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| What does OPSEC mean...really | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 4 2011, 09:15 AM (2,217 Views) | |
| HandFarming | Apr 6 2012, 12:46 PM Post #101 |
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Good one ... I think the people who lived here long before us planted a few raspberries that over took all the fencing. They also must have brought these basket willows here and after plastics the willows no longer got take from and have over run acres of area. I was thinking about moving some of both and see what grows. And, I have been seeing more and more people stacking wood piles neatly where they can use them defensively...and easy access for getting the wood in the middle of winter. Though we peace-loving, ya never know other peoples intentions so it's best not to make it too easy. |
| You can lead an ass to knowledge, but you can not make it think. | |
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| Mommacat | Apr 7 2012, 08:37 AM Post #102 |
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Basket willows? That sounds interesting - have you ever used them to make a basket? Do you have to dry or peel them - do you know anything about that? In summer camp - 'bout a thousand years ago, we made some baskets - the process was quite easy. Of course, we had little pre-drilled wooden bases and bundles of the willows provided to us (at no extra charge!), so I am pretty sure it was the "Reader's Digest condenced version" of basket weaving! LOL Oh, and I'll bet that's the very same variety used when someone got the willow switch across the butt, huh!? |
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| HandFarming | Apr 7 2012, 11:02 AM Post #103 |
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Lol-year they are good for baskets and switches. I tried to do a little with them when I first got here cause there are acres of them here. They were used to make wicker furniture, baskets, fishing scoops and more. In the ole'n days, they were planted to make living fences by sticking them in the ground in the spring soil then weaving them for a few seasons and viola-fence! And a self repairing fence at that. If you want any-take all you want ... fill your truck! |
| You can lead an ass to knowledge, but you can not make it think. | |
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| Mommacat | Apr 8 2012, 05:27 AM Post #104 |
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My interest is in the process, HF - do you have to dry it or do anything to get it ready to weave into baskets or furniture? Do you peel it or treat it with anything? Like I said, summer camp has been my only exposure to it. I don't believe it grows up here, or if it does, its called something else. Just an intersting thing to find out about - just in case! Not that I need anymore baskets!! LOL That was my collection kick for a while - now I'm over that and on to other stuff! LOL |
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| HandFarming | Apr 8 2012, 06:30 AM Post #105 |
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Process? It's not actually anything I looked deeply into but I do know that as wicker baskets or to be made into furniture the bark is stripped and soaked to bend. I browsed pictures online years ago and they have clamps that hold things in place while weaving but most woods need to kept wet when working with them. I use the willows as a sprouting agent. I get bundles of willows in winter and put them in a large pot of water. Then, after pruning trees over winter I put the pruned branches in the water with the willows and it grows roots. I haven't found a hardwood or vine like grapes that it doesn't force to root yet, but that day could be coming as I put in a English walnut to see if it works. |
| You can lead an ass to knowledge, but you can not make it think. | |
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| Mommacat | Apr 8 2012, 08:26 AM Post #106 |
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LOL - English Walnut - now there's a LONG term plan! Don't they have to be like 70 years old before they get nuts? Well, I should talk, everywhere I've lived, I've always planted an Autumn Sunset Maple and then, just like clock work, move away shortly thereafter. I did stop by an old farm in Iowa that I lived at and planted two of them, some twenty-odd years ago. They are gorgeous trees, now! They were a dwarf variety and so grow to less than twenty feet tall, but they are full and colorful! I often wonder about some of the others... That's interesting about using the willows as a sprouting agent - I've never heard of that. What does it do; I mean what causes it to do that? That's pretty cool to know! |
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| HandFarming | Apr 9 2012, 01:17 AM Post #107 |
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Willows are one of the easiest ways to sprout / propagate new plants from the ones you have. Willows are also the main source for aspirn and an easy to grow plant. |
| You can lead an ass to knowledge, but you can not make it think. | |
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| Raven | Apr 10 2012, 12:05 AM Post #108 |
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If you cut a willow you can just plop the cut end in soil and it will probably grow. Speaking of old fences...around here a good fence would be those thousands of field stones that are out there. I know that Iowa has more than we do but there are enough here to make a good fence (planted with sandspurs of course). That fence would keep larger livestock in but not goats. The sandspurs would keep the two legged varmints out. |
| The truth is not for all men, but only for those that seek it. Ayn Rand | |
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