Japanese Indigo Persicaria tinctoria - (90 days) This annual herb is a relative of buckwheat, sorrel and yellow dock and has long been used for creating a delicious deep blue fiber dye from the leaves.  There are numerous recipes for creating dye from the leaves-- either fresh or an elaborate fermentation processes.  Pictured below are a few images from our 2019 dye batch experiments. It is very easy to grow and can yield multiple harvests of leaves over the season.  Plant is frost sensitive. Space plants 12" apart.  Plant produces clusters of pretty white & pink flowers. WE RECOMMEND STARTING THIS SEED VIA COLD STRATIFICATION:  Cold Stratification 1. Dampen a paper towel  2. Place seeds on damp paper towel and fold over  3. Place the packet into a ziplock bag and store in the door of the fridge for 3-4 weeks - periodically check the towel to make sure the seeds are still damp but not very wet to ensure that the seeds do not mold  4. After 3-4 weeks, plant as usual Packet: (0.3g = ~120 seeds) Here is a nice tutorial about the fresh leaf dye process:   http://www.thedogwooddyer.com/blog/2014/9/27/fresh-leaf-indigo-dyeing podcast all about the history of Indigo  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stuff-you-should-know/id278981407?i=1000466611270...

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Milkweed, Showy Asclepias speciosa   This is the most common milkweed in western Oregon and the best choice for folks in the Pacific Northwest or similar climates with dry summers to attract and support Monarch butterflies. Tropical, non-native species of milkweeds may not die back as well in the winter as our native species. Theoretically, with non-native milkweed, monarchs could hang around and potentially breed at the wrong time for our climate.  Plant is a drought hardy perennial with fuzzy gray-green leaves and pale pink white flowers that come on in mid summer.  To grow our native showy milkweed from seed, you need patience. It takes about three years from seed to really get going in my experience. Seeds should be planted in the fall, in a pot or flat outdoors, as they need cold and wet to germinate. The first spring after sprouting, native showy milkweed plants are tiny and often die back over the summer. If you want to coax seeds to grow in the summer, put them in a damp paper towel and refrigerate for a couple weeks before planting them. Adult monarchs use many species of flowers for nectar besides milkweed. Goldenrod, aster, coneflower, black-eyed Susans and other open flowers make good nectar plants.  Packet (0.4g~35 seeds) * Growing Tip: Being an undomesticated plant, milkweed benefits from a period of cold stratification to help the seeds "wake up".  To do this, one method is to plant in the fall, as wold happen in nature. Or...you can place the seeds on a moist paper towel and put them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for about 30 days.  Check it periodically to see if mold is forming, in which case change the paper towel.  This will greatly improve germination.  ...

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 Milkweed, Narrow Leaf Aesclepias Fasicularis   A perennial herb native to the Western United States, Narrow Leaf Milkweed is a favorite among Monarch butterflies.  Grows to 3 foot with long, narrow leaves and produces approximately 5-inch white or rose-white flower clusters.  Flowers give way to seed pods which split and reveal seeds and silk when mature.  This milkweed has a broad tolerance for garden conditions, but also manages to survive heavy clay, salty, dry soils, and seasonal flooding.  A great choice for butterfly and pollinator gardens.  Likes sun and readily reseeds. Packet: (.4g~35 seeds) * Growing Tip: Being an undomesticated plant, milkweed benefits from a period of cold stratification to help the seeds "wake up".  To do this, one method is to plant in the fall, as wold happen in nature. Or...you can place the seeds on a moist paper towel and put them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for about 30 days. Check it periodically to see if mold is forming, in which case change the paper towel. This will greatly improve germination....

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HAWTHORNE, Common Crataegus monogyna - PERENNIAL. Shrub in the rosaceae family which can grow to 15-40’. Dark green obovate deeply-lobed leaves that bloom with small pinkish white flowers in May. Small sweet, but mealy red berry-like fruits called haws, rich in anti-oxidants, are collected in winter and can be used for jams, jellies, wine or tea. The leaf, flower and haw are used medicinally as a heart tonic in extract or tea. Can take up to a year to germinate so please be patient! Minimally thorny. SSF. Packet (12 seeds) ...

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Look no further for the perfect gift for your green-thumbed friend! Give them the gift of seeds so they can choose to grow beautiful flowers or sunkissed veggies. Give the gift of a blooming garden!  We offer gift certificates in $25, $40, $50, $100 or $200 values. Just click on the appropriate one to get started.  Thank you! Wishing you all the best, Siskiyou Seeds ON SHIPPING: *Please note this is a physical gift certificate, sent in the mail and as such may take up to 5 business days for order fulfillment. If you wish to purchase an online gift card code sent via email please select the Siskiyou Seeds Digital Gift Card   ...

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Hawthorn, Washington Crataegus phaenopyrum – PERENNIAL Tree like Shrub in the Rosaceae family which can grow to 10-30’ with 1-2” long sharp thorns on branches. Dark green obovate deeply-lobed leaves that bloom with clusters of white flowers in May. Small and shiny orange are sweeter and smaller than the common hawthorne berry-like fruits called haws, rich in anti-oxidants, are collected in winter and can be used for jams, jellies, wine or tea. Use the leaf, flower and haw medicinally as a heart tonic in extract or tea. Excellent hedgerow plant and wildlife food. Can take up to a year to germinate so please be patient! (0.3g) SSF. Packet (1.3g~15 seeds) ...

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Beet, Russian Sugar  (60-65 days)  Beta vulgaris This white sugar beet called Nesvizhskaya, from Belarus Tests 0% for Genetically Modified Organisms. It has a 17-18% brix sugar content and is vigorous and productive. Classically used as fodder for animals, as well as production of sugar. LKF. Packet: (1.5 g. ≈ 200 seeds) Bulk: 1 oz...

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