The seagulls and Canadian geese have returned to the river. The temperature readings are all above zero for the long range forecast and everywhere the crust of snow is peeling back, revealing the earth beneath it. This is the moment I have been waiting for. I can finally get to work in the garden.
The first order of business is to try my hand at coppicing. A lot of willow (Salix spp.) grows on my plot and I’m eager to coppice this for fencing material, trellising, material for hugelkultur beds and of course medicine.
From what I understand, coppicing is done when the plant is still dormant in late winter. Bark harvested for medicine in the spring is best gathered just before bud break. The timing doesn’t line up perfectly, but close enough that I’m stacking functions and performing both tasks at the same time.
Willow bark is a wonderful anti-inflammatory herb that can help ease the pain of headaches, sore muscles and achy joints, particularly where there is excess dampness and heat. It can be beneficial as a gargle for sore throats and to stimulate digestion. Rosalee de la Foret has a wonderful write up on willow.
The first order of business is to try my hand at coppicing. A lot of willow (Salix spp.) grows on my plot and I’m eager to coppice this for fencing material, trellising, material for hugelkultur beds and of course medicine.
From what I understand, coppicing is done when the plant is still dormant in late winter. Bark harvested for medicine in the spring is best gathered just before bud break. The timing doesn’t line up perfectly, but close enough that I’m stacking functions and performing both tasks at the same time.
Willow bark is a wonderful anti-inflammatory herb that can help ease the pain of headaches, sore muscles and achy joints, particularly where there is excess dampness and heat. It can be beneficial as a gargle for sore throats and to stimulate digestion. Rosalee de la Foret has a wonderful write up on willow.
I hope to add more videos to the site this year. Here’s my first one!
RSS Feed