PS – do you have a soap recipe anywhere? I tried one from an australian blog but it didn’t quite work and I think maybe the difference in climate might have something to do with it. Thanks
Unfortunately I have not got a recipe for soap as I always make mine from vegetable glycerine as this is much milder and my skin is sensitive. It is spoken of as a melt and pour method…I hope this helps!
Thanks so much for the last few days. I find this blog truly inspirational. You must have a slightly warmer climate than I do here in Connemara because your blossom is further on. I was interested in the feature on willow because I planted a lot of willow about 7 years ago. It was supposed to be biomass but it doesn’t look anything like yours – it looks more like the willow you showed us on the little bridge although not all of it has the yellowy brown stem. How can i tell the difference when I am not an expert in willow? Should I have done something to make it turn into biomass? Many thanks
There are over 330 varieties of willow, with many more appearing annually. This is due to cross pollination…bees are busy and wind pollination occurs a lot in the spring! I would advise you to keep a notebook on your garden, inserting photos or sketches of details of trees and willow for identification when you can access info readily. I have found this to be really useful! Willow has many different ID formulae, including catkins…I hope this is helpful!
Colx
Thanks for posting these lovely pics. Could you tell me the name of the tal white spike, looks a bit like a hollyhock but the leaves don’t seem to be right. The polytunnel looks stunning, as do all the varieties of green with the splash of red, the moss covered steps look like a path to a secret dell and the living willow is lovely. Really made my morning! 🙂
PS – do you have a soap recipe anywhere? I tried one from an australian blog but it didn’t quite work and I think maybe the difference in climate might have something to do with it. Thanks
Unfortunately I have not got a recipe for soap as I always make mine from vegetable glycerine as this is much milder and my skin is sensitive. It is spoken of as a melt and pour method…I hope this helps!
Hi Colette,
Thanks so much for the last few days. I find this blog truly inspirational. You must have a slightly warmer climate than I do here in Connemara because your blossom is further on. I was interested in the feature on willow because I planted a lot of willow about 7 years ago. It was supposed to be biomass but it doesn’t look anything like yours – it looks more like the willow you showed us on the little bridge although not all of it has the yellowy brown stem. How can i tell the difference when I am not an expert in willow? Should I have done something to make it turn into biomass? Many thanks
There are over 330 varieties of willow, with many more appearing annually. This is due to cross pollination…bees are busy and wind pollination occurs a lot in the spring! I would advise you to keep a notebook on your garden, inserting photos or sketches of details of trees and willow for identification when you can access info readily. I have found this to be really useful! Willow has many different ID formulae, including catkins…I hope this is helpful!
Colx
Thanks I will try that method of recording. There does seem to be various types but I have never seen catkins!!!
Thanks for posting these lovely pics. Could you tell me the name of the tal white spike, looks a bit like a hollyhock but the leaves don’t seem to be right. The polytunnel looks stunning, as do all the varieties of green with the splash of red, the moss covered steps look like a path to a secret dell and the living willow is lovely. Really made my morning! 🙂
Mullein…the steps were made 7 years ago from stone and cement, then painted with a watery natural yoghurt to get the moss growing fast!
Colx
Thanks, must get some for my garden.
Lovely! The arch is particularly beautiful, I’m trying to work out what is clothing it and what the wood is 🙂
The arches are all willow…twisted together and different varieties. Very simple to make…can be made in minutes and will grow and grow!
Colx
Thank you! I love willow arches, so functional and so pretty – but you are right about the grow, and grow and grow 🙂