tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post5226697499485350953..comments2024-03-28T08:07:59.056+00:00Comments on An English Homestead: Grow Your Own Materials - WillowKev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-82385407262186752015-03-02T08:38:32.626+00:002015-03-02T08:38:32.626+00:00Kev, take some willow twigs and some things you wa...Kev, take some willow twigs and some things you want to root... put them all together in the same container full of rain water... remove the willow once it gets too rooty or might tangle with the ones you want to get going... don't change water, just keep topped up with rainwater.<br />Works a treat! And you have it on site, so it is FREE!<br />And you get up to half a dozen more willows to plant as well!! The bark works too... but you don't get the extras!!<br />I keep dried bark in a jar for aches and pains... tastes foul... use honey to sweeten, tastes great!!Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16439261142732764451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-67037403422292510502015-03-01T21:04:14.492+00:002015-03-01T21:04:14.492+00:00I'm really interested in using it as a rooting...I'm really interested in using it as a rooting hormone, it would be interesting to do a comparison between the brought hormone and the willow one, maybe I should do a test in the spring? Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-90577906093769725302015-03-01T21:03:03.969+00:002015-03-01T21:03:03.969+00:00My old clump of bamboo at my last house was a nigh...My old clump of bamboo at my last house was a nightmare, we couldn't get rid of it, it would come up 10ft away in the lawn! Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-14295432220735923072015-03-01T21:02:17.180+00:002015-03-01T21:02:17.180+00:00A swap sounds like a great idea, we'll see how...A swap sounds like a great idea, we'll see how they do this year and then swap next winter! I guessed you were the same on facebook! <br />Sounds like a good use of your space, the willow will produce so much for you to use and can grow on such bad bits of land. I'm looking forward to mine growing and what we can make from it. I almost went on a course last year (A WI one) but I couldn't get child care so it was a no go, maybe next time!Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-82004697655225965132015-03-01T20:59:15.752+00:002015-03-01T20:59:15.752+00:00I think you need to put the bases in the fire to s...I think you need to put the bases in the fire to singe it to stop it growing, either that or remove all the bark. They do look good when they're well made but I've not used any yet.Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-50579782431320383362015-03-01T20:57:24.218+00:002015-03-01T20:57:24.218+00:00I've read about the asprin before but never tr...I've read about the asprin before but never tried it. It also makes a rooting compound as well, I might try that this year if I get chance.Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-57860069381314676442015-03-01T20:56:41.574+00:002015-03-01T20:56:41.574+00:00I've ordered a few evergreens as well to plant...I've ordered a few evergreens as well to plant down there for a bit of a shady grove!Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-58596899192598489252015-03-01T20:55:47.673+00:002015-03-01T20:55:47.673+00:00There's many things I could make but I doubt I...There's many things I could make but I doubt I'll find the time! It will be interesting having it there if we want it.Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-25476619584383097272015-03-01T20:55:02.049+00:002015-03-01T20:55:02.049+00:00There's some out by Worcester that's the s...There's some out by Worcester that's the same, I think for that type of thing they cut it much younger and more often.Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-72640244043051819242015-03-01T20:53:37.438+00:002015-03-01T20:53:37.438+00:00Yeah, I planted some last year as well, every year...Yeah, I planted some last year as well, every year I plant more and more trees! One day I'll run out of room!Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-78951451516654895812015-03-01T20:53:00.270+00:002015-03-01T20:53:00.270+00:00No worries, I was really impressed with them. They...No worries, I was really impressed with them. They don;t have to take up much room really, if you pollard them at three foot high animals could graze under them.Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-31625311937803229702015-02-28T15:53:26.456+00:002015-02-28T15:53:26.456+00:00I love willow! It is also useful as a painkiller l...I love willow! It is also useful as a painkiller like aspirin. Cut some strips of bark and place it over a wound and it will reduce the pain and help it heal. Drink a tea from the bark for other pains, such as a headache. Finally, a natural rooting hormone can also be made using willow. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11842761628328461778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-75066386097441139502015-02-28T13:37:40.182+00:002015-02-28T13:37:40.182+00:00thank you. i didn't know there were a myriad o...thank you. i didn't know there were a myriad of willow types.<br />i've read about pollarding and am very interested.<br />bamboo is useful but the only cold weather variety is invasive, so willow would be better. also gives you 'aspirin' in a pinch.deb harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05110992898072146282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-70153105937797055182015-02-28T11:22:30.677+00:002015-02-28T11:22:30.677+00:00I'm so excited to hear that you discovered Wor...I'm so excited to hear that you discovered World of Willow and ordered some cuttings. I can highly recommend them, Gwen who runs the place certainly knows what she's doing and packages everything so well and with a nice printed leaflet all about the varieties. I went on a one day basketry course last summer, got hooked, and ordered some basket willows from World of Willow this spring.I got them in about a month ago. I only have a very small space for them, about 10 feet by 4 feet, behind our coalshed so I only got ten cuttings (although some of the packets had more in!). The varieties I have are Dicky Meadows, Caliantha, Eugenii, Violet Willow and Brittany Green. I also have some cuttings of local Golden Willow that seems to grow wild around here, and also Purple Willow and because I don't have room in my garden have had to resort to a bit of secret 'guerilla gardening'. (our allotments don't allow permanent crops). I also got some 'ready made' willow last year from Somerset Willows to practise basketmaking with, it's a lot easier than the natural stuff if you're learning. But it's going well, I now have baskets for shopping, gardening, a 'basketmaking tools' basket, a couple for socks and nicks as they come off the victorian airer hanging over the stairwell (I pinched your idea, it's brilliant), a 'hands free' peg basket designed by myself, a blackberry basket, and more on the way. I warn you Kev, it's addictive once you start! So later on, if you want any cutting swaps of ones either of us haven't got that would be great. I'm glad you are using the weed matting this time. I'm using old compost bags turned inside out, and some flattened cardboard boxes! (By the way, I am one and the same person who posted on your facebook, that's my maiden name). Best of luck with the planting and roll on Spring!Sue Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16463317651625459406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-74412463355563197532015-02-28T11:17:11.783+00:002015-02-28T11:17:11.783+00:00You could have a side line in willow plant support...You could have a side line in willow plant supports! I keep meaning to go and look out for some free willow to make the supports but, am worried they would sprout in the garden! I'm sure there is something one can do to the bases to stop this but, haven't come across it yet, any ideas? Sandies' Patchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11022362234675324965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-63447877856666003842015-02-28T00:37:14.078+00:002015-02-28T00:37:14.078+00:00A good tree around here supposedly are Green Ash f...A good tree around here supposedly are Green Ash for quick growth firewood. Did any of your Willow information mention the inner bark made a natural aspirin substitute? I didn't see it mentioned in your post.<br />PioneerPreppyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09269878017447335944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-36132337853849901942015-02-27T16:20:19.742+00:002015-02-27T16:20:19.742+00:00We have evergreens planted to buffer the cold wint...We have evergreens planted to buffer the cold winter winds..helps to keep the house a (weeny) bit warmer.<br />Jane xJane and Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08102086552682194819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-53155232080222064062015-02-27T15:06:32.297+00:002015-02-27T15:06:32.297+00:00You could make garden trugs with the willow Kev. ...You could make garden trugs with the willow Kev. northsider https://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-32472988571840332182015-02-27T13:50:05.000+00:002015-02-27T13:50:05.000+00:00There's a field of willow just down the road. ...There's a field of willow just down the road. about 5 acres I guess, planted 3 years ago when a local factory built a bio-plant to generate electric. It's been harvested once 2 years ago, think it must be a 2-year crop, don't know the variety, but it's about 8' high in 2 years.cumbrianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10047500383078884463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-10346237907751813172015-02-27T13:00:58.749+00:002015-02-27T13:00:58.749+00:00Thanks Kev I have now put in an order as its somet...Thanks Kev I have now put in an order as its something I have been thinking for for some time :-)Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05213759909336433460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3078806588853616263.post-32921303151259546952015-02-27T09:49:52.032+00:002015-02-27T09:49:52.032+00:00Very interesting post, and very interesting also w...Very interesting post, and very interesting also was the World of Willow website. I don't think we have room to grow willow because we need our land to graze animals on, but I might try and grow some in the field corners. Thanks for the info Kev.Verahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13235143664894609891noreply@blogger.com