Wednesday 6 April 2016

Hairy wind

Here we go again,

Bit of a disappointing Easter, fabulous Friday but a bit rough over the rest of the weekend. All those destination centres really needed some nice weather for full on Easter fun so my sympathies are with you all. Still it’s been an improving picture this week and the coming weekend isn’t looking to shabby down here so plenty of opportunities to make up on the lost time and plant sales.

We had a pretty wild and windy night on Sunday and into Monday morning as storm Katie shot through. Not too much damage this end although it was strong enough to cause the turbines to stop a couple of times as the gusts went over the safety thresholds. Luckily there were no wing tip deployments so no trip up the towers for Caroline to reset those this time, after a few minutes once the wind dropped a bit they restarted themselves.

The second load of potting compost arrived this week (enough for about 60,000 pots) so we must have potted a lot. Looking in the prop tunnels there still seems to be plenty to do, I hope I haven’t got over-excited again on my potting plans. We over-wintered some mega big modules this year so we should get some really chunky strong stock into those hairy pots, I love to see loads of healthy, rampantly strong plants leaving despatch, it isn’t always easy or cheap to achieve but it makes us feel good. We’ll worry about the bank balance next winter when the money runs out again! Broken finger progress is good, still splinted up for protection during the day but overall not holding me back too much. I seem to have developed a tick/twitch in it as I use the computer mouse which has been a challenge at times. It sticks out to the right as I work and keeps right clicking for me. All sorts of things have been happening apparently beyond my control it’s quite distressing what can be done on that button. Funny a first then frustrating. Having watched the excellent programmes over the last couple of weeks about the Tourettes affected folk trying to find work I’m wondering if I’m heading that way, let’s hope not, that degree of loss of brain control is scary.

Swallows over Cornwall already so summer is just around the corner. Skylarks are singing and tadpoles growing, get out there and celebrate the spring.

Availability highlights

Lots of plants beginning to show a nice spring flush of growth now as the season progresses, even with the temperatures not doing a lot.

Excellent Pulsatilla’s have come through really strongly now, with plenty of bud and the odd opening flower. The red and purple forms are particularly impressive. Get them while they are hot. Brunnera are showing their early buds and flowers now, Delightful forget-me-not blue dainty things heralding the spring. We have two forms, the green leaved and the variegated both equally dashing. Be quick they don’t hang about long.

The ever popular Erysimum’s are doing really well. Two of the most popular varieties, Red Jep and Bowles Mauve, are looking great, dark green foliage, bushy with bud showing. The Bowles Mauve are showing a little colour as the first buds open, this variety just goes on and on flowering until the frosts. Fresh batches of Pastel Patchwork and Apricot Twist will be in bud again very soon keep an ear out.

Polemonium Heaven Scent shows great early colour in the garden and the flower shoots and buds are just appearing above the lovely bronzed green foliage. Signs of activity from some of the Primula’s now as spring approaches. The denticulata varieties are showing their early buds and the odd splash of colour.

White splashed leaves and lovely pale blue flowers still coming on the Pulmonaria Opal. Still have a few Symphytum Wisley Blue left in bud/flower. Subtle pale blue flowers appear early every year.

The overwintered Lupin’s, Digitalis and Delph’s are all looking full of promise and vigour. Monster Lupins, very pleased with these.Not sure if I should mention Lathyrus vernus they are going to disappear so quick and I don’t have a huge number. We were experimenting with timings etc to get a flowering neat crop so I didn’t order too many, just in case, but they are ok and in flower now, but don’t tell anyone please. This is a reward for those who read to the very bottom!

Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries

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