Morning all, This time last week...

Morning all,

This time last week I managed to overdose on hog roast which was fantastic. Simple meat over fire on a big stick with bread and a token bit of green stuff, I love it. Meat ration cut this weekend with just the one cocktail sausage at a neighbours birthday tea, probably not a bad thing really. Bad news with another food treat to be cut soon with the demise of our local curry restaurant which I see is up for sale. It’s in a prime spot in Stockbridge High Street which is becoming a bit of a posh foodie hot spot. I suspect the value of the property was just too tempting. They are a lovely crew running the show there and we will miss them if they go, although cholesterol levels might improve locally especially locally to this seat.

Lots of potting continues on the nursery getting stock ready for next season. It all comes around again so quickly especially when the season started so late as well. Like a lot of growers we are being even more careful about the range and quantities we are producing, after two terrible years we can’t afford to get caught out again by the weather and catastrophic sales. We are all just very thankful that the end of the spring and summer period boosted plant sales to help recover some of the losses of the early spring. It gives us hope that it is mainly the weather that is throwing a spanner in the works and given a better spring we can start to rebuild our confidence and stop pumping cash into our nurseries to keep things going. The knock on effect of the rubbish sales is still having a major effect on many young plant suppliers with orders for plants still being c ut, reduced or delayed at very short notice and payments being delayed or lost at the same time. We are all a bit too close to the edge for comfort and I’m sure there will be a few more casualties along the way which hopefully won’t push to many others over. Please do bear in mind when you start negotiations with your plant suppliers that we desperately need support and encouragement rather than another good kicking or else we might get a real job stacking shelves and make some money. Availability

Just a few Crocosmias left now coming into flower. Lucifer has just about finished but the other shorter varieties are just starting and looking really good.

Aster Purple Dome is about to burst forth with its short height and big purple flowers. The first colour is now showing on some. Mildew resistant and showy, a great plant for any garden.

Stunning foliage colours of Heucheras, all great additions to any garden.

The grasses are coming into their own at the moment as many blooms pass by. Carex Evergold and Ice Dance both look fantastic and the silver variegated Miscanthus Morning Light is very strong this year with the first delicate flower head s just appearing. Panicum Prairie Sky looks great too with its upright, elegant blue/grey foliage and flower stems bursting forth.  

Tray returns

If you have any of our empty wooden trays ready to return please do let us know (email is fine) and we will arrange to pop in and pick the up when we are next in the area. It may take a little while if you are far away but we will try and put together some efficient runs to keep costs and carbon footprints down. Don’t worry if the boxes are damaged as we will still record them as returned and may well be able to repair them through the winter. If we can’t repair them we can br eak them up for the wood-burner and I can toast my cocktail sausage during those long winter evenings. If you have sold some on to your customers please let us know so we can get the figures balanced. It is really important we get these boxes returned so we can

maintain such a good looking and sustainable delivery and display system.

Eco news

Made a new money saving (eventually) purchase this week with some top of the range climbing harnesses and safety kit. W e have had a couple of times when the blade tips of the turbines have popped out in high winds and had to wait a while until th e menders have been able to get here to pop them back in again. These tips are a safety feature to prevent the blades going too fast if the power cuts and the brakes fail to stop the turbine. They spoil the wind flow and stall the blade. It works really well apart from the fact that they are a bit too quick to pop when we have a very short power cut or dip and the brakes don’t deploy but the blades go a bit quicker. Luckily so far we have had free repairs under the warrantee but that won’t last much longer. We also lose generation while waiting for a visit. Unfortunately there are so few turbines round here that there is no local back up, so sometimes it can take a day or three. Anyway, after some guidance from the climbing engineers visit last week we have made our purchases and are now ready to have a go at climbing. When I say we, I really mean Caroline whohas already been up before. We have two sets so I may be the back-up we’ll see. I’m not good with heights but the kit looks great, very boys toys and I am very tempted to have a go.

Have a good week,

 from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries