Beginners Residential and Day Fedging Workshops.

Visit Pink Apple Orchard to Take part in a Beginners Willow Workshop.

Day Course and Weekend Course Dates available along with Midweek Residential.

Please note that these courses can only run if a certain number of places are booked. 

If you choose to take part in a day or weekend course here, you will be able to see the willow being grown and processed at first hand, taking in one of the oldest crafts. Visitors are welcome to walk through the Orchard and enjoy our variety of willow fedges we have planted and developed on sight to create atmosphere, wind breaks and privacy. Also planted is an arbour, arches and a tunnel that is growing and well established. 

We are committed to developing the understanding of this carbon neutral material, working closely with the environment and the wildlife and refusing to use dyes or bleaches on their willow.

We have recently begun growing a variety of different willow rods which will offer us a variety a rich and beautiful colours that can be used in both living willow structures and for dried use ie for basketry, sculpture etc

Willow Rods Here At Pink Apple Orchard:

Chinese Super Willow

Daisy Cladas

Dark Duck

Black Maul

Flanders Red

Violet

Purpurea

Along with the trustworthy Willow: Salix Viminalis.

It is the Salix Viminalis rods you will work with during the course/es. They are reliably known for their straightness. 

We will have willow rods for sale which you can buy while you are here and complete your own projects at home to keep your creative ideas flowing and knowledge alive. 

Willow Fedging Day Workshop

The key emphasis is working with willow first hand with a very hands on approach. We would like you to leave with the confidence to continue working with willow as a creative, versatile, natural and renewable material which will suit any garden. If space is an issue, maybe a basic fedge is optional, for those with more space, they could try the more adventurous designs of arbours, domes, teepees, arches, tunnels etc…ideas and creativity are endless. We are happy to help with ideas and offer tips while you are with us. The workshop offers to learn a new skill and all ages can be involved. 

• Suitable for Beginners
• Learn a new practical craft
• Ideal winter job for the keen and practical gardener
• Possibilities for school grounds

Day Workshop: €65.00

Includes the Course on the day, the materials to work with and lunch will also be provided along with a sample of Pink Apple Orchards finest organically produced Cider.

Lunch will be a selection of sandwiches and home made soup. Please let us know of any dietary requirements when booking. Thanks. Also hot tea and coffee available throughout the day.

Day Planner

9.45am – 10.00am: Arrival Time To Pink Apple Orchard, Meet your host and fellow colleagues for the day.

10.00am: Introduction to Willow, its characters and general information of its endless possibilities, and a demonstration of the process you will learn.

10.45am: Demonstration of clipping willow. Sourcing and clipping of your Willow Salix. 

11.15am: Getting started! Further demonstrations will be offered along with sheets to follow to offer additional guidance.

12.30pm: LUNCH. Will be served within the Cider House Kitchen. Time to reflect, discuss and informal chat with a sample of Pink Apples Cider!

1.30pm: Continue with the practical work with Martin there at all times to help, guide and advise.

4pm: Time to leave. If you are booked in to stay the night, then the time is your own to enjoy relaxing on site, while cooking, sitting by the camp fire and enjoying a glass of your favourite tipple, then snuggling down to your cosy wood fired lit Yurt. 

Residential Day Workshop (based on 2 sharing): €115.00 Per Person.

Taking advantage of a night away, we can offer luxury Glamping accommodation with 1 of 3 Yurts, The Teepee or The Gypsy Wagon (Subject to Availability) on site at Pink Apple Orchard. If you would like to stay longer and explore the area, please do enquire. 

Additionally to The course, you have the opportunity to buy willow while your here. We advise you buy and take with you rather than paying the postage. Currently we have The Salix Vimilasis that can be bought in varying rod lengths and 1 foot cuttings. The more specialised willow can currently be bought as 1 foot cuttings.

Residential Weekend Workshop (based on 2 sharing): €150.00 Per Person

The Willow Fedging Day Workshop will be held on the Saturday.

Arrival to your accommodation is on Friday (any time after 3pm, we ask for an expected arrival time near to date of arrival) and departure is on Sunday by 12 noon.

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