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Water Willows are registered With the Soil Association and all our willow and     |
Claire & Julian Askham-Conroy have spent many years in the Agricultural / Horticultural industry growing a wide range of crops as well as working in the plant retail sector. In 1999 we planted willow at our new nursery close to Milton Keynes with a view to producing enough willow to weave baskets & living structures from our home in the old village of Milton Keynes.
Year by year we have added new willows and now grow over 110 varieties including willows for ornamental & Short Rotation Coppice.
Over the last ten years we have sold more and more willow & willow products year by year as well as building a range of bespoke living willow structures all over the UK in Hospitals,Theme parks, Schools etc.
In early spring 2008 we were instructed by del Buono Gazerwitz ltd to supply woven willow hurdles and by Spencer Fung Architects to weave panels for the ceiling of the garden room for the Daylesford Organic Garden, 'Summer Solstice' at Chelsea 2008.
The garden received much attention from the media, including Alan Titchmarsh, and was awarded a 'Silver Gilt' ( Flora)
Since then we have started to produce a standard range of Raised Vegetable Beds identical to the Chelsea willow as well as a range of Compost bins, obelisks etc as well as tailor made (bespoke) units.
In addition we still produce an affordable range of Living Willow Structures , Tunnels, Arbours, Domes, Wigwams supplied in kit form from £ 39.00 as well as Cuttings from £3.95 and collections of cuttings from £10.50 per pack of 24. BBC Gardner's World December 2008
As our business grows we plan to expand the range of products and develop new lines.
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years involved in agriculture and horticulture in the area. Water
Willows is located within and integrated with an 600 acre farming
estate which is farmed (and registered) as organic. Therefore, we
also use no chemical sprays and all pest control is achieved by
sacrificial planting and creating an environment where beneficial
insects can thrive.
 Living Tunnel at Eco Park in Milton Keynes |
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Weed control is achieved by mowing between the rows of willows. Some of
the willows are undersown with grass, or by agricultural plastic sheeting, through which the willow is planted. This has the added benefit of warming up the soil faster in spring thus stimulating growth. We are locking up some of the world's excess Carbon Dioxide with willow, offering a diverse, natural and sustainable habitat for wildlife whilst producing beautiful willows. To certify and maintain the high standards practiced by us we are registered
with the 'Soil Association'. All the willow and willow products sold by us are certified as organic and are labeled UK5 Certified. Harvesting is undertaken by hand with the harvested crop being allowed to dry naturally on site in our new store. All willow cuttings and rods are cut fresh to order and dispatched within
48 hours of harvest. |
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