Hairy Super Sales

Hi Everyone,
Apologies for the delay in getting this list out there. It has been even more hectic this week than last week. In fact it was a record week for hairy pot sales, just beating the previous record back in 2010 when we were supplying a couple of big chains with allocated start of season orders. A more realistic comparison would be with last year's best week, because last year was our best year of more 'normal' sales. This week was 33% up on the best of last year and that is with lots of customers still closed. It's no wonder other nurseries are struggling to cope if they are dealing with a higher percentage of garden centre customers. We just about managed to get everyone's orders out although four small ones did have to slip into a Saturday morning delivery. Frustratingly we had the van capacity but couldn't process the orders fast enough despite raiding the lab for all their staff whenever we could. We have nearly all the nursery staff back, although the lab staffing is still very depleted for a variety of reasons. We have one new helper who started 2 weeks ago, which is working out really well and hopefully we will have equal success with two more who are starting in the next couple of weeks. It's quite tricky integrating extra new staff when we are all trying to keep the social distancing up, especially when the work pressure is so high. So far it has gone pretty well with everyone remembering the rules most of the time. A few verbal reminders are needed when excitement gets the better of some, but overall everyone coping really well to keep safe and be productive.
I will stop rabbiting on as I need to get this list out there and I have a shed load of other chores to get through before we start the whole process again on Monday.

Availability list highlights
Just a warning that herbs stocks are now very low after bonkers demand over the last two weeks. We have more stock coming on but you may have to be patient with us on volume deliveries. I'm not sure quite how we are going to manage this but some may go short on herb varieties and hopefully you can sell a few more perennials, although sales of these are nuts too. There is still stock out there and more coming on, so we are hoping the system isn't going to fall apart, but these are such unpredictable times we have to take each day as it comes. We will all have to continue to be a bit more flexible than usual if we are to get all the stock delivered over the next few weeks, but as always we will do our best.
Main current highlights on the flowering stock front are;
Both Oxalis are now in bud with a bit of colour showing on the Iron Cross. Monarda Balmy series in three colours looking strong short and bushy. Just about to show their buds looking at their peak.
Erigeron Wayne Roderick really chunky and strong with loads of buds and a few opening now in all this sunshine. The first of our Hemerocalis are now in bud. The fab dark flowered Black Prince has plenty of tight bud now. Tradescantia Blue and Gold are now showing good bud and a flash of colour. Incarvillea a late emerger but rushes up to flower pretty quickly. It's up and buds are on show and colour too, so don't miss it.
Helianthus in a range of colours now in bud and showing colour. We have some strong bushy Crocosmia varieties looking great, it will be a while before they flower, perfect for planting now. Fresh lovely batches of Delph's coming ready. Fast growers at this time of year and will be flowering in no time. Rhodanthemums are now looking lovely with the first of their all summer flowering just started. Small tight plants they are about to go forth and make a show of themselves. This year we have two new Salvia varieties to accompany Hot Lips which sells in such big numbers. Amethyst Lips and Cherry Lips are great variations to join the team and will they will all be in bud very soon. Short and bushy at the moment, this is going to be the start of hopefully, a long season of Salvia sales. We have a few charming viola's in flower, but only a few,
The Verbena Lollipop and rigida are throwing up flower spikes, but again only a few left. There are more in the pipeline, Helianthemums are showing loads of colour, they just go on and on, 3 colours, gold, cerise and pink. The short Eryngium Blue Hobbit is showing off its spiky flower stems and buds. Just a few Alcea (Hollyhocks) left, be quick they will be gone in a fortnight if not before. (Purple and nigra) Only two Dianthus varieties left (Coconut Sundae and Romance). A couple of fresh batches just coming into first bud now.
Take care out there, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.