Sunflower, Black Dye Helianthus annuus (65 days to flower / 100 days to mature seeds)  A traditional dye crop developed and selected for generations by Hopi farmers in the high desert of Northern Arizona near the Four Corners. Dark black seeds to produce a purple or gray dye for wool and baskets.  It's conceivable that Sunflowers have been a cultivated crop in North America for 5000 years. Sunflowers produce large amounts of nectar and pollen, which are essential for pollinator health and make great forage for birds. Planting an array of sunflowers can help to sustain a wide variety of beneficial insects.  Grows to 6-12' tall depending on fertility and spacing.  Produces a large main flower at the top of the stalk up to 12" across with numerous side branches that flower later with smaller blooms. The seed from the central head is large enough to use for hulling for human consumption or animal feed.  Pictured here is a sample of fabric dyed with the seeds of this sunflower. Check out photographer/ natural dye artist Rachael on her instagram @think_natural_ Packet - 2 1/2 g (~45 seeds) 1 oz * These can also be grown for delicious sunflower sprouts grown in shallow trays (see pictures)  ...

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Zinnia, Red Spider (75 days) Zinnia tenuifolia A fascinating variety to grow if you love zinnias! This is a landrace species from the region of zinnia origin in Mexico. Small (18-24") bushy plants produces masses of 1-1&1/2" scarlet blooms with a raised center.  Single petal form means there is plenty of access for bees and butterflies who delight in this pretty plant. (0.3g ~35 seeds)...

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Zinnia, Tidepool Mix (75 days) This was the outcome of an intentional cross between our Cactus Mix with its wondrous highly doubled, quilled petals and the marvelous Dreamin’ Mix which is an interspecies cross between Zinnia elegans and Zinnia haageana. The resulting progeny will undoubtedly be a wild and raucous combination of the myriad phenotypes possible between this genetic mashup. During the Fall Seed Academy class we went through a field of thousands of plants to select our favorite individuals and that is the origin of the Tidepool Mix, named for the propensity of many of the flowers to resemble sea anemones. Grow it and discover the wonders of nature for yourself. Siskiyou Select Original. OSSI Pledged Packet - 0.4 g (~30 seeds) Podcast Interview describing the breeding behind this project: https://awaytogarden.com/expanding-the-zinnia-palette-with-siskiyou-seeds-don-tipping/  ...

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