How to start Growing WIllow

The questions I’m asked most often are: How do I start growing willow? How much space do I need, and which varieties should I plant?

While there’s no single right answer, here are some key points to help you get started.

How Much Willow Do I Need?

A single willow plant produces rods of different lengths and thicknesses. A healthy plant in full production (after about five years) will produce 10–30 rods per year. A small basket can use around 120 rods, and not all rods will be suitable, so you need more plants than you might expect.

Willow is usually planted at:

• 30 cm (1 ft) between plants

• 60 cm (2 ft) between rows

That’s about 5 plants per square metre. If you have the space, ¼ acre is a very good long-term aim. Most basket makers quickly discover they never grow enough willow!

Start Small

Not all varieties will grow well in every location, and not all are pleasant to work with. Start by planting a few varieties, see how they perform in your soil and climate, and notice which rods suit the baskets you want to make. You can always take cuttings later and expand your beds.

Choosing Varieties

Stick to willow known to be good for basket making — flexible, thin rods that don’t grow too tall.

In general:

• Viminalis: too tall, better for structures

• Purpurea: fine rods, but more disease-prone

• Triandra: reliable, easy to strip, good all-rounder

• Rubra: hybrids, generally disease-resistant

• Alba: great colour, can grow tall

Where to Plant

Willow needs:

• Full sun

• Moisture

• No competition from trees or weeds (especially in the first few years)

Avoid very rich soil — it encourages tall growth that’s less useful for basketry. Willow likes water but won’t survive with its roots submerged for long periods. Also think about access, as harvesting happens in the wettest months.

How to Plant

Plant willow from cuttings:

• Push at least 20 cm (8 in) into the ground

• Leave a similar length above the soil

Leaves appear in spring, followed by new shoots.

Experiment

There’s no one correct way to grow willow. Try things out, observe what works, and adapt over time. Growing your own willow is a learning process — and a very rewarding one.