I have been organically growing Japanese Indigo (Persicaria tinctoria) on Orcas Island since 2024. I currently grow hundreds of indigo plants from seed to harvest at Rising Oak Farm on Nordstrom Lane with Jesse Herzog. I harvest the leaves, gently ferment them to extract the pigment, and add the beautiful dye to my 30 gallon living vats.
I love to experiment! Since 2016 I have gained lots of experience with several types of indigo dye vat recipes (hydrox, henna, iron, and sugar). The sugar vat is my favorite by far! I really appreciate the simplicity of ingredients: Indigo, Fructose, Slaked Lime, and Water. All natural and a gentle alkaline, my rinse water safely runs into my yard and there is no caustic residue on the fibers or in my environment.
Growing my indigo from seed, tending to the seedlings, planting them into fertile soil, weeding, harvesting, fermenting, and dyeing...I love the entire process and feel incredibly grateful to help steward the land of a beautiful farm.
At this time, I don't grow enough indigo to support my entire business. I supplement with high quality organic indigo from Botanical Colors in Seattle who source from organic cooperative farms in India. If you are interested in learning more about indigo dyeing, I highly recommend their informative website! If you are interested in one day taking a class with me, I encourage you to join my newsletter list!
