Guest Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 We are making one soon and would love some information and tips. Maybe a variation to design. I hop to build it with the children in a boggy part of the garden Thanks
Guest Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 Hi sunshine - I am going to move this into the nursery settings general issues forum where I feel it will get a better response. Hope that's ok. Linda
Marion Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 We actually got a willow artist in to work with the children and parents to build ours
Sue R Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 Lucky you, Marion - we nearly got one, except found out it was wrong time of year! Maybe when the right time comes again we'll have enough funds Sue
Guest Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 Thats lovely Marion I would love one as we have a really large outdoor area. Does anyone know roughly how much they cost
Marion Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 Our artist works between October and Easter so you need to plan in advance I think it cost around £140 Jayne but it depends on size as she charges for materials and travelling costs. She is based in Hexham so it depends where you are in Durham for distance. http://www.sylvanskills.co.uk/about.htm
Guest Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 Hallo everyone we have just worked with an artist who made an inside den with the kids she made a dome like shape with windows and a door - obviously! then we wove different colour ribbons in and out we can move it around the unit as well she then came back and built an outside one with older children because she said that planting would be hard I will try to add a photo but not sure I can Jo OH DEAR Not only can I add a picture now BUT I can add it twice!!! Jo
Steve Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 Funnily enough we saw some living willow for sale in Lewes today. It was sprouting and apparently ready to be planted (just by being pushed 6" into soil. They came in bundles of about half a dozen and I think each bundle cost about £8 or so. Don't know if that helps. I was sorely tempted to have a bash, but I thought I'd try to find a bit of space in the garden first!
Guest Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 I'm going to have a go at building one from a kit next week. Just got out my clay and grass type sticks to have a go. I'll let you know how I get on!!
Guest Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 Thanks for the link Marion i will defo be in touch. We got £200 donated off our local Parish Council to go in our outdoor development fund so it would be good to show them what we spent it on.
JacquieL Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 You can get living willow for as little as £58 for a small igloo like shape. Type it into Google and you will find lots of places for them. They are best planted before December really.
Guest Posted March 10, 2007 Posted March 10, 2007 Thanks to you all I cant wait to get started I think i prefer the artist rather than trying on my own even though i really enjoy a spot in the garden.
Guest Posted March 11, 2007 Posted March 11, 2007 JosieBrad love your indoor den. Did the artist use willow withies to construct it, or another material? Also what was used to fasten it all together? I would love to have a go at making one of these with the kids! AOB
Beau Posted March 11, 2007 Posted March 11, 2007 We have masses of willows in our garden Steve. You're quite welcome to take as much as you like for free. Of course, there's the small matter of the 600 mile drive........ I've always said I would try making one myself in the garden - maybe I'll do that soon.
Steve Posted March 11, 2007 Posted March 11, 2007 Sounds good Carol. I'll have a think about it! As a matter of interest, can you take the willow from any part of the tree if you wanted to build a living structure? Just stick them in the ground and they root?
Beau Posted March 11, 2007 Posted March 11, 2007 We got ours originally from a friend. They grow very tall and have shallow roots so you need to cut the tops off every now and then to stop them falling over. We got loads of 'tops' which were about 6-8 foot and then cut each down to 2-3 foot and stuck them in the ground. They need to be watered well but ours are growing next to the burn so get plenty of water.
sharonash Posted March 12, 2007 Posted March 12, 2007 Hi Steve Can you tell me where in Lewes your saw the willow I have to go that way this week Thanks Sharon Mean't to mention this website www.willowdomes.com I asked them a few questions by email and they were really helpful
Steve Posted March 12, 2007 Posted March 12, 2007 Yes, it was outside the old pet shop down Cliffe High Street. Over the bridge, past Harveys and about 200 yards down on the right hand side.
Guest Posted March 12, 2007 Posted March 12, 2007 Hi The artist described it as willow but said that it was different to the willow that she would plant outside, which is living willow!!! As for fastening together I think she just sort of wove it together - sorry but I'll have a closer look tomorrow. It is lovely cos we just move it around - inside outside wherever we want it. And we just repair it as we go along. Jo
Guest Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 Hi We too are hoping to make our own living willow structure with the children and parents in our garden. The intention is to gather our own willow from an existing tree we have in the grounds. I understand that it's getting a little late in the year to do this, planting when dormant in February would hve been better, but going to give it a try anyway = the feeling being that we will have fun in the attempt whether successful or not! I read that you need to use 2 year old growth for the supporting part of the structure and then 1 year old growth for weaving to 'build up' the density of the structure. And we'll 'stick it in' 6" deep as per Steve's advice, and just keep everything crossed Apparently, willow is pretty tolerent of most soil types, prefering to be near water if possible though. I'll let you know how we get on and try to post pictures (although haven't attached anything before)
Steve Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 Now then, Sam. If I were you I wouldn't take advice from me without checking with someone else. I'm not known as the Lewes Alan Titchmarsh by anyone as far as I know.
JacquieL Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 And why not Steve amongst your many talents! I think willow is pretty resilient once it gets going and jusr grows and grows. I nearly bought one of these for my garden as I think they are fantastic. After all my grandchildren could play in it. Hubby put his foot down because of mowing the lawn- 'what lawn?' is what I say it is all moss and weeds!
Guest Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 Steve Just thought.........Is that 6" a mans view of 6" or a womans!! (sorry, couldn't resist )
Marion Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 anyone wanting to try it themselves might find this useful http://www.organicgardening.org.uk/factsheets/gg37.php a number of companies will supply kits to do yourself if you haven't got your own willow. http://www.simplywillow.co.uk/willow1/page3.html http://www.willowworks.co.uk/html/willow_structures.html
Steve Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 Ah yes, thanks Sam. I think I meant 6 feet, not 6 inches didn't I?
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