ONLINE REGISTRATION IS CLOSED - if you would like to attend, please email me directly at erin@fieldandforestcrafts.com and we’ll see what we can do.
Jubilee Farm, in the town of Carnation, is graciously allowing us to gather non-native cattails that grow on their land. Though plentiful, this cattail harvest is not for the faint of heart…it is deep in an overgrown field.
PLEASE READ ALL OF THE EVENT DETAILS BEFORE SIGNING UP - Harvesting is physically challenging and there are steps that need to be taken AFTER harvest to ensure you can store and use your cattails in the future. Please don’t let them go to waste.
For liability and safety, adults only.
How will harvest work? You keep what you harvest. With the understanding that 1) we will harvest primarily vegetative stalks (limited “corndogs”, ie seedheads) and 2) we will take time to separate the stems and sort in the field so you take home the best material. I will help you know how to select and sort. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early so we can be ready to head out into the field…the earlier we start, the better on what will likely be a hot August day.
What are the physical demands of harvesting? Harvesting itself is physical work but so is the getting in and out of this specific harvest location. You will need to walk-in through roughly 250 yards of VERY HIGH GRASS AND UNEVEN TERRAIN. Then carry out your bundle(s) out the same way. THIS IS NOT AN EASY HARVEST LOCATION. But it is a rewarding and plentiful location. BONUS HARVEST: All the juncus you want!!!!
What do you need to bring? You will want to bring a good pair of garden secateurs, wear waterproof footwear (or not care about getting wet - unlikely but possible), consider wearing a hat, sunblock and bug spray, and some rope to tie up your bundle(s). I would also encourage you to bring a gift of gratitude for the cattails - it can be something small and organic to sprinkle, a song, a poem, etc - whatever is meaningful to you that you can share with the cattails.
TOOL SUGGESTION: A good pair of garden clippers/secateurs will work but a hand sickle is the absolute BEST tool for gathering cattails, bulrush and yellow flag iris. This is what I use: https://a.co/d/6Feg4QW (I get no money for this just sharing). You don’t need to buy this tool but if you want a fun new tool…I love mine.
What about taking my cattails home? Think about what vehicle access you have. The cattails will be from 5-8ft tall!!! They can be gently curved to fit in your car but should not be bent/kinked. If your vehicle is very small, we can explore cutting down the leaves to just the most “weave-able” sections.
Do you have the space to dry and store them? When you get home you will want to thoroughly dry the leaves - in a location with good airflow and ideally out of direct sun. This can be done upright in small loosely tied bundles or laid out flat. If drying flat, they will need to be regularly turned to allow both sides to dry. They should not get any rain or dew on them while drying. Once completely dry they can be stored indoors fairly safely.
What if the weather is TERRIBLE? I will send an email to everyone who is registered no later than 9pm on Friday, Aug 1st with a weather and harvest update. Light rain will not cancel but extreme heat might. If I cancel the session because of weather (or any other reason), you will get a full refund.
Class registration is NON-REFUNDABLE (except as noted above if I have to cancel for any reason). However, if you want to sell or give your spot to a friend, I’m happy to welcome someone else in your place. Due to the nature of the outing and limited space, I’m unable to support refunds or credits.