A garden is full of color! Join us as we explore a variety of plants that can be grown in the garden to use as dye. There are many plants in the garden that are easy to grow in the Pacific Northwest’s climate. This class is geared towards garden educators but is open to everyone. In this class, we will:

• Explore plants in the garden that can be used for natural dyes and how to create your own rainbow garden.
• Demonstrate how to dye using fresh indigo leaves in a salt massage.
• Demonstrate how to make dye baths using marigold flowers and onion skins and beets.
• We’ll provide a tea towel for you to dye and take home. Want to dye something else? Bring one small item made of natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, or silk. Think handkerchiefs, tea towels, tank tops, baby onesies, or small tote bags.
• We will provide examples of how to do this with students and young people.
• 2 clock hours are available for teachers. Tilth Alliance is an approved WA OSPI clock hour provider.

This is an in-person, hands-on class. We will tour the Children’s Garden at Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands and discuss how to incorporate plants for dyeing into the garden.