Did you know you can grow: #BlackWalnut

#UGAExtension experts provide information on growing uncommon Southern delights in your own backyard.

By Makenna Reavis

"#GeorgiaUSA is famous for its #peaches, #pecans and #peanuts, but thanks to its mild climate, the state also supports a variety of uncommon and exotic fruits and nuts.

"In a series inspired by University of Georgia #CooperativeExtension publication 'Minor Fruits and Nuts in Georgia,' edited by UGA Extension consumer horticulturist Bob Westerfield, we’ll highlight lesser-known edibles that can thrive in Georgia home gardens.

"This issue's focus is black walnut, a large nut tree native to Georgia and many parts of the eastern United States.

"Historically, the black walnut was a crucial tree for Native Americans, particularly the Cherokee, Delaware and Apache tribes. Indigenous people used various parts of the tree in their daily lives as a key ingredient in breads, soups and puddings. Parts of the bark and leaves repelled bugs and treated snake bites, sores, toothaches and other ailments."

Learn more:
https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/features/did-you-know-you-can-grow-black-walnut/

#SolarPunkSunday #BlackWalnuts #Gardening #WalnutTrees

One more about #DyePlants...

21 Garden Plants to Use as Natural Dyes

You’ve heard of vegetable and cut flower gardens, but what about dye gardens? Dying yarn and fabrics with plant-based dyes allows you to create beautiful hues and develop a new appreciation for plants. If you’re not sure where to get started, join Briana Yablonski to learn 21 plants you can use as natural dyes.

Written by Briana Yablonski Horticulture review by Sarah Jay Last updated: May 1, 2024

"very so often, a new question strikes me. A few years ago, I found myself wondering how people transformed neutral-colored wool, cotton, and silk into shades of pink, blue, and yellow. I knew I could find synthetic dyes in tie-dye kits and commercial clothing factories, but I wondered how people colored their clothing, rugs, and linens before these products existed. Amazingly, many natural plant dyes can be grown right in our home gardens!

While not all natural dyes come from plants, there are more than a handful of flowers, leaves, and fruit that offer beautiful colors. Since dyeing is a chemical process strongly affected by pH, adding materials like soda and citric acid allows you to use one dye source to create multiple colors.

You’re welcome to experiment with natural plant dyes of any species, but some plants are known to produce particularly vibrant colors. Try dyeing with a few of the following plants to see the range of colors the botanical world offers."

Learn more:
https://www.epicgardening.com/natural-plant-dyes/

#SolarPunkSunday #DIY #FiberArts
#NaturalDyes #Dyes #PlantDyes #Amaranth #BachelorsButtons #BlackWalnut #ButterflyPea #Calendula #Canaigre #Cosmos #Goldenrod #Madder

We had rain again overnight and early this morning in what has turned out to be a very wet spring. I may lose a newly planted rose bush. But the wet soil does allow for easy pulling of weeds.

Today I tackled removing a black walnut (Juglans nigra) sapling, though sapling is perhaps not the right word. These trees become quite large very quickly. It appears to have been in its third year of growth, but black walnut sets deep roots. I noticed the tree-to-be only recently, as it is against a wooden fence in an unseen part of the garden. This plant was already approximately 4 ft = 1.2 m in height, and I had to dig 8 in = 20 cm just to get to most of the roots.

After removing this tree, I noticed ANOTHER black walnut next to it. It was smaller, but it proved harder to remove because the tree was right against the fence with the roots on the other side.

The task would have been far more difficult had the ground not been so wet.

#garden #gardening #weeding #BlackWalnut

Four days of #BlackWalnut foraging from a single 100+ year old tree in my yard. I've been filling a plastic shopping bag every day. I'll keep #foraging as long as this tree keeps providing 😊🌳

I've also got a vat of the hulls on the stove for a dye bath. Going to make a test batch of #HandDyed fiber - but first I gotta brush it off of the #AngoraRabbits !

If I like the color it gives me, I'll do another batch with the #linen I grew this year.