To get the blue pigment from woad, it is important to use leaves from the plant's first summer. Harvest the leaves in late July and August, preferably during a warm spell. Leaves need to be fresh and should be used as soon as possible after harvesting as the pigment can deteriorate rapidly.

How do you harvest woad for dyeing?

There are two ways you can go about picking the leaves during a first season woad dye harvest. You can either remove the entire rosette, leaving just the roots intact, or you can pick only the largest leaves, the ones that are 6 inches (15 cm.) or longer, and leave the shorter leaves in the middle of the rosette.

How do you process woad?

Woad plants are ready for harvest in the summer months. Take the leaves from the base of the plant and then cut them into small pieces. Submerge the torn or cut leaves in a stainless steel pan of water and bring up to a temperature of 175F (80C). Simmer for about 10 minutes.

How long does woad take to grow?

Easy to grow, Woad germinates in 1 to 2 weeks. Thin or transplant seedlings 30cm (12in) apart when they are large enough to handle.

How do you get blue from woad?

Aerating the vat

The woad vat now needs to be aerated to precipitate the pigment. To aerate the vat, whisk with an electric whisk or a manual one. Some people pour the liquid from one saucepan to another. I usually whisk for 10 minutes with an electric whisk until the froth turns blue and then green again.

Growing, harvesting & extracting our own Woad dye pigment to naturally colour cold process soap blue

What color does woad produce?

Woad is also the name of a blue dye produced from the leaves of the plant. Woad is native to the steppe and desert zones of the Caucasus, Central Asia to Eastern Siberia and Western Asia (per Hegi) but is now also found in South-Eastern and Central Europe and western North America.

Is woad the same as indigo?

Woad was, and still is, the native European source of indigo blue dye. ... This is confusing as the blue colouring matter in woad is the same as the blue colouring matter in “indigo”, but the dye is much less concentrated in woad leaves, which is why “indigo” eventually largely replaced woad in Europe.

Is woad easy to grow?

Woad is the easiest source of blue for dyers in the Northeast to grow, since it is perfectly happy with the length of our typical growing season. Other plants that yield blue, including Japanese indigo or dyer's knotweed (Polygonum tinctorium), require a longer growing season and need protection in the spring and fall.

What zone does woad grow in?

Woad is hardy in zones 4 through 8. When to sow woad seeds will depend on your location. Generally, woad seeds are planted in early spring (March) directly in the garden in warmer climates or in seed trays in cooler climates. Planting woad seeds in spring usually will result in a good harvest by fall (Sept-Oct).

Does woad dye fade?

Indigo, or woad indigo, is a unique dye. The extraction process reflects the different molecular characteristics of indigo, as compared to other natural dyes. As an example, blue jeans fade where the fabric is physically rubbed. Most other natural dyes fade equally in sunlight, and minimally when rubbed.

Can you dye with dried woad leaves?

The process of dyeing with woad is similar to dyeing with the indigo plant. The pigment contained in the leaves is not soluble in water, so to be dissolved, it must undergo a chemical change - reduction. First removed from the dye pot, it combines with oxygen in the air and reverts to the insoluble blue.

Does woad grow in the US?

Native to southeastern Russia, dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria) is now invasive across the intermountain West of the US. ... Dyer's woad often grows on dry, coarse-textured, rocky soils.

Is woad a hallucinogen?

"The blue part of the Woad is not any sort of hallucinogen, despite lore to the contrary. The raw sap crushed from fresh Woad leaves sometimes causes surface skin numbness, slight dizziness, and in certain bloodlines, a vague impression of less danger or more confidence.

How do you harvest woad seeds?

Harvest the pods when they are dry and purple. Store the seeds in the pods. The pods contain a germination inhibitor. Remove the seeds from the pods before planting.

Can you freeze woad leaves?

The leaves must be frozen as soon as they have been collected and they must be completely frozen before they are used, so they should be left in the freezer for as long as this takes. They can also be left in the freezer for a longer period, if you don't want to use them immediately.

Where can I find woad leaves?

Woad Leaves can be bought from Wyson The Gardener who can be found in Falador Park. He will sell the player 1 Woad leaf for 15 coins, or 2 Woad leaves for 20 Coins. They are used to make Blue dye when given to Aggie in Draynor Village along with 5 coins.

Can you grow woad in pots?

Woad plants like an alkaline soil, so apply lime to the soil about a week before transplanting. ... If your area is infested with club root, you may get away with transplanting the woad into pots, letting it grow for a couple of weeks or more and then transplanting it into the final position.

What climate did woad grow?

Woad (Isatis tinctoria) is a hardy member of the Brassicaceae (also called Cruciferae) family. It is easily cultivated in any reasonably temperate climate (zones 3 to 8), but it requires fertile soil and plenty of sunshine for greater dye production.

What is woad What is it used for?

Medicinal Woad Uses

Medicinal woad plants have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine because of their antibiotic and antiviral properties. There is some evidence that woad is also medicinally active against fungal infections, cancer cells, and parasites and reduces inflammation.

How do you care for a woad plant?

Cover lightly with soil and keep moist. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them outside, leaving a foot of space between each. Woad likes an alkaline soil, so an application of lime, one week prior to planting, will give them the proper soil pH. Keep the woad seedlings moist.

Can you grow woad indoors?

Growing Woad

I started them indoors last March and planted them out when the frost started to lessen in early April. The ones I planted out after the last frost did better and gave me an extra harvest, so this year I'll plant them out later.

Does woad grow wild?

Woad grows wild in roadsides, ditches, pastures, fields, forest edges, and almost any other open space. It is a very competitive plant that can colonize rapidly. ... Manual woad control is difficult due to the plant's deep taproot. The thick root can grow up to 5 feet (1.5 m.)

Why did Celts use woad?

Julius Caesar once noted that the Celts got blue pigment from the woad plant and that they used it to decorate their bodies. ... It has also been theorized that the real use of woad was perhaps intended to heal the scars after the battle.

Does woad stain skin?

This process will not stain skin, but it can be difficult to remove completely all at once. It can typically be removed with a baby wipe or with soap and water. Woad comes off oily skin more easily than dry skin.

What Colour dye does the woad plant yield?

WOAD (Isatis tinctoria)

It is native to Northern Europe and the British Isles. It is closely related to broccoli and cabbage. Both indigo and woad provide us with a beautiful blue dye. The chemical which gives the blue dye is called indigotin.