Morning All

Sun is shining and it looks lovely out there from in here! Nice breeze and 5C so perhaps not quite perfect outside but at least it is dry and above freezing during the day, well it is down here in the barmy south. I am sure there will be lots of people getting out there and getting stuck into a bit of gardening before hitting the Sunday roast and falling asleep in front of the boat r ace. We have lots of yummy stock ready to satiate demand when it takes off in the next few days.

Great day yesterday with a win by Southampton over Chelsea which Caroline went to see. Glad they got such a good result it is nice to get some positive news during such a tricky start on the nursery. I listened on the radio while installing a ‘new’ extract-plate storage facility in the potting tunnel, more commonly described as a shelf! Looks good and gets us even more ready for the busy season to come. Got a round of irrigating done then had to drain the system to reduce the potential for frost damage, something we are having to do every time we water which is frustrating with the cold nights at the moment. Luckily it is reasonably efficient to do as we push out the water from the irrigation pipes with a bit of compressed air controlled by solenoids and a computer. The turbines power the compressor so it is reasonably cheap to run and most of the water does end up on the crop.

Managed an hour in the field with the new metal detector last Sunday. Despite multiple layers of clothing my hands stopped working and I had to retire to tea and hot cross buns in front of the log burner but not before uncovering my first hoard. I am attaching an image of my treasures and am debating with Caroline about the ebay potential, could be more in it than Nursery production! For those on tenterhooks I have to say a collection of rusty nails, an inch or two of chicken wire and a broken plough share tip are not quite what I had pictured but it is a start. One of the nails is quite an old square headed one so could be valuable, I will look it up. The new mini shovel worked well especially when I held it away from the detector. Might be a bit of a mud issue in the house, it is even messier than nursery work.

Beginning to run a bit short of logs and brain cells this week. The cold weather has depleted stocks of both. Opened the log burner with the special log burner opening tool at lunch time, loaded up the basket and burner with wood but couldn’t find the tool again to shut the hot door. Used the oven cloth thinking I must have taken the tool to the wood pile or left it in bottom of the basket. I’ll sort it after lunch. Eventually found it glowing spectacularly bright red in the ashes of the burner, Why put it in there? I’m going for a lie down.

Availability

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 are fantastic, especially the Bowles Mauve which already has plenty of bud and will flower endlessly throughout the summer.

Last few Primula veris in bud, just a very few trays left.

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

Unfortunately the cold weather has increased hugely the oil consumption in our one heated tunnel and one frost protected tunnel. We have adjusted our heated production to be as late as we can make it assuming things are warmer later but it hasn’t quite worked out this year.

The turbines in March are spot on predictions despite a quiet start and we have again produced more than we have consumed during the month which is great.

Nature notes

Swallows and sand martins are being spotted in Cornwall, summer is just around the corner.

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