Our taster sessions have been fun. Along with herbal remedy workshops with Amanda Rew, we’ve enjoyed a plant dyeing workshop with Diane Sullock of Brockwell Greenhouses, and a swift introduction to permaculture with Kevin Mascarenhas of Natural Flow.

It’s been really enjoyable, and a great way to learn more about plants in the garden and how we can use them.

We still have a jam / chutney making workshop to come and more tbc.

Introducing the plants and their dyes.

Weld – green / woad -blue, & mix together to make lincoln green for merry men? Purple hollyhocks – deep blue /purple, onion skins -yellow, madder -deep pink, indigo – blue. We also had logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum – a tropical hardwood) that made a deep, deep purple

Madder (Rubia tinctorum)

Trial sticks ready to be cooked. Soaking in the mordant.

Weld (Reseda luteola)

Success!

Cotton bags dyed.

Was the permaculture session inspirational?  But yes, it was a bit wet.

Managed to find a large umbrella so we could stand around the compost bins.

Luckily a good lunch was had by all.