How to soak and mellow willow in warm weather

16 July 2025

Willow bundles soaking in water during warm weather to prepare for weaving.

All seasonal variations in temperature affect how long you need to soak willow for weaving.

IMPORTANT: Our soaking advice below uses timings for an average temperature UK day. In warmer weather, the water temperature of our willow soaking tanks significantly increases. This helps soaking times for willow, speeding up the process by around half a day.

	Black Maul and Noire de Villaine	Old French	Dicky Meadows	Flanders Red	Brittany Green	Caledendron	Whissender	Harrisons
3ft	3 days	3 days	2 days	4-6 days	3 days	5-6 days	4 days	3 days
4ft	4 days	4 days	3 days	6-8 days	4 days	6-7 days	5 days	4 days
5ft	5 days	5 days	4 days	8-10 days	5 days	7-8 days	6 days	5 days
6ft	6 days	6 days	5 days	10-12 days	6 days	8-9 days	7 days	6 days
7ft	7 days	7 days	6 days	12-14 days	7 days	9-10 days	8 days	7 days
8ft	8 days	8 days	7 days	14-16 days	8 days	10-11 days	9 days	8 days
9ft	9 days	9 days	8 days	16-18 days	9 days	11-12 days	10 days	9 days

What happens to your soaking tank in warm weather

It’s inevitable at this time of the year that you might see scum, bubbles and algae in your willow tank. You might experience some or all of these – especially if your tank is open to the outdoor elements, and in a sunny spot.

You will also notice some changes to your willow during soaking in warmer weather.

1. Buff willow

Buff willow will go more ‘yeasty’ at this time of year. This can affect the water in your soaking tank, as in the picture below.

Close-up of willow sticks soaking in water during warm weather for weaving preparation.

2. Bark-on willow

Willow soaked with the bark still on (e.g. brown ‘dry’ willow) will go green and slimy on its surface. The algae will cling to the willow and mark it. It’s important to change the water in your tank after each soak and stick to warm weather soaking times.

Willow rods soaking in a bucket of water during warm weather for flexible weaving.

Some helpful tips for soaking willow in warm weather

If possible, try to place your soaking tank somewhere out of direct sunlight.
Algae thrives in sunlight. Cover your soaking tank with a dark tarp, lid, or shade cloth to block the light. A black plastic cover over the top can drastically reduce algae growth without affecting soaking.
Avoid using nutrient-rich tap water – especially if it’s high in nitrates or phosphates, which feed algae. Use rainwater for soaking if possible.
Change your water after each soak, and make sure you stick to the shorter warmer weather soaking times.
Be sure to clean your tank between soaks. Avoid using chemical cleaners – white vinegar is suitable. Then rinse your soaking tank thoroughly before reusing it.
Try not to re-soak willow that has been in a ‘green’ tank, as some of the algae may still be present.
Add some natural algae inhibitors. A small bundle of barley straw in a mesh bag can naturally inhibit algae as it decomposes – it is often used in ponds and is safe for willow too. Avoid any chemical algaecides, as these may damage your willow.
Only soak as much willow as you need, plus a little spare.

What to do if your willow is over-soaked or covered in algae

Over-soaked willow

If you’ve over-soaked your willow, remove the willow from the water and stand it up to drain off. If you try to use over-soaked willow immediately after the normal period of mellowing the willow may peel or split. Leave the willow uncovered for a few days before trying to use it.

Sometimes over-soaked willow will respond to drying out – it depends on the type of willow. More often than not, however, the willow bark will have become damaged and the willow may be consigned to the compost bin. It could be used for more ‘rustic’ projects which involve gentle curves (e.g. plant climber weave) rather than more ‘elegant’ work which involves kinking or turning (e.g. basket borders).

Willow covered in algae

If you do end up with green, slimy willow – or buff willow that feels sticky – give your willow a good jet hosing before mellowing. If you haven’t over-soaked the willow, it should be fine underneath the algae.

Mellowing willow in warm weather

Mellowing will occur more quickly in warm weather and, subsequently, the willow will dry out more quickly. To help with this, you should:

Mellow the willow in a cool, shaded place.
Mellow the willow overnight.
Put a damp bedsheet over your willow whilst it mellows to retain the moisture. Don’t be tempted to use sodden towels, as this will cause the willow to become slimy.
Work quickly.
Spray the willow with water frequently when working, especially if you’re using white, buff, or buff noir willow. Don’t wait until the willow feels dry to the touch to do this – at this stage, it has become too dry. If possible, try to work in a cool, shaded environment as well.

For more advice on how to soak willow for weaving, our willow weaving courses, or any of our products, please get in touch with the Musgrove Willows team.