Well we got away quite lightly last weekend, it was very wild but damage was minimal. Even the previously split tunnel cover is still there. We had a few things blown about and quite a big windbreak conifer came down, but luckily just missed the tunnels. Now we have to go through it all again this weekend, without even a nice Saturday to welcome it in. Looks like the drains will be working overtime over the next few days, good job we put them in, it has prevented quite a bit of flooding although not all. It's been an ongoing project for the last 3 winters, we picked the most vulnerable sites first and are gradually working round the nursery. Not too many to go now but when the weather is like this I do wonder if we have done enough. Unfortunately these storms don't do any favours to large volume plant sales, especially when they fall on the weekend. Luckily we are going full tilt yet and I feel better about everyone being safe at home, rather than working here in this weather.
Potting machine is up and running again after a very helpful engineer popped out and shortened our replacement drive chains to make them fit. Running nicely and all primed for the oncoming season. Trouble is once we put one thing right the challenges just shuffle along somewhere else! Pressing on with the wooden label printing this week, with Friday marked down for a big push. About 100 labels in and whoosh, off pops one of the little air lines in the printer. The push-fit attachment still pushes but no longer fits. No grip, just blows off again. No problem, I have a second older machine which I use for spares, just cannibalise that. No luck, it must have happened before, as both identical fitting on that machine are loose and have the same problem. Why can't I remember that? (No need to answer that, thanks). Thanks goodness for the internet, after a bit of research I traced down the exact part (I hope) and ordered it for next day delivery. One tiny part stopped all printing, a bit scary.
Price changes for 2020
Don't forget the new prices for the new season. A very modest rise for the year of an average of less than 2% can be seen on the prices page of the 2020 flipbook catalogue which came into force on January 1st (link attached to this email). If we pre- price your deliveries, you might want to review your prices for the year and let us know of any changes so that we can adjust your records and make sure we have the printing plates and labels ready to roll for your first delivery.
Availability lists
Plants are definitely waking up. A flush of tight fresh green growth is showing through on many, the buds are swelling and the odd flash of colour showing. More varieties have made it to the list this week with the mild weather pushing things along.
New on the list for this week is Anemone blanda Blue which is up and showing bud and the odd flash of colour. I don't have a huge number so don't hold back too long. We have a few new small Narcissus to look forward to this spring, they are looking strong and most varieties are now in bud. Jetfire, Tete a Tete and Topolino are showing loads of bud on super short stems, which is encouraging. I wish I'd done more. Polemonium Heaven Scent always puts on a great early show and they are currently sprouting attractive chunky bronze foliaged rosettes, before the buds appear in a few weeks. Frittilaria (snakeshead lily) are just beginning to show the occasional bud after recently breaking through.The earliest of the Pulmonaria are budding up with the odd open flower.
Crocus Remembrance are well up and their little fat flower buds are there with the odd flash of purple in evidence. The dark blue flowers of Scilla sibirica are breaking the surface of the pot, such a strong colour so early in the year. A new Camassia for us this season is C. Sacajawea, not the most 'roll off the tongue' name, but it produces dramatic stripy variegated leaves around its white flowers. A stunner and looking good already.
Most of the Euphorbia's are now in bud, with their arching stems looking elegant already.
There is the odd flower opening on our home sown wild primroses (P. vulgaris) above tight little plants. The plants will expand and more flowers appear as the temperatures and light levels improve.
There are more Erysimums budding up too, it might be a little while before colour appears but they are there. Super Bowl Mauve does now have the first buds colouring and opening. Primula denticulata Rubra is showing colour now, with the lilac/purple form close behind. Spring flowering Symphytum are showing early tight bud, a strong plant with subtle pale blue flowers. The snowdrops (Galanthus) are still in flower, just a few left now.
There are also quite a few evergreen plants looking happy enough over the winter period, so we can make a nice display up of stock with the promise of the good times ahead. Spring flowering Euphorbia, Bergenia and Doronicum are good as are Leucanthemum, Papaver, Stachys and Digitalis.
Best wishes for a great season, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.
No comments:
Post a Comment