How to make a besom

It takes three years to condition the birch needed to make a perfect broom - but it will last for a decade, says Jon Henley

First off, if you didn't start thinking about it a year ago, you'll have to wait. A traditional birch broom is only as good as the brushwood you use, you see, and brushwood is only any good when seasoned for at least nine months. Too green, birch twigs will shrink and go brittle on the handle, and your broom will fall to pieces as fast, says Adam King, as the "horrible scrawny imported ones" you buy in garden centres.

See the following link for the rest of the article :- The Guardian co uk