what to do with willow grove and moist soil

[knuckledragger]

My wife and I are trying to buy some property that is bordered on one side by a creek. In a little area by the creek there is a willow grove, which indicates really moist soil. This area is most likely the location of a spring (in spite of record amounts of rain recently, this area has not flooded or been under water). What would be a wise use of such an area? What are some possible ways that could fit into a homestead design?

We are in West Tennessee in zone 7.

[ronbre]

Well i answered this on the p forum..but what I'd really like to know is what you would LIKE to have on the property..do you want a pond, a springhouse, a forest garden among the willows like elderberries and winterberries, (my favorite jam is elderberry and it is so easy to make)..
there are lots of plants that love wet..but there are lots of other things besides plants you can do with a wet area..bog garden..pond..springhouse as were mentioned..a pump and well to irrigate or for the house?

have you thought of using that creek for a power plant with a water wheel?? plant some cress for your salads..or a beautiful garden along the creek of primroses and flags..and cowslip..maybe a bridge over the creek..maybe a caged off area for trout?

[mooman]

Possibilities are limitless. If it's a pleasant area to visit, then perhaps some light landscaping and let it be. I try to reist the urge to "manage" or develope every nook. Have you watched it for a whole year? It may not run during the late summer.

Not sure what it looks like or what you want to do, but if you need any seed, or cuttings (native wetland species) then Earnst Conservation Seed is the place. They have all kinds of custom seed mixes. I ordered some seed to turn a forever moist section of "lawn" into a wet meadow. (now someone just has to tell me how to plow, disk, and rake a perpetually wet area.....sigh guess I'll have to wait and "frost seed" next year)

[rambler]

I think it would make a wonderful place to have a small willow grove.

--->Paul

[Yvonne's hubby]

Quack Quack! can you say ducks, or maybe crawdads

[Mutti]

A willow grove would be great....you could harvest selectively and make chairs that are in high demand at the farmers' markets. DEE

[knuckledragger]

I would like to say "thanks" to everyone for the replies. I've gotten some really good advice.

Ronbre, you asked what I would like to do with the area. I'm so new to this that I am not sure. The reason I asked what everyone else thought is that I don't even know what my viable options are. (My level of ignorance is truly profound when it comes to homesteading and gardening) The good news is that I like to learn and that there seems to be no shortage of knowledgeable people to help me do so. Also, there is already a pond on the property. I liked your idea about the elderberries, but I don't know how well they grow here in zone 7. I'll have to research that one.

Yvonne's hubby, there are already a number of crawfish mounds there, so that idea may work really well. My question would be, how do you harvest them?

Where can I find an exhaustive list of moisture loving plants?

[ronbre]

One good book is Beth Chatto's ..a damp garden...but she is from England..

try typing in a search for say bog plants or moisture loving plants and see what you come up with..

also grab some free seed and plant catalogs and look for the zones and requirements..you may not be interested in buying from them but you can see what is available..

check with your local government associations that deal with plants and see if they have any books or resource materials...they are likely free.

Elderberries are hardy from Canada to S Fla..so you are OK..I love elderberry jelly..omg it is soooooooooo good and so easy to make..don't even have to strip the berries off of the clumps..you just strain the liquid after cooking the entire shebang..sweeten and use pectin, boil, and put in jars hot and seal..so thick and rich !

I have a great "edible wild plants" book that has a map of where each plant is found..which makes it helpful to know what also will grow in your area..

I sure understand where you are coming from about not knowing..i'm a person who learned everything by book or trial and error myself..

[wy_white_wolf]

Keep the willows and build willow furniture, garden structures and wabble(?) fencing. Know a guy that lives year round off what he makes from about 1/2 acre of willows.