can reasonably sow in a limited space before I place my order.
It’s never too early to start planning next summer’s garden – hope you enjoy the process as much as I do.
I have enjoyed briefly browsing your blog this morning, and look forward to looking more thoroughly in the future.
My interest is in Japanese indigo, and I am learning about other natural dyes, as well.
If you are interested in another option for supplying Japanese indigo seeds, I have a lot of seeds, for both the pink flowered and white flowered varieties, and sell them on my Etsy shop, morningstarsoaps, or through my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/morningstarsoaps. Nancy
Hi Nancy,
It’s good to know there are a few more sources for these seeds! Is there a difference between the pink and white varieties when using them for dyeing?
Liz
I, too have grown cotton for a while (3 years) now, in zone 4. Vermont.
Last year’s crop wasn’t great. Looking forward to this year!
Also, I grow madder, weld, and indigo. don’t forget woad (pastel, in France). It is all beautiful.
I don’t know of many cold-climate cotton-growers!
Oh, I have so many questions for you!
Have you started your cotton for this year yet? Do you keep the plants from previous years growing?
I’ve got a few cotton plants left from last year – the aphids are doing a job on them indoors – but I think I see a few new squares forming too.
I think we’re both fortunate as there aren’t any restrictions here in the (north)east on growing woad, but there are out west where it’s considered a pest, and of course we can grow any type of cotton here without restrictions, unlike the cotton-growing states.
Today I’m going to plant this year’s cotton seeds!
Interesting blog! I’m glad you mentioned a source for madder seed. I would love to take the plunge and attempt dyeing fiber/yarns especially with natural plant dyes. I’m curious to see how things go with the flax you’ve grown as well. 🙂
Thankyou, I’m glad you are thinking about fibre dyeing – lot’s of fun and you can gather or grow a lot of what you use. You’ve reminded me I should get some of that flax out of the garage and into a tub for retting (I’m going to try to do that in the basement, although it does have quite a strong smell sometimes…)