Heading Towards Harvest

We are approaching harvest. The willow looks beautiful, the leaves are nearly all off, and the plants are dormant. This year our emphasis is on growth: quite literally. Most of the long rods will be made into cuttings and replanted to expand the farm and strengthen future yields. We will have a limited supply of basketry willow for sale this summer, and we expect it to move fairly quickly. The unique thing about willow is the need to give it time. Harvest in January and February is followed by a careful drying period. Willow must fully dry so the circumference of the rods stays the same and your basket doesn’t develop gaps. That is less critical for items like cloches and obelisks, where semi-green willow can work, but it’s crucial for baskets. Willow that isn’t allowed to fully dry before you rehydrate and weave will produce wiggly, unstable baskets: not ideal. Harvesting finishes in February, and dried willow typically is available for sale about five months afterward. Sign up for our contact list and you’ll receive the first notice when dried willow is ready.