Morning all,
Again last week's plan worked to a degree, but an even smaller degree than last week's! Sales plummeted by a whole 1% which basically means we are now out of stock of anything that could be described as a 'perennial range'. I'm sorry but we can't even offer a perennial selection of our own choice to make up a minimum order. Thankfully we did make it through to the end of last week and got round to everyone with an order of some size, even if it might not have been as much as you might have desired in a perfect world. We are now going to have to wait at least a week for some new growth to get going on the late winter potted crops and the cold nights haven't really helped on that front. I am fairly desperate not to send stock out without some major sign of root and shoot activity so we have to have a pause in supply, otherwise we will get over-stressed about letting people down on the quality front. Hopefully there will be a sudden rush of fresh supplies from lots of nurseries as we all bounce back from this manic start to the season. There is still plenty of time for things to catch up again once supplies recover, I am hoping a week or two's patience will pay dividends in the long run.
I suspect there could be a huge surge in supply in the next few weeks which is going to be tricky for us all to cope with, but when I think back to this time last year when nearly all our customers were shut and we were in the middle of distributing most of our spring stock into the local communities, there are worse positions to be in. Hopefully we will all have another really long season, it's knackering I know, but fantastic for the cash-flow and feeling positive about the future of UK plant sales.
We are going to have a selection of herbs to offer again this week, so there are some sales opportunities, although I know it is a bit restrictive. I don't have enough volume of any particular herbs to put together a proper list, it will be pot luck again, although we will always listen to any guidance you want to give. Despite what Caroline might say I will try and listen to the guidance, even if occasionally I may forget and the run off the rails in the heat of battle.
The wooden tray battle was won again but we did run out on 4 days of the 5 in the week and had to resort to emergency construction of the pre-prepared new box parts. Just about made it through and a quieter week (we hope) next week might help us recover the situation. Very pleased with the new boxes which look fab. It was quite hard to let them go out after all that effort.
Still no swallows here yet, although my sister in law spotted one while out on a walk last weekend, so they are about. I had a nice encounter with a tawny owl during the week. It was just off darkness in the evening on my way back up to the house and perched on the overhead power cable just ahead of me was the said owl. Unmistakable profile against the late evening sky and so close, he took off after a moment and languidly disappeared into one of the big trees in the garden. We hear them calling all the time but rarely see them, a lovely sight.
Old van went into garage to investigate an Ad-blue electric fault which threatened to stop the van after a certain number of miles. Previously checked out by our garage, the dealer in Winchester and then the main one in Basingstoke this week. After having this fault for three weeks, it of course disappeared the instant it arrived at the big garage, they couldn't even find a log of the fault on the engine management computer. So we have it back, awaiting the next drama!
Signs of payment action last week and the imminent arrival of the new van evaporated during the week after covid isolation issues at the constructors. Possibly late next week if all goes well, fingers crossed.
Must go, I have a 7.00am potting shift starting tomorrow (Saturday), then it's back to screen printing box sides and herb sowing for Sunday. I'm hopeful of a walk to spot swallows in October if all goes well. November holiday in St Ives is booked, it'll be here before you know it.
Take care out there, and don't forget the main thing, breath in and out. Can't go wrong.
There is still a Very Urgent Box return appeal
Please do send back any empty wooden trays you may have accumulated, we are REALLY, REALLY, desperate for them at the moment, otherwise we won't have anything to send the plants out in. The first few new box parts arrived this afternoon and we have more on order to bulk things up a bit, but at close to £10 a box this year, by the time we have printed and constructed them ourselves, it is not a cheap or easy option to simply increase box stock levels. We are spending £40,000 on the new stock but that is not helping us yet. As things stand tonight I have enough boxes for about half a day's deliveries next week so we are very reliant on getting more returned. I know they are an investment on our part, and over many years of multiple use they are still great value, but they only earn their keep if they are in proper repetitive use. Thanks.
Availability list highlights
We can do a selection of our own choice of the herb range only for this coming week and can take a little guidance on any lines you don't need. We may have to restrict total volumes on orders to a trolley or possibly two of herbs, to ensure everyone who wants something will hopefully get some. We have a few more herbs than recent weeks with a few strawberries coming on line after recovering from earlier rabbit grazing, but still not many. There is lots more on the way, just not quite yet.
If you are desperate we may be able to add the odd tray of perennials to the order, but it will only be the odd tray, we haven't a hope of making up anything like a full trolley.
Take care out there, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries
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