Hairy and 'Action'

Hi,
Happy Easter to one and all. Brains a bit fuzzy after the organised chaos of a pre-Easter week of
deliveries. Looks like the weather is going to be spectacular over the weekend, I hope it all goes well for you.
Back to cooler temperatures after that but that probably suits us fine. It should be warm enough for some quicker growth but not too hot and everyone thinking it's summer time already.
It's been a very hectic few weeks and quite a contrast to last year when the miserable cold start meant that this past equivalent week was our first busy one. There was a lot of stock sitting around looking for a home and a few anxious weeks juggling a faltering cash-flow. Still juggling the cash-flow but hopefully not for quite as long this year. All part of the fab career lifestyle we chose!
We managed to get most, but not quite all, of the deliveries complete before the end of play on Thursday thanks to heroic efforts in despatch and by the drivers who all had their challenges this week. We lost one van for a few hours with a puncture near Coventry and another is now in the garage to be sorted out after it went into 'limp mode' near Cambridge and displayed a few exciting lights on its way home. Luckily on both occasions all the orders got delivered and everyone got home safely which is the most important thing.
We got stuck into some very satisfying tunnel clearing and productive potting today and we have a team in on Friday and Saturday to do a bit more. That leaves me Sunday to catch up with the label printing and Monday to make a start on the orders for next week with another small team. Hopefully this will get another '4 day week' off to a flying start. We won't be delivering on Monday but should be out on Tuesday, though possibly with one vehicle short. We'll see what develops. Apologies for the shortfall in the herb supply again. We have hit our 'hungry gap' with many of our over-wintered plants finishing and the fresh crops not quite there yet. A wider range will return as soon as we can coax some rampant growth into the plants. Again a bit of a contrast to last year when we were overrun with stock at this stage and ended up throwing some away when it got too big!
Slightly scary email today from a TV current affairs researcher who is looking into a piece on sustainability issues in the gardening industry for a big network. I provided a bit of background on what we have been up to over the years and tried to get over our pretty small size, trying to hit a balance between being helpful but not too enthusiastic. I don't want to be negative but they are going to have to work hard to get me in front of a camera, it's not really something I would look forward to and I'd have to get a haircut. I'm quite capable of making a prat of myself in normal day to day life without feeling the need for someone to record it and play it to the world. I'm hoping they will come across more influential and informed people once their research is complete. Let's wait and see what happens....

Availability highlights
Camassia Maybelle was showing nothing up until Wednesday then suddenly all the buds start to appear. A bit more compact than others of this type, it is a lovely blue once open although still in tight bud as we speak. I've a nice batch of this but it won't hang around long.
The ever popular Erysimum Bowles Mauve are looking fabulous as we get into spring. Very smart and colour showing now as the first flowers begin to open. Selling through fast so don't miss out.
The pink Pyrethrum rosea have just shot up their flower stems with bud on top, we don't have many of this pretty pink daisy, it's a classic cottage garden plant. The Pyrethrum Robinsons Red variety will follow very quickly. Another classic Jacobs Ladder are pushing up flower stems too. Both Polemonium White and the Blue are both in action.
The compact Erodium Bishops Form are beginning to put on a show, they go on for months producing their deep pink flowers. Although not in flower, the Hostas are mostly up and looking smart. A fab range with the leaves just beginning to unfurl.
The compact low growing Achillea Desert Eve range is now on line. The yellow variety is first in bud but the others are close behind. Campanula glomerata Superba and pers. Alba are starting to produce flower stems, with colour just round the corner. Lovely batches of the classic Geum Lady Stratheden and Mrs Bradshaw are ready to go. Bud is just around the corner, I have spotted a few but not enough to mark on the list yet.
We still have a few really strong Japanese Anemone for sale. Chunky over wintered plants raring to go. One of my favourites. Rudbeckia Goldsturm and the varoius Echinacea varieties are selling well. They will be a while before they produce flower but they are great plants.
Have a great week from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.