Here We Go Again

I am five years into growing willow. Six? Maybe six.

The willow farming season is offset from almost all other farmed things and so that makes it harder for me to keep track. I think I’m right at the start of my sixth growing season.

Whatever. The point is six years in and I still have a hard time believing they will grow after cutting them straight to the ground during the winter. But rain and sun have come and darn it if those buggers aren’t throwing off little leaf sets that will grow into tall slender rods to be cut down again next year.

I really do think willow is magic. Beautiful. Easy to grow. Gives so much back—cleaner air, fodder for weaving baskets and fencing, pain medication and seems to draw lovely people into my orbit. I’ve said all of these things a million times and I will a million times more.

*Deep sigh. I love me some willow.