Woad, Dyer's (Organically Grown Seeds)
$4.79
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Description: Dyer's woad has been used for centuries in the age-old art of plant dyeing. Long before the arrival of tropical indigo in Europe, its leaves provided the deep blue hue for fabrics, particularly in temperate regions. In a thriving garden, it first appears as a rosette of bluish-green leaves close to the ground, then, in its second year, it grows into a tall, branching stem adorned with small yellow flowers.
Planted in suitable soil, it forms a robust yet discreet presence. Its delicate flowering blends seamlessly into a kitchen garden or a quiet corner reserved for useful plants. Its cyclical nature perfectly illustrates the gardener's rooted approach: observing its rosette in the first year, nurturing its flowering in the second, and allowing a few seeds to ripen, thus continuing the connection with nature throughout the seasons.
Organically Grown/ Heirloom/ Open Pollinated/ Non-GMO
Pack Size: ~ 60 seeds
Latin Name: Isatis tinctoria
Alternative Names:
Main Uses: Natural dyeing, naturescape
Zone Hardiness: Zone 3b
Exposure: Full sun
Height: 120+ cm (48+ inches)
Flower Colour: Yellow
Flowering Time: Mid-through-late summer
Seed Source: Québec vrai
Germination: 7 - 20 days at 21ºC.
Indoors: 3 - 5 seeds per plug or starter pot, 6 - 8 weeks before average last frost date. Use biodegradable starter pots as the tap root does not like to be disturbed.
Planting out: Plant in loose, fertile soil once all chance of frost has passed.
Direct Seeding: The seeds can be sown directly outdoors in mid-May, or in later fall. Many people prefer this method, as the plants can be fickle to transplant. Keep in mind, Woad is a perennial, so in any case it takes a couple of seasons to mature to the point of harvest.
Planting depth: Surface, lightly pressed into the soil.
Spacing: Space transplants 30 - 45 cm (12" - 18") apart.
Growing in Containers: Not well suited to pots, as this is a hardy perennial.
Growing in Mixed Planters: N/A
Fertilizing (Containers): N/A
Watering (Containers): N/A
Fertilizing (Garden): Plant in average garden soil, amended with compost on an annual basis. No additional fertilizing required.
Watering (Garden): Water deeply to establish. Water mature plants weekly during hot weather.
Beneficials Attracted to this Plant: Many butterflies as well as bees and smaller pollinators love to visit Woad.
Suitability for Indoors: Not suited for indoors.
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