{"title":"Run Rig Farm Project","description":"\u003cp\u003eRun Rig Farm Project is going into its fourth year in 2024. (Our name refers to the \"run rig\" system of collective agriculture practiced in pre-enclosures Scotland and Ireland, evoking our land ethic and the ancestry of the seeds we steward). We work on a small scale to ecologically produce flowers, herbs, and seeds, with a special interest in medicinals, aromatics, and dye plants. We value creative collaborations and a non-hierarchical work structure in pursuit of the goal of a solidarity economy. We believe that flowers nourish our spirits and souls, and should be accessible to all, in the spirit of \"bread and roses, too.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstagram: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/runrigfarmproject\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e@runrigfarmproject\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"SGSpiceGallery11415\" class=\"SGSpiceGallery\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"common-flax","title":"Common Flax","description":"\u003cp\u003eSlender stems with delicate leaves branch near the top to produce handfuls of small sky-blue flowers, and later, spherical seed pods. A modest plant alone, when planted in mass, flax creates a striking display and unmatched movement in the breeze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommon flax is an annual plant native to Europe and Central Asia. It has been cultivated since ancient times and treasured for its use as a fiber, medicine, food, and ornamentally. Medicinally, linseeds have been used since the times of the ancient Greeks for their anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. As a food source, linseed oil and flax seeds are both incredibly nutrient rich, notable for their omega-3s. And of course, flax is an important fiber plant; people in the UK have been cultivating flax and crafting linen from it since the 11th century, making linen an important cultural symbol of Ireland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100-120\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75% on 11\/04\/2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlax is easily direct sown. Broadcast with approximately 2 inch spacing and tamp into the earth, around the time of the last spring frost. Flax enjoys full sun. Once growing, it is not a finicky plant and requires very little.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarvest when pods are brown and you can hear the seeds rattle in their pods when shaken. Stems and leaves should be browning, but can still be tinged green. Harvest before plants lodge. Harvest by uprooting the whole plant, and tie in bundles to hang to dry for a couple additional weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Run Rig Farm Project","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43982877556974,"sku":"FIB-001","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/CommonFlax_1sq.jpg?v=1674571029"},{"product_id":"european-vervain","title":"European Vervain","description":"\u003cp\u003eEuropean vervain is an unassuming perennial herb, delicate but mighty. Under the right conditions it can become a dense, groundcover-like herb. The wispy purple flower spikes make a lovely addition to complete any medicinal garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn ancient Celtic culture, European vervain was one of the druids' most sacred plants. They considered vervain a magic plant, and would use it to prophesy. It was believed to protect the garden and those who tended to or surrounded it. It used to grow commonly in the wild in the UK, but now it is quite rare. Herbalists then and now use vervain in a number of ways. It is astringent, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antibiotic, and antiviral. It is employed to lift one’s mood, or as a gentle sedative. It also stimulates production of progesterone, increases milk flow in lactating mothers, and supports PMT and menopause. The flowering tops and leaves can be dried, tinctured, or made into an infusion. It is a gentle herb, but should not be taken when pregnant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso known as Common Vervain, Common Verbena, Herb of the Cross, Prostrate Verbena, Simpler’s Joy, and Holy Herb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Perennial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 125-150\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003etotal viability: 96% on 05\/20\/2026 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e(\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.sbs\/pages\/faq\/#seedviability\" title=\"What is the difference between germination rate and total viability?\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eread more about viability\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrowing notes: European vervain seeds require 2 weeks of cold stratification before sowing, which can be accomplished by sowing in a cold, damp early spring soil, or refrigerated in cold, moist soil before sowing indoors. Sow on the surface of the soil, barely covering but tamping down. Transplant with 1.5 foot spacing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeed harvest timing is a bit tricky; the harvest window is short. Harvest when the seeds are mature but before they jump or fall off the plant and get lost. Therefore, it’s best to harvest when the seeds on the top half on the spike are dry. Cut the stems and allow the seeds to dry down on the stems for a few weeks before shaking all the seeds off and collecting them.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Run Rig Farm Project","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43983275884782,"sku":"HERB-069","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/products\/EuropeanVervain_1.jpg?v=1674573310"},{"product_id":"valerian","title":"Valerian","description":"\u003cp\u003eValerian is a tall and lush herbaceous perennial, native to Europe and Northern Asia. It has been used for medicine for ages, including in Celtic tradition. In medieval times it was called “all heal”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eValerian root is a mild sedative, and is used to treat insomnia. The root can be made into a tea or a tincture. If using for medicine, cut off the flowers as soon as they appear to allow the root to grow to its full potential. (If growing out for seed, let the flowers bloom of course). Harvest the root in the autumn of the second growing year. Valerian combines especially well with St. John's wort, making a nice remedy for anxiety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eValerian enjoys full sun to partial shade and is an easygoing plant that adapts well to a wide range of conditions. Throughout the summer from its second year onward, Valerian has white flowers with a tinge of light pink on stalks five feet tall, attracting many pollinators. Hardy zones 4 to 8.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhotos from Run Rig Farm Project, except for wild valerian root harvest. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to root harvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~500\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 64% on 08\/13\/2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow seeds and firmly tamp them into the surface of your potting soil (they require light for germination). Keep evenly moist until germination. After the emergence of true leaves, up-pot the seedlings into larger pots. Transplant after hardening-off the seedlings, 1-2 feet apart. Roots are dug in the fall of the second year when leaves begin to turn yellow and die back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarvest seeds when flowers have faded, seeds have fattened, and before they blow away on the wind!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Run Rig Farm Project","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44572741697774,"sku":"HERB-080","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/IMG_9717.jpg?v=1704299873"},{"product_id":"woad","title":"Woad","description":"\u003cp\u003eWoad, a member of the brassica family, is native to Europe and Asia. It has been used as a dye plant since the Stone Age. The leaves produce a blue dye and was the main source of indigo dye in Europe until Indigofera tinctoria (true indigo) became available from Asia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWoad dye is particularly symbolic of Celtic tribes, and is often called “Celtic blue.” In Celtic culture, woad was used to dye fabrics and as a body paint. To create pigment, woad leaves must be fermented and oxidized. For dye, the leaves can be harvested in the first growing season. If left for a second year, the biennial plant will grow 2-4 feet tall, and produce a bushy mass of bright yellow flowers. The flowers will then produce large seeds which darken to dark brown, almost black, with maturity. When the seeds are dry they can easily be stripped from the stems and saved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWoad readily reseeds itself. Woad is an invasive plant in the US West. It should not be planted there. Please check your state's regulations before ordering these seeds!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 90 days\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 86% on 10\/20\/2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow 1\/2\" deep in spring or fall, or start in flats and transplant when they have sized up. Space plants 1' apart. Full sun to part shade.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf left for a second year, the biennial plant will grow 2-4 feet tall, and produce a bushy mass of bright yellow flowers. The flowers will then produce large seeds which darken to dark brown, almost black, with maturity. When the seeds are dry they can easily be stripped from the stems and saved.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Run Rig Farm Project","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44572798058734,"sku":"DYE-002","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/IMG_9719.jpg?v=1704301688"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/collections\/RunRigFarmProject.jpg?v=1674574765","url":"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.sbs\/collections\/run-rig-farm-project.oembed","provider":"Truelove Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}