From Field To Harvest
Every bundle of willow begins its journey here on our Somerset farm, where we still grow, harvest, and prepare our willow the same way willow growers have been doing for over fifty years. Although modern machinery helps us with planting and harvesting, the rest of the process, sorting, drying, and bundling, is still carried out entirely by hand. It’s a labour-intensive craft that relies on experience, producing the same high-quality willow that generations of basket makers have trusted for decades.
Planting
Each spring, we plant thousands of willow cuttings, known as setts, into carefully prepared rows across our fields. These young cuttings quickly take root and, once established, a willow bed can thrive for up to fifty years before needing to be replanted.
Because mature beds continue to produce strong, healthy rods year after year, we don’t need to replant the same ground annually. Instead, we plant new areas each season to replace older plots or to expand our growing area in line with demand. Newly planted beds receive a little extra care, regular weeding, protection from deer and hares, and plenty of attention to help them establish well for decades of future harvests.
Harvesting
By late November, when the leaves have fallen, it’s time to harvest. We use a rubber-tracked harvester to minimise soil damage during the wet winter months. The willow is cut, gathered, and left to dry naturally outdoors before being brought under cover ready for sorting.
Sorting
Once dry, the willow is sorted by hand using a traditional wooden drum set into the floor of our sorting shed. Each rod is measured and grouped by length and thickness. This careful, hands-on work ensures every bundle we prepare is consistent and ready for the next stage.
Boiling
To create buff willow, the smooth, chestnut brown material prized by basket makers, the sorted willow is boiled overnight in a large steel tank. The heat brings out the natural tannins and softens the bark. The willow is then lifted out steaming ready to strip.
Stripping
Each bundle is stripped by hand using a mechanical stripper, one end at a time. This removes the softened bark to reveal the clean, flexible willow beneath. Stripping is a traditional process that takes patience and skill, and it gives each rod a beautifully smooth finish.
Drying
After stripping, the willow is stood outside against wire fences to dry naturally in the sun and wind. This gentle air drying helps preserve the natural colour and strength of each rod. In good weather, it only takes a few days before the willow is ready to handle.
Bundling
Finally, the finished willow is weighed, tied into bundles, and stored ready for sale. Each bundle represents months of care, from field to harvest and is ready to be woven into baskets, sculptures, furniture, or any number of creative projects around the world.
From the soil beneath our feet to the finished bundles leaving our yard, every stage of our process reflects our commitment to quality, sustainability, and craftsmanship.