Let the blooming begin!

Have you spotted the first signs of spring in your neighborhood? A couple of weeks ago, I saw my first robin in the front yard. Now, crocuses are blooming, daffodils and rhubarb are emerging, and today I noticed buds on the forsythia hedge—spring is here!

With last week’s warm weather, spring fever set in, making it hard to focus on indoor projects. It’s still too early to work in the garden, but I’ve ordered seeds and spent plenty of time planning.

I'm thrilled about the indigo seeds I finally got from Grand Prismatic Seeds Last year, I waited too long and every place I looked was sold out. I plan to try fresh leaf dyeing, which appeals to me more than the traditional vat method. This technique produces more aqua and teal tones rather than deep blue. I can’t wait to experiment—but first, I have to grow the indigo!

Along with indigo, I bought seeds for a new coreopsis—the narrow petals of the 'Mardi Gras" variety should add a fresh shape to my eco-prints. The black magic bachelor's buttons were an impulse buy; they’re so different from the cornflower blue ones I’ve grown before, and they’re a dye plant too!
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