Looking Towards Spring

Hey there folks,

It looks like we’re going to survive our first Vermont winter! Our heat stayed…mostly on! We’re getting more and more days above 0°F. We’re even expecting high 40s tomorrow.

It’s time to focus on the upcoming harvest. I wanted to hit a few points to keep you all in the loop:

Spring 2022 Harvest

Willows are best coppiced before they exit dormancy, and when we can physically access our snowbound nurseries. Here’s a link to tips on how to care for your willow. With the warming weather we’re looking at beginning our harvest next month – in March instead of the typical mid-April (see announcement below). Assuming all things work out as planned.

This year we’re looking to accept new orders right up until the end of the shipping season of May 15th.

Creating an Account

I strongly encourage you to create an account with us. I get it…who wants to create another profile on another website? Certainly not me. Now that I’ve got a little experience on the back end of a website I can understand the reasoning. This function will help us and you track what you’ve ordered easier.

Please note – we will NEVER under ANY circumstances share your information.

Website Updates

We asked for your feedback and we got it. We’re heeding your advice and working through adding many of your suggestions. We’ve added drop-down boxes to better describe our products. Lisa made our entire selection available in list-form, with links to each individual page. Expect to see a page that details how willows benefit the modern world very shortly. Our snapshot of each variety, the Willows-At-A-Glance, are mostly filled out and I’m adding more daily.

We understand how important Michael’s descriptions were and he is working to publish a website containing all of the botanical information with photos soon. He was able to develop a personal relationship with each willow over time, something we are doing now and will inform you of as we get to know our willow neighbors.

We really do appreciate the feedback and we’re always open to more, so keep ’em coming!

Newsletter

We’re developing a newsletter! You can opt-in to it when you create an account. Personally, Lisa and I do not use social media; we do not like the effect it has on society. We will continue to use these platforms sparingly and as a means for you to find us.

climbs down from soapbox

That said, we will be using the newsletter, and to a lesser extent these blog posts, as our primary means of updating everyone on the advances in the world of willow and the nursery in general.

Big Changes for the Fall Shipping Season?

We have pretty compelling evidence that the optimal planting time for most zones in the US is in the Fall. We’ll be exploring the possibility of expanding the fall shipping season to include zones 7a and 7b!

We may revisit one or all of these decisions if needed – Mother Nature has a proven track record of turning our plans on their head.

Looking for Seasonal Help!

A big part of our plan is bringing on help. This year is a big coppicing year for the nursery. In addition to coppicing, we plan on establishing a third nursery. In the past, Michael would trade material for labor, something we hope to continue. We’ll be busy. If you’re interested in participating I’d love to hear from you. Send an email to contactus@vermontwillownursery.com and let us know your availability and varieties you’re after.