Monday 8 April 2013

Morning all,

OK this weekend it has all kicked off, hasn’t it? A marked weather improvement at the weekend with gradual temperature improvements through the coming week. What a relief, Spring may be arriving. I hope for everyone’s sake things really start to motor and we can all get some sales going, the whole nursery industry is desperate to clear some stock and get some cashflow recovery especially after last year’s problems with all that rain. Locally we had one of the Fargro nurseries on the TV news letting the world know how difficult life is for the producers right now which was good to see although it doesn’t actually help. Several retailers have been in the media too this week with tales of low plant sales but at least many of them can fall back on some other revenue sources like the catering or indoor sales, the growers are simple stuck with tiny sales now and even if sales pick up, a further delay in income for several weeks before many of the invoices we hope to be sending out get paid. We are extremely grateful to those who are paying up very promptly and all the other support we have received but be aware, those who take longer to pay, that you may get some fairly desperate calls for help over the next few weeks so please be sympathetic where you can. These are unprecedented times for the plant production industry and if you want UK suppliers next year you may need to apply common sense and positive support to your plant suppliers, a bit of help now is bound to have a positive impact on future relationships.

Over the past couple of weeks the micropropagation side of the nursery, which supplies young plants to other growers, has already seen a reaction to the current situation with orders being cut at the last minute from many nurseries both small and large and this is for stock for retailing in 2014 and 2015. We are doing our bit, which hurts, by allowing the orders to be reduced to try and help although this is bound to have a knock-on affect on us later. We are trying to juggle things about to reduce the impact so hopefully it won’t be disastrous, it just adds to that list of current challenges!

Not all the news is downbeat. We went out to see our favourite piano player Ben Waters http://www.benwaters.com last night who was playing with Nine Below Zero a great rock and blues band. A nice distraction from the cold weather. Check out Ben's CD ‘A tribute to Stu’ which is just ace for old fart easy boogie woogie listening. All the Stones are on there with some great performances, one of our bestist favourite CD’s. And all the profits go to the British Heart Foundation.

Luckily it has warmed up enough this weekend to wrestle me out of my Chums fleece lined trousers which have been well used over the last few weeks. I haven’t needed the turbines to generate power the combination of Chums trousers, fleece top and gloves create a sparky atmosphere whenever I get near anything metallic. Washing hands usually creates the best display of light and vocabulary just after I have peeled everything off. Trouble is with the current short term memory loss it always takes me by surprise, I have come pretty close to needing some of Chums other products to prevent an accident.

Availability

We had a visitor last week who was an ex executive at Body Shop. She loved the whole hairy pot thing and was a regular retail buyer. She mentioned that our plant purchases were something that inspired coffee table conversation with her girlfriends and that was unusual for a plant purchase. It was great to hear that we are sparking interest and discussion it’s a real boost.

Loads of stonking stock at the moment, the plants are later than last year but looking great. Doronicum Little Leo full of life with stocky growth and strong flower buds showing.

Super range of chunky Aquilegias looking full of life and vigour.

Pulsatillas are showing their first buds now.

Polemonium Heaven Scent is a great spring performer. The strong chunky dark bronze-flushed early shoots are SO attractive in this early period and the first flower buds are already nestling among the leaves. STUNNING AT THE MOMENT. The Sedums look so fit at this time it is a wonder they don’t burst out and run about.

Erysimums Bowles Mauve already has plenty of bud and will flower endlessly throughout the summer.

The border bulbs are looking strong, with most Camassia’s and Alliums up and the hardy Gladiolus Byzantinus looking perky.

Anemone blanda Blue and the White are both showing some bud and a flower or two.

Still lovely bud and flowers on the Helleborus niger too but only a few left. Eco news

Very grateful at the moment for the turbine income and savings made through all our sustainable efforts, they are helping keep costs down which could be vital for survival.

If you need a fax list please let us know, pick it up from the website or alternately send an email address. Have a good week, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries

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