We spent a very sunny afternoon planting 1,500 willow whips in the far corner of our field. Rather than just putting an evenly spaced square plot we designed it with a very aesthetically satisfying organic curvy edge ... after all, it will be part of the view from our bedroom window. Then we thought, 'lets make this a fun place to walk and play as well as a fuel and basket making resource' .... so we laid out three twisty footpaths that lead to a central circular grassy clearing just the right size for a family picnic, or a secret quiet retreat.
As well as the fast growing species of willow which is ideal for multi fuel burning to heat our home, we have also planted among the copse a couple of hundred brightly coloured species perfect for basket weaving.
Some are a blast of sunshine yellow, others a fire blaze of oranges, we have earthy peaty chocolate browns and rich ruby reds. Now all I need to do is to learn how to make a basket!
In a month or two the willow will begin to sprout into leaf, making our design easier to see on the ground. It will be 4 or 5 years care before they are ready to begin harvesting for firewood, but much sooner for taking whips to make baskets and willow sculptures. Our friend Brenda will be running a course this year on how to make a living willow sculpture, you can have a look at the one she made for us last December here.
Ok, I'm going to show my ignorance, not being from around here and all....what do these types of willows look like when they're grown? I can't envision anything besides a huge willow tree. But, what I CAN envision is some lovely baskets being made from those beautiful colours! Yep, you're gonna have to get crackin' on basket weaving lessons....
Posted by: Cheryl | March 15, 2007 at 03:58 PM
Sounds like a great project. Where did you get the willow whips from?
Posted by: Tom | March 16, 2007 at 04:47 PM
Those are long whips. I usually cut 10-inchers myself. You could have cut them in half and got twice the trees!
I grow golden, ossier and grey willow here in Kerry. All for chipping and burning. I won't allow basketry in the house. It's a breeding ground for psocids.
Because of tremendous winds here. I put my cuttings in newspaper pots for a few months and under plastic or indoors. When the weather is milder then they will be put outside.
You seem quite sheltered there. If I had whips as far out of the ground as you the wind would catch them and wiggle them around. That would kill the young roots. I'm sure you'll be okay there. The norm though is just for an inch or two sticking out of the ground.
A tip is to cut the willow right back after the first year and they grow more vigorously the subsequent year. I trimmed back a golden willow after year one and a year later the cutting had 20 whips growing, an inch thick in some cases and over 8 feet long!
Posted by: James | March 17, 2007 at 01:07 AM
Bit late turning up here! Many congratulations on the new blog / venture. Would love to one day sit round your kitchen table for one of your workshops. (Couldn't cope with putting the piglet in the freezer though!) Such a pity we are divided by the Irish Sea, never mind who knows maybe one day. Anyway best of luck.
Posted by: carolyn | March 18, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Great blog Rebecca! I've plans to put a (small) willow house up in the garden next winter, so I'll be very interested to see how yours comes on.
Good luck with the polytunnel, but make sure you have one person at the party on camera duty (not a child, if you want the tops of everyone's heads in shot!). Would you mind if I send you a questionnaire about it in a few months?
Posted by: hedgewizard | March 19, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Hello, lovely site. I'm also interested in where ye bought the willow whips. Any info gratefully received.
Posted by: John | March 19, 2007 at 02:13 PM
hi there great blog
Have you seen Steve Pickups willoow sculptures? when I did my permaculture course I met him as he lives on the farm and worked with him pruning the willow it was great fun I only wish I had the space!
Posted by: antony | March 19, 2007 at 02:43 PM
What fun!
Posted by: Cakes | March 20, 2007 at 03:53 AM
sounds like a dreamy place....
Posted by: kristin | March 20, 2007 at 02:12 PM
Hello everyone and thanks for the warm welcome.
The willow whips are bought for 20c per whip from a local couple who have a large collection of willow species in their woodland garden. Anyone interested in contacting them please email me and I'll pass on details [email protected]
I understand that the Organic Centre is Rossinver County Leitrim also have a large collection for sale at
www.theorganiccentre.ie
Of course you could in theory take clippings from hedgerows, although it would be wise to ask permission of the landowner first, and ensure only a few whips per plant are taken to avoid making the hedge livestock proof! It also takes an awful long time and a long long lane in which to collect 1.500 whips. Goat willow isn't suitable for willow or biofuel, it has a slow growth rate giving short whips and lots of branching.
Left to grow willow will take on the form of a tree, or if clipped, a bush. When coppiced (this means pruning it down to near a few centimeters above ground level in winter) it will then throw up multiple shoots (whips) ideal for basket weaving. Leave them grow five years or so and the straight whips have thickened enough to harvest for firewood.
Thats the theory, stay tuned for evidence!!!
Posted by: Rebecca (living sustainably in rural Ireland) | March 20, 2007 at 03:24 PM
hi guys
how far apart is recommended spacings between each plant and each row
Posted by: barry brennan | January 29, 2008 at 02:35 PM
hi.i would like you to let me know if you have courses comeing up in the new year.wishing you a happy holliday.patrick
Posted by: patrick grant | December 15, 2008 at 05:13 AM
You need beautiful Fast Growing Trees, Perennial Flowers, or bearing-age Blueberry plants, our state certified plant nursery has the quality you trust.
Posted by: buy flowering plants | December 07, 2009 at 07:46 AM