Every bundle of willow we sell begins long before harvest — it starts here, in the Somerset Levels, as we prepare the ground for a new crop. Preparing a field for willow is one of the most important stages of our work. The care we take now determines the strength, colour, and flexibility of the rods that will become the weaving materials, basket making supplies, and wicker bundles our customers rely on.
The Somerset Landscape
Our fields sit in the heart of the Somerset Levels — low-lying, fertile land shaped by centuries of rivers and silt. This landscape provides the perfect combination of rich soil and natural moisture that willow loves. Each winter, when the land rests, we walk the fields and plan where the next crop will go. Choosing the right ground means choosing the right future for our weaving willow — balancing healthy soil, good drainage, and easy access for harvesting.
Preparing the Ground
Before any planting begins, we prepare the soil carefully. The ground is ploughed and cultivated to loosen the top layer, helping the new roots establish quickly. Clean, well-structured soil is vital for healthy growth, so we keep it free of coarse grasses and weeds that compete for nutrients.
Once ready, we mark out the planting rows — spaced to allow each stool room to grow tall and straight. This spacing is crucial for producing uniform rods that later become our willow bundles, ideal for basket weaving supplies and weaving materials of consistent quality.
Planting Our Willow
Planting begins during the colder months, while the willow is dormant. Each cutting comes from our own stock — selected for strength, colour and flexibility. Every one is planted by hand, buds facing upward into the moist soil of the Levels.
It’s a slow and steady process, guided by experience and weather. As we work, we follow the same rhythm and techniques used by generations of Somerset growers before us — a connection to the land and to craft that has remained unchanged for centuries.
Nurturing a Healthy Crop
Through the first growing season, our focus is on helping the young willow establish strong roots. We manage weeds carefully and monitor soil moisture, allowing the plants to thrive. By the end of the second year, the stools are well settled, sending up tall, flexible rods ready for harvest.
These rods will later be cut, sorted, and graded by hand — becoming the high-quality willow bundles that form the foundation of our weaving supplies and basket making materials offered online and through our workshop.
From Field to Workshop
Every action we take in the field shapes the final product. The consistency of our weaving materials depends on careful cultivation, thoughtful management, and a deep respect for the land. When you order from us, you’re not just buying raw material — you’re sharing in a process that begins in the soil and ends in the hands of makers, schools, and communities across the UK.
Sustainable by Nature
Willow is naturally renewable. Once planted, the stools regrow year after year without replanting, locking carbon into the soil and supporting biodiversity across the Somerset Levels. This cycle of growth and harvest allows us to continue producing sustainable wicker supplies and basket weaving materials with minimal environmental impact — a balance between tradition, craft, and care for the land.
