Weaving Garden Fences
Participants learn how to use wild willow sourced by the teacher in local waterways to explore one of the most ancient construction techniques.
Large-scale permanent fences can be created with decorative elements and features added to make each one unique. Small garden borders can be created for decoration as well as function; they stop birds from being destructive and keep the mulch on garden beds! Techniques can be developed further to create movable barriers that can be used as a gate, garden structure or part of an animal pen.
Participants working together to make a permanent fence at the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre in September 2015.
The permanent fence above was created using a variety of willows collected in the Hepburn Shire. The willow was used green and gradually dried over time, which has had a noticeable impact on the colour of the fence over time.
Participants working together to make a small garden border at the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre in September 2015.
Images above show a little bit of the construction process of the small garden border at the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre in September 2015.
A small garden border at Jodie Goldring’s home
Participants working together to make a movable hurdle at the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre in September 2015.
The finished hurdle has been utilised by the Creswick Community Garden where it operates as a screen and plant support.
Participants working together to recreate the permanent fence at the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre in September 2019.
The finished fence at Creswick Neighbourhood Centre in September 2019.
Details of the finished fence at Creswick Neighbourhood Centre in Sep. 2019.
Weaving Garden Structures – teepees
Participants learn how to use locally sourced willow to weave decorative yet functional garden structures. It takes all day for participants to learn the basketry technique of twining to create a willow teepee that can be taken home to support and protect plants.
The process of weaving a willow teepee is shown at Darley Neighbourhood House, August 2016.
A participant pictured with her finished willow teepee at Darley Neighbourhood House in August, 2016.
Participants pictured with their finished willow teepees at Creswick Neighbourhood Centre in September, 2016.
Another year flies by… and participants at Creswick Neighbourhood Centre make incredible willow teepees at 2 workshops during September 2017.
Teepee supporting green zebra tomatoes in 2017.
Teepee in a veggie patch in 2018.
Weaving Garden Structures – cloches
In 2018 participants braved cooler weather to make a garden cloche out of wild willow at the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre. It took most of the day to learn the basketry technique of twining to create the garden cloche, which everyone took home to protect their plants from animals such as rabbits, possums and birds. These charming rustic structures can also provide support to plants that need a little protection from the wind or a place to climb.
Jodie Goldring 