The easiest way to grow willow is to plant cuttings -which are simply sections of a willow rod, about 10” long (25 cm)- which are pushed into the soil. Willows are planted in a compact patch, so the rods have nowhere to go but up, in rows; The rows may be 2’ apart and the spacing in the row about 6” (20cm)
It takes a lot of cuttings to establish a willow patch. Willow does not need good soil and hates being fertilized. Given ample water and enough sun, in a deer-proof area, and it will thrive.
Since willow does not like grass competition as it gets established, one really easy way I have found is to plant willow through cardboard, then cover it with mulch. Make sure to peel off the tape from the cardboard as it will not break down. Poke a hole in the cardboard, push in a cutting , leaving about one inch sticking out, making sure the buds are facing up. The grass all dies, the willows all grow.
It is in the fall that willow hardens, becomes wood. After the leaves have fallen, cut the rods at ground level then store under cover.
Once dried and sorted, prior to weaving, the rods need to be soaked to regain their flexibility. The warmer the water, the faster the soak. About a week in the summer, the rule of thumb being “one day per foot”. Just test the willow to feel when it is ready.
Purchasing Willow
Weavers may purchase dry willow for $7/pound for short willow, and $5/pound for rods six feet or longer. Varieties available are: Salix purpurea, Salix triandra, Salix alba, Salix fragilis (Belgian Red). We do not currently ship willow.