Cae Non

So, today, I have been busy working out how to build raised beds from lengths of irregular “rustic” willow wood.

Willow tub planter

I decided that rather than building an 8' 4″ raised bed, I needed to work out how exactly to make the wood fit together on a smaller scale. So I built a ~2 foot (Probably more than that – it was a rough measurement!)  planter to take some of the plants I had ready to go in that wouldn't be happy going straight into the wet clay.

I have now realised that the only way to do this is not to make tiers of poles at 90 degree anges, but to have pairs of lengths of willow with a length at each end nailed on top, after several layers, this forms a box shape. Thus the only requirement for straightness of the willow pieces is that each length must be able to meet up with the length on top of it (at right-angles) at some point. This is then nailed to secure the structure. The whole lot is then lined with a membrane and filled with soil.

Now I have this idea licked and can scale it up and build my bigger raised beds using the same principle.

Planting herbs

I have also used this visit to Cae Non to get some of the plants I had ready planted out. This time they are:

• Barberry – Mahonia aquifolium
• Goji berry – Lyceum barbarium
• Cramp bark – Viburnum opulus
• Feverfew – Tanacetum parthenium
• Red Clover – Trifolium pratense
• St.Jonh's Wort – Hypricum perforatum.

The shrubs planted directly into the clay, the others planted into the willow tub.

Finished planter