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Madder: rubia tinctorum a herbaceous perennial is also known as Turkey Red or Rose red. Madder is known for the red pigment, contained within the plant root.
Plants requires two to three years growth to mature for harvest.
Bailiwick Blue offers Dried Madder root in two forms Powdered or chipped, which can be found here
Foliage is green bristly and pointed. Tiny yellow flower clusters are seen in spring and summer, later producing berries.
Sow dried berry in moist seeding compost place in warm location. Seed takes 1 - 2 weeks to germinate. Plant out when seedlings are large enough to handle. Offer plenty of space to each plant and give distance between madder and other plants as Madder is known to be invasive.
Prefers loamy, well fertilized soil. Requires consistent watering. Plants benefit from acidic soil and feeding.
In the first year, train madder to climb if possible though not necessary. Training branches upwards, permits easy harvest of berries in summer and fall months and prevents overcrowding of new self seeded plants. Mature plants can grow to at least a meter in height with roots a over a meter in length.
Thin or relocate plants after first year to ensure easy harvest of roots. Provide 1 square meter per plant / 3 square feet, in the second year.
OR
The method mentioned above requires a great deal of digging. And if digging is not your favourite garden activity and you are wanting to retain all good elements of your soil, I recommend making use of large planters in which Madder can grow alone and the berries can be kept in check to prevent invasion in other areas of your garden.
Growing in a planter will provide the dyer with a simpler task of exhuming roots. simply but digging out the enough of the soil from said planter and tip the balance out onto a tarp.
Madder dyes both protein and cellulose fibers well. Depending on your choice of mordant, fabric / fiber and WOF. The color achieved shifts between vibrant deep reds to deep oranges and sultry peach pink.
Seeds per packet 33
Grown & Harvest in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, GB.
