ONLINE - Seed to Dye to Seed: A Seasonal Growing Journey

As the days begin to lengthen and the garden slowly wakes, attention turns once again to seeds, soil and possibility.

Each year, the growing season unfolds differently — shaped by weather, time, energy and experience. And yet, for many natural dyers, there is a shared desire: to grow colour with greater understanding, continuity, and care.

On 25 February, we begin our online Seed to Dye to Seed — a guided seasonal journey through the full dye plant cycle.

This is an English-speaking, worldwide community growing together across climates, time zones and garden sizes. Whether you are sowing in a small urban space, working an allotment, or tending larger beds, the series brings structure and shared timing to the season — wherever you are based.

Though we grow in different soils and conditions, we move through the same stages together: seed, leaf, flower, harvest and seed again.

Growing With Intention

Seed to Dye to Seed runs from February through September and follows the natural rhythm of the garden:

• Planning and choosing dye plants

• Sowing and propagating

• Planting out and establishing beds

• Tending plants through the growing season

• Harvesting for colour

• Supporting flowering and seed set

• Processing and storing seed

• Preparing beds for winter with compost and green manures

The aim is not speed or productivity for its own sake.
It is attention.

Growing dye plants offers a different relationship to colour. The work begins long before the vat is created. It begins in soil preparation, in understanding plant health, in learning the timing of leaf and seed.

Live Sessions & Theory Gatherings

Throughout the season, the series includes:

• Live sessions in the garden

• Focused theory Zoom gatherings

• Practical discussions around plant health, seed stewardship, and disease management

• Indigo harvest sessions

• End-of-season clearing and soil preparation

These sessions are grounded in real conditions — not idealised gardens, but working spaces shaped by weather, pests, success, and adjustment.

Participants can join live or return to recordings as needed. The rhythm of the series supports those growing in beds, allotments, or containers alike.

From One Season to the Next

The title Seed to Dye to Seed reflects more than a single growing year.

It speaks to continuity.

Growing dye plants is not only about harvest. It is about understanding population sizes, selecting strong plants, managing seed responsibly, and preparing the soil for what comes next.

By the end of the series, participants will have moved through the entire cycle — from first sowing to seed saving and winter rest — with a clearer sense of timing, plant health, and long-term resilience.

Who Is This For?

This series is designed for:

• Beginner growers who want structure and guidance

• Experienced gardeners interested in seed stewardship

• Natural dyers wishing to deepen their understanding of plant material

• Anyone seeking a steady seasonal rhythm rather than isolated workshops

Whether you are growing woad, indigo, madder, weld, or a mixed dye garden, the focus is on observation, management, and thoughtful practice.

Joining the Series

Seed to Dye to Seed is included with Full Membership in the Academy. A season ticket option is also available for those who prefer to join just for the growing journey.

We begin on 25 February.

If you are planning to grow dye plants this year and would value moving through the season with guidance and shared timing, you are warmly welcome to join us.