Growing basketry willow in North Canterbury, New Zealand

I began planting willow in July 2021. At that time, I had been weaving for seven years and teaching for three. Previously, I had only woven with imported rattan, but I wanted to transition to a sustainable material I could grow myself, knowing exactly how it was cultivated and what chemicals were used in its production.

That winter, I ordered 150 cuttings from Nicola Basham in Golden Bay and embarked on my willow-growing journey. My parents have a lifestyle farm in Amberley, North Canterbury, just ten minutes south of my home, and they generously offered me space to plant my willow in their organic blueberry patch.

I started out with Green Dicks, Red Flanders and Noir de Villaines (which is a right mouthful and I still have trouble pronouncing!).

First, I mowed a strip of land and then covered it with weed mat, as weeds can suffocate the willows if they aren’t controlled during the first year or two.

I made holes through the weed mat, spaced 30 cm apart in a straight line, more or less. Using a pointed metal pole, I dug holes about 20 cm deep, then inserted the willow cuttings, ensuring that 10 cm were above ground.

That was just the beginning! Next came mulching and weeding throughout the year. Since North Canterbury is a drought-prone area, I also had to water the willows consistently.

I had just given birth to my 3rd son the summer before and as you can see in the photo he joined me for my first willow harvest. The first willow harvest was exciting, my reward for the year’s efforts! Willow stools only produce a few rods the first year so I took another 150 cuttings from my first harvest and planted a second row that winter.

In my second year, I had 300 willow stools, but I seriously underestimated the time required to maintain my willow withy. With three young boys, including a toddler, I found it challenging to find the time to weed and consistently water my willows. As a result, my willows were neglected, the harvest was poor, and I vowed to do better the following year!

Story to be continued…