I headed into this year's planting and growing season with HIGH expectations. I had planned to put hundreds of willow starts in the ground and, in fact, limed my soil, hired two teens to lay down my weed block and my irrigation drip tape. We did all that I planned and that is a "smile!" I took a big leap, and I am happy to have done so.
Another "smile" is that I planned and executed two basketry classes this year and there is one more in process through my local arts council. (sign up here: Woven Willow Christmas Decor - Adams County Arts Council (adamsarts.org) I brought in Mary Fraser (in pic below) of Mary Lauren Fraser Basket Weaver (fraserbaskets.com) from the New England area in April, and then I found a wonderful local willow weaver Susan Matson who taught a class in July. I had planned to make 2023 a year where I pursued creativity, and I did. More big leaps!
I pulled out some willow varieties that were not to my liking and I added more willow varieties that were either for florists - Scarlet Curls and Caprea, or for weavers - Americana, Belgian red, x-daphnoides, and Harrison's B. Some flourished and some did not. A "smile" for taking a leap and a "frown" for not getting a soil test of the new area I planted willow starts which ended up yielding very, very little.
And I learned that as good as weed block can be, wherever there was a hole in it, some areas of my fields were overcome by poison ivy. So, a big "frown" as I now reap the fruits of my laziness over the hot, dry summer because I kept putting off weeding.
Now that the dormant period is just around the corner, I am looking forward to reaping the harvest and getting it out to you!
All the best, Julie
(Shipping costs are high so if you want to come to my fields and cut and carry your willow, please contact me at inchbyinchwillows@gmail.com )
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