Things have slowed down considerably since I last posted. We have had cuttings orders to fill, but the polar vortex intervened and I imagine all anyone could think about was staying warm. Who's volunteering to dig in freezing dirt, not me! Last week the cold spell snapped and we had 70 degree weather and the forecast is calling for highs in the 60s this week. Another year of too early spring feels imminent. And we are not ready.
The willow is hanging tough, though signs of spring are beginning to show. Two varieties have catkins bursting out, with the Rubykins in full pussy willow mode. Just a few Miyabeana are showing the early catkin buds, and they look like copper in the sun, so lovely.
We have started the living willow dome by marking out the perimeter for planting the rods - that will start this week with the extra Miya and some of the other varieties for color. We also put in some early grass seed for the interior, since the rainy season is beginning. I'll post as it grows!
It's going to be a balancing act to get the new beds prepped, harvest the old beds, get the new cuttings planted and get some basic infrastructure in to store the harvest, just in time.
I have been putting ads in Craigslist to offer cuttings and recently put in an offer to pay for a few hours of farm help with $ or willow. No one stepping up yet, but just in case anyone reading this is in driving distance to Old Fort, NC and wants to harvest willow with us, send us an email! We'll be working there starting next week, through March. Come to help a couple of old ladies out and enjoy the wind in the willows - it's a real thing!
Just 2 more weeks to order cuttings!
We will need to close up all cuttings sales in a little under 2 weeks. If you are thinking again about planting willow this spring, check out our willow varieties for sale page. We can harvest and ship as late as March 15th. And check in on our shop site on March 1st for some deals on cuttings - grab bags with mixed and unknown varieties for half price - $10 per 10 pack, just $1 per cutting.
Live Rods available now, but only in WNC
If you are in the WNC area and want to put in a living willow structure or fence, you will need living rods instead of cuttings. Unfortunately, shipping 6 ft+ rods is very expensive, so we will only sell and deliver them locally. Email us with your project ideas and we can give you an estimate. It can cost as little as $20 per 10 foot running length, so consider willow the economy solution for privacy screens and hedges.
Basketry willow will be available this summer
If you are in the WNC area and are looking for basketry willow, just be a little patient. We will start storing the harvested rods to dry til summer. Check back with us around June 15th on Instagram or here on the blog to see pricing and delivery options. Or email us what varieties and quantities you need and we can set them aside for you.