Indigo Harvest

Eco-color Files

Today was the season’s first Indigo harvest from my garden. Collection began early this morning, and the dye bath processes ended just before sunset this evening. I have never been more satisfied with a dye color.  There is no clearer reflection of sky and sea than the blues of Indigo.

I’ve been waiting for this day since last October, when I first ordered my seeds.  I planted my Japanese Indigo in December, indoors.  Today was the first day of harvest- July 14th.  So it has been some time coming, and it was well worth the patience required.  I’ve been building a deep and admiration filled relationship with Japanese Indigo over these many months- through tending, watering, appreciating, and gazing over these lovely plants.  It was only today that the relationship was taken to the next level- as I uncovered this most visually delectable natural dye color.

Extracting color included a variety of oxygenating, and de-oxygenating processes.  My handspun organic yarn looks yellow in the dye bowl, because it is.  Only when I pull the yarn from the vat, does the blue begin to emerge, as it hits the air.  I harvested one pound of leaves and stems today, and it was enough to dye 4 oz. of yarn.  My Indigo crop is so healthy, I likely have five or six more pounds to harvest before the season’s end.

If you are interested in this process I recommend Rita Buchanon’s book a Dyer’s Garden.  If you are interested in purchasing seed for Japanese Indigo, and growing instructions, drop me a comment.  If you have an Indigo story, or question I’d love to hear from you.  For the utmost beauty in Indigo processing, check out the