Thingamabobs and Whatchamacallits

  DO MY PLANTS SUFFER FROM WIND CHILL?   Wind chill is how cold the air “feels” outside, based on wind speed and the current temperature. For example, the outdoor temperature may be 40˚F but with the wind speed factored in, it may feel like it is 32˚ outside. When it comes to our plants left out in our gardens, wind chill alone should not have any real effect. Plants respond to the actual ambient air temperature, rather than how cold it feels to humans and animals. So, if the wind chill is 32˚F but the temperature is 40, the plants behave according to that 40˚ temperature. With that being said, the wind speed may affect plants—especially in the colder months. Winds can dry out stems and foliage and result in damage. During the colder months of winter, the air is already relatively dry, which often lessens the amount of moisture within the soil and stems of plants. Mixing the already dry air with a dehydrating wind can cause damage. To help lock in moisture and protect ...

  A few (!) years ago (July 2009), I visited the one of the last remaining Woad Farms in the UK, near Dereham, Norfolk – The Woad Barn.   We were greeted by a Great Dane and the owner’s wife, who started showing us around the showroom, then husband Ian came in and took over.   He gave us a very interesting overview of the history and applications of Woad (and Weld, Madder, and other dyeing sources.)   Then we spent time looking around the shop – such beautiful things, and blue is my favorite color!   So, I ordered some Woad seeds from a catalog, and on the afternoon of Jan 30, 2021 I set some seeds in water, to soak overnight prior to planting. Woad is an ancient source of natural blue dye, and I hope to produce enough to use for dyeing. The plant is Isatris tinctoria , a biennial. The blue face markings of all those ancient British warrior tribes such as the Iceni were created with dye from this plant. I plan to document the progress of “my” woad plants, and wi...