First Beds are in!

We have finally gotten all the purchased willow stalks in the the first bed, and after a good week of rain, they are mostly thriving. Our working area has been mowed and our first planting is done. Mostly. 

I keep talking about digging holes for our 1 year willows still in pots, but we are finding that shoveling more than 2-3 holes at a time is too much for us and too few for the job to get done. More holes for landscaping and fencing are in our future too. Similarly, we have found that our mower is not up to the job of taking down the wild grass and brush on most of the farm. The solution to both is better equipment. A digging auger and a  trimmer-mower are being researched. 

The one year old potted willows slowly added
to the bed. Spindly, but surviving.

I ordered a “grill gazebo” last week which will be a perfect turnkey water shed. It’s just an open structure with a slanted roof. I probably paid more than needed, but the likelihood of us building a structure from scratch in a timely manner is small, so a turnkey kit is the best solution. We’ll add a gutter and piping into a rain barrel, (eventually a 300g water tote) for the summer droughts sure to come. 

Seems unlikely this minute, with the weather calling for 5 days of rain. I can’t believe we were hand watering just a few weeks ago. 

On a personal note, my trauma around rain has virtually disappeared. My house used to flood every time the rain was heavy or prolonged, and my anxiety would shoot up at the sound of it. I used to try to get ahead of the rising water, but it was too much for me. Now that the house is sold, and I have a field of thirsty willow, prolonged rain is… can I say good? Even great! Just getting rid of the house is cause for celebration!

2 days later

We've missed the window for spring camping at the beach, all the parks on the ocean are booked til next fall. We should be looking at mountain getaways anyway, but really, we need to put in a foundation for the water gazebo, mow and dig some more holes. The rain chances have disappeared again. Irrigation is again top of list. 

It’s been a year

4/29/24

… since this project started. I put in a bid on this property around this time last year 

 I offered the asking price, but they got 5 other offers and two offering significantly more. The owners went through due diligence through two of the top offers, but the property failed the perc test required for a reasonably priced septic system so the deal fell through. I found out in early July that I was the last one standing.  

Lucky for me, I only wanted to plant water-loving willow on it. I had started half my cuttings by then and was looking at other properties. 

It took til August 1st to close and because I was simultaneously fixing up my house to sell and recovering from a concussion, I didn’t get a driveway into the property til January. 

So here I am as May begins, and summer is starting early here in WNC, still in planting mode, though the weather is not cooperating. We are driving up to the farm and hand watering every day during a 2 week stretch of dry weather.  “DO NOT LET THEM DRY OUT!” Echoing in my head. We are behind, as in all things, in getting the irrigation system set up. 

I should mention I am 72, my partner is 65. And we live a good hour from the property. I say those things not to complain, but to acknowledge that the plan is not going to plan.  I love ambitious plans, but this one is really testing the 35 year old in my head and my 72 year old back.

All that said, we are just barely keeping up with the watering (skipping cloudy days), and it is supposed to rain today, knock on wood. And, even better, three days of rain this weekend. That means we can plant the last 70 cuttings for this year. And maybe get the water barrels in place.

Has anyone ever mentioned how like surfing this is? Catch a wave (of rainstorms) and you’re sitting on top of the world. (Boomer ref)

4/30

I was up there yesterday with the day’s water rations and decided to prune back a few of the 1 year pot-birthed willows that have gotten bushy. I will want to pollard anyway, so keeping a central rod is my goal. And now, I actually have enough to make a tiny tension tray, the first of my own willow. 

The weather report keeps changing. Fewer days and less chance of rain. Better get on those rain barrels. Planting tomorrow or Saturday. 

5/4

We got the last 70 cuttings in the ground and spread out the last bales of straw to mulch the beds. It spit some rain but held off til we were done. Relief! And it rained almost an inch yesterday - Yay! When timing is right, it’s golden. I wanted to do a few more things, like spread some cover crop seeds and wildflower mix in the open fields, but the unplanted field is getting out of control. We are now talking mowing, in a few days. A rain catchment plan, in the works.  Borrowing an augur from the Tool Library to finish planting the pots. We are also talking vacation. Much needed. 

Hoping to share new growth photos next time!

Music credit: John Scofield, "Down D" Intro