Hairy and hectic

Morning all,

Another quick one as it is starting to get dark and my tummy is rumbling. Early start for potting again in the morning, then another weekend of box printing and construction, plus a few herbs to sow. At least we should be without social disturbance this weekend after last week's birthday whirlwind. I'm not sure how we ever managed a social life before all this covid disruption, there just aren't enough hours in the week. At least there are a few weeks now without any bank holidays to get in the way of world domination, sorry, I mean nursery production.

Happily we had two returning crew members this week which helped get us through a very hectic and shortened week. They are only here for a few weeks but at this key time, it makes such a difference, especially when we are a few others short for various reasons. We also had a skeleton despatch team in on Monday which helped enormously in preparing a load of orders to get Tuesdays deliveries off to a flying start, so we are very grateful to them for giving up their day off.

The weather has at last turned warm and bright and the plants have responded with a leap forward in growth, so availability is now miles better with quite a few buds appearing too. Batches of plants will still be running out, such is the demand level at the moment, but we have plenty still coming on so there should still be a great selection. Now the issue comes back to the shortage of wooden boxes which is beginning to hamper despatch and trying to increase sales volumes so please do let us know if you have any spare. We are busy trying to put the new ones together and more parts should be arriving next week but it is a slow job and we have so much else to do. Putting them together as a winter job would be perfect, but trying to do it when there are so many other things we should be doing is very frustrating. Still, at least we are selling more plants overall, so it's a positive problem to have!

I was discussing earlier this week with a nursery friend about how tired we were both feeling at times at this hectic time and how easy it is to get a bit tetchy with others around you. We are both very lucky to have such understanding partners who end up taking the brunt of the fallout. However do forgive me if I am ever a bit short on the phone, it's probably just that Caroline wasn't here to absorb the impact of me forgetting to put my trousers on.

Wooden Box shortages

Same old story for this spring, we are still desperately short on our wooden display boxes, it is still hand to mouth on whether we get through each day without running out, so any returns are gratefully received. We are really dependant on those returns to keep on coming. Thanks.

Availability list highlights

Lots more stuff is ready now of both the perennials and herbs, so take a look at the attached list. There is quite a bit of bud appearing on quite a few lines so sales should be flying with a bit of luck. I have run out of time tonight to go through much in detail but things are looking hot.

We have grown a few more tender patio and flowering pot plants this summer, not huge numbers, but a few very floriferous highlights. There are ranges of Diasica, Nemesia (including Wisley Vanilla which is just so brilliantly scented), Verbena, Helichrysum, dwarf Helianthus, Euryops and Bidens. Masses of bud or flower for months on end, but not generally hardy.

Numbers of some lines may be still limited so there could be a few substitutions in the orders to make up numbers. If you prefer we can still do a selection of our own choice of the herb and/or perennial range again and will take your guidance on any lines you don't need.

Take care out there, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries