We had quite the rain storm last week. Parts of Sonoma county received 10 to 12 inches of rain in a four-day period. Last Saturday during part of this wonderful rain fall I was taking a workshop on, living willow structures taught by Josho Somine of Occidental Arts & Ecology Center.
Willow is a great plant you can basically cut a branch, stick it in the ground and it will grow. Willow grows abundantly wherever there is plenty of water and sun, you tend to see it along creeks and roadside ditches. You can use willow to make living arches, tunnels, benches, and more. I love this concept for garden and small farm structures because the willow is living, it provides a habitat for wildlife and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. I can’t wait to find a space at Quarter Acre to build one of these artistic yet practical structures.