Throwing your hat over the wall

The first 28 starts, 3 months old

This last winter, I decided that I was ready to order the willow stakes. I ordered them from Lakeshore Willow in Canada in January - 10 each of 7 varieties - and they shipped in March. They sat in the fridge until April when I managed to find enough 10" deep pots (or close to) to start 4 each of the 7, or 28 stalks, 2 to a pot (that's about 6-8" between them).. This was all predicated on the decision to go ahead and look for land this spring. I thought we could find some property before the end of the summer, and plant the first starts before the winter. 

Luckily, for the willow, we had a wet spring, and every single stalk had buds bursting forth after about 8-10 days. And most of them are going gangbusters now, 3 months later, with just a few exceptions. They are doing so well in the pots that I went ahead this week and planted the rest, splurging on nursery pots and lots of bagged dirt. 

The second batch of 42, a few days old
 and several are already budding!

Can I also mention, those cat litter totes make great -deep- planting pots. 

I haven't spent that much on this venture yet, under $400 for everything, which is good, since the property will be very cost-heavy. 

The excitement of watching these stalks turn into graceful willow fronds really made me anxious to find some land for them to live on! That's the value of the commitment, stepping up and making it happen. It nudges you to take the next step.

Due Diligence ends this week and closing is in August!