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| The pokeberries on the left are ripe for picking! |
August is the perfect month to gather some of the best plants for dying. Pokeberry is just turning ripe and it only happens once a year. The Latin name for this North American native is Phytolacca americana. You have probably seen this weed before, growing along fence lines or along forest edges in parks. The perennial is somewhat weedy because the berries are a common treat to many songbirds, which leave behind the seed miles away from the original plant.
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| Meadowbrook waters swirling around my feet. |
Paul and I found this lovely plant at Meadowbrook Park on the south side of Lexington, KY. The park is home to a small urban stream preserved between homes. After biking down to the park, Paul and I collected hundreds of berries. The foraging trip is one of many reasons I love my job. Paul decided his new title should be “Master Forager”.
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| A native Black Walnut tree with green fruits. |
We also spotted black walnuts, another great source for dyes. Luckily, Paul is tall enough to pluck the green fruits.
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| A handful of pokeberries will soon become dye. |
The dying process will start tomorrow. Check back in to see
the results!
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