Basket Willow Planted

 I finally got some more willow planted. I've wanted to do a bed of basket willow since I planted the hybrid stuff over ten years ago.

I got some from a friend and some I got online (from world of willow).

Willow I've planted - Salix Viminalis Brittany Green Harrisons Green Golden Rod Black Maul Golden Deep Purple Austrian Grey

I'm really looking forward to seeing how this lot grows, with plants to maybe increase the area in future years.

Anyone else grow willow for weaving? What's your favourite variety?

Restoring a Hedge Part 2 - Replanting

 So I manged to do a bit more to the hedge I'm restoring last week. I got in the trees I ordered to fill up the gaps. 

I planted a mix of hawthorn and hazel, but also added in a fruit tree in a light patch that we had.

It's not much, but another 60 trees added to our part of Herefordshire and another variety of fruit added to what we're already growing, as I added in a Mirabelle De Nancy in the lighter patch of the hedge. 

I may regret planting so many fruit trees in the hedges in future years, as it'll make laying hedges harder, but not for a long while yet. 

Another Trip To Wales

The last couple of weekends I've spent in Wales with my dad. We've been working but it's been really good fun. 

This weekend just gone started a bit slower though  - 

Dad - "when you come over this weekend do you fancy doing me an extra favour?"

Me - "Go on..." 

Dad - "Would you come here first (an hour extra) and take a trailer with you?"

Me - "Yeah, no probs..."

 So Saturday started like that, a drive for an hour, a hook up to the trailer, then a three hour drive in the pouring rain! 

We got there, spent a few hours unloading, then did a few hours work on the house. That night we were sat having tea in a local pub and dad said "I don't feel like we got much done today..." I had to bite my tongue somewhat! Lol, he's always the same, wants a lot done in a day. He does love a project, so he's been loving doing up this house. 

Half term this week now I'm back, so catching up on my own work, but also doing a few bits with the children hopefully - we've got axe throwing and a burger booked later in the week to "celebrate" two years of our daughter kicking type one diabetes butt. should be fun. 

Feburary Walk Around

Sorry for the lack of posts the last week. I've been busy with articles, work and life. The weekend just gone I went to Wales to help my dad do some building work, a long weekend of it, I had scouts Monday night (fire lighting in the rain) and a talk last night in a village called May Hill! 

Today has been a bit calmer though, the boy is off ill and I managed to take a bit of time off to play a load of games with him this afternoon which was great fun. 

 I did a walk around of the smallholding at the start of the month and didn't share it here, it shows what we've been up to in January. I managed to make it a really productive month and tick off some big jobs from my long list. 

Let me know what you think. 

Anyone else think life just gets busier and busier?

Hereford Seedswap 2025

Not many photos of the actual swap I'm afraid, just a few before it all kicked off. 

As always it's great to be involved in this event. Hundreds of packets of seeds changed hands and I got to see some faces I only see at this event and lots of people I've met at gardening clubs when I do my talks. 

 We had a great talk as well from Catrina Fenton, who is head of the Heritage Seed library. Was really interesting to hear her talk about seed saving and the lengths they go to to keep varieties pure, as well as trying to find new old varieties to save. 

I think seed swaps are amazing things, it feels right, it feels like it's what we should be doing with seeds. Its encouraged me to save more seeds and I'm a far better seed saver because of all these years doing it. I had so many different types of tomato there this year someone said "Ah, so you're the tomato man..." Which made me laugh! 

Do you go to a local seed swap? What was your best find?