Another very nice weekend, sunny and dry but not too hot, perfect for getting out in the garden and popping down to the local nursery to exercise the credit card. The weather looks like running into next week so hopefully the current momentum will keep growing. Although the cold late spring is beginning to fade in the memory it is still very apparent in the overdraft so let’s keep those sales motoring.


We are starting to see some significant gaps appearing around the nursery which is very encouraging especially as this week we saw the first delivery arrive of some of the young plants for next seasons sales and we start trying to work out where to pot them. We are hoping that last year’s investments in new bed covers will make the clearing up operation quicker but we won’t really know until we get stuck into it all. Keeping the production costs in check is always a challenge especially when all the ingredient costs keep creeping up. It always seems to need more investment to make a saving which can be a tricky balance to make. Last summer we spent a lot on the bed refurbishment and lean training and the results are looking good. We have 16 people with nice NVQ certificates and smarter tunnels but we still need to convert that investment into savings over the coming years. Another of last year’s investments was in the peat free compost we are now using. After many trials we settled on the current supplier and peat free mix which we have found to have made even further improvements to the plant growth and quality above our previous peat reduced mixes. This year we are tweaking the mix slightly to incorporate a higher rate of long term slow release fertiliser as the peat free mix seems to be locking the nutrients up a little more than anticipated.

We are also now adding a second biological control additive. We already incorporate the bio-insecticide Met 52 (Metarhizium anisopliae) a fungus that attacks Vine weevil for up to two years and for 2013 we are adding the new bio-fungicide T34 (Trichoderma asperellum) which protects against a range of root attacking diseases. Although this adds to the compost cost we should more than cover its addition in the improved output from each batch. The first load of bio -control predators arrive this week after a delayed start due to the low temperatures. These will help control the bulk of the insects attacking the crops from above and below compost level so greatly reducing any emergency spraying needed. It’s all go.

Feeling the after effects of a decadent day at the Watercombe Music Festival. A sell-out ‘crowd’ of 500 saw 12 hours of great and varied music in the sunshine in Dorset. I’m a little pink nosed this morning for several reasons but mostly the sun. Got lots of locally sourced purchasing done, Dorset Knob and Jurassic were very good and all locally recycled too. Very civilised picnic and chauffeured back to my own bed by 2.30am, just right. Funnily enough I wasn’t envious of the campers on -site, it was really very cold by then despite multiple layers and winter fleeces all round. That has cured me of any romantic idea of doing a Glastonbury trip, give me my own loo, shower and bed anytime.

Availability

Incarvillea are showing buds and flower, looking chunky, an exotic but hardy surprise to many in the garden.

Another delightful unusual one is the Primula viallii, the Chinese pagoda primrose which is now shooting and showing buds. Primula bulleysiana just started showing buds, great chunky plants.

Campanula glomerata Acaulis in bud and showing colour, short and bushy. Carex Evergold and Ice Dance both look fantastic.

Delicate ferny foliage of Thalictrum diptocarpum with strong flower shoots thrusting through, a beauty.

The dwarf Polemonium Bambino Blue is looking great, strong chunky growth with colour just bursting through. Catananche have started pushing up their flower spikes ready to show off yummy sky blue summer flowers Geramium sang. striatum (lovely clear pink) look stunning and G magnificum are showing buds.

Dainty but striking red flowers of Heuchera Ruby Bells and Firefly look delightful.

Salvia’s are all well budded, still lovely chunky plants with colour just showing on many.

The dark flowering Verbascum Cherry Helen and the Pink Petticoats are also just beginning to throw up the odd flower shoot and looking strong.

Geums have plenty of bud coming now.

We have our best Japanese Anemones ever at the moment, stonkingly bushy plants although flowering will be a little way off .

The Hostas are very chunky and yummy this year too, get them before the slugs do! We use the organic and pet/wildlife safe Ferramol pellets to protect ours as well as encouraging the natural predators.

Fresh batches of Delphiniums and Lupins looking great.

Have a good week, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries