So we're in the middle of February, the heart of the coldest weather in some places. Seems like we're never going to be warm again.

February 15 2025

Those willows that don't seem to be anything more than a pile of dead sticks are showing buds. And looking closer, there are pussy willows. That, to me, is the first verifiable sign of spring.

I planted several different Salix , or willow, species. Some of them are Salix discolor, which is the pussy willow. I will keep you posted if they produce the pussies, which are the male flowers. They contain a lot of pollen, which is a perfect first meal for bees and other pollinators, and just in time.

Eventually, I'll be able to use all the willow twigs for crafts, like coracle beds, hurdles and trellises, and maybe even some baskets.

Willows are one of the most versatile of all the shrubs you could grow. Coppicing them in the early spring can force a lot of slender twigs to grow. Planting them close together will give them a lot of competition for light, leading them to grow longer to try to out compete their neighbors.

These thinner twigs will be perfect for basket weaving, and if left to grow thicker, they can be used for gates, fences, hurdles and bean poles.

Regardless of what kinds of crafts you want to use them for, the benefits to the environment make them one of the best plants for any garden, plus they are easy to grow from just a stick, plunged into any soft soil.

Plant them carefully, as they are sometimes a bit water greedy, and will find their way into all kinds of pipes and even septic fields looking for it.

When you've built something you're proud of, brag it up! Most groups love to hear what others have been doing, so share your pictures on there with a write up on the project.

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