Hairy mountains

Morning all,

Despite there being 5 days in the week again we struggled to get through the mountains of work. This is a time of year where it all seems to happen. Rapid growth, flowers appearing, weeds growing, potting needed, irrigation faltering, box shortages and masses of modules arriving for this year and next. We can turn from feeling vaguely under control to being completely lost. This week had some major distractions too, with three people early in the week having to construct boxes to try and keep the orders flowing out of the door. They should really have been doing something else more productive and the consequence is that other jobs later in the week got put on hold because we ran out of time. It doesn't help that we lost nearly 200 hrs work time this week with various absences and illnesses, it's not as if we are even a very big nursery. Oh the joys of running an idyllic rural business.

On the positive side we have recovered to much better stock levels of both the flowering plants and herbs, as I suspect have a lot of other nurseries. The warmer weather has encouraged the buds out and suddenly we can actually put together orders with a bit of colour in them, or at least potential colour if the buds are still early. It's a much nicer position to be in with so much choice, although I suspect the accountant would rather we kept to the lower stock levels and reduced the wastage that can occur with over stocking.

Hopefully the football won't be too much of a distraction for the gardening consumers and they continue to beat a way to your doors, we certainly need to keep the orders moving out over the next few weeks as I have been quite bold with the potting volumes! I'm slightly nervous about what will happen next, although we are still selling batches through really quickly which indicates I can't sensibly stop the potting.

Physically fell apart this week, started off breaking a tooth last Friday night on a crusty pizza, leaving a sharp bit of tooth sticking into my tongue whenever I talked, swallowed or chewed. I wasn't much fun to be around after that, it's surprising how much swallowing and chewing you do in a day, but luckily I got to the dentist on Thursday and he filed off. It will have to come out but not just yet, that'll be something else to look forward to. On Saturday I broke the bolt that holds the potting machine drill in position and had to drill it out. Managed that bit ok, but while using a screwdriver to remove the remaining thread left in the hole, the shaft turned in my hand and I impaled myself with some force right into the area between the forefinger and thumb. Luckily no-one was there to hear the response, but that ended my days work with that hand. Caroline came to sort me out and was a little relieved it wasn't a little more spectacular after my description over the walkie talkie. I was expertly treated with steristrips and plasters to hold it all together and all eventually healed up nicely. Greg finished off the repair, so that was a result and I was able to catch up on some paperwork and label printing. All's well that ends well and all that.

Time to stop and fall asleep in front of the football I think, although I suspect by the time I get in it will be just about all over. Never mind, England on Sunday so that'll be exciting. The build up always has so much potential, we could win it.

Wooden Box shortages

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

Availability list highlights

Loads more stuff is ready now of both the perennials and herbs, so please do take a look at the attached list. There is quite a lot of bud appearing on quite a few lines so sales should be flying with a bit of luck. I have run out of time again 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 & 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