Hairy soaking

Morning all,

Where is all the time going, August already and not enough potted here. Mild panic setting in as to how we are going to fit it all in this summer before the nights draw in and growth slows. That point is still quite a few weeks away yet but I am determined to make sure we are carrying over loads of strong stock this winter without a spare inch of production area uncovered, I can't face running out of stock like we all did in the spring. The difficulty is just trying to shoe horn in all the different tasks at the moment, despatching, crop trimming, tunnel clearing, pricking out and potting. We seem to have lots of people on the books but never quite enough on the job. Holidays are kicking in now, as well as plenty of other absences for one reason or another, family crisis, sport injuries, car issues, study demands, dancing demands, covid scares, builder problems, long term illnesses, the list goes on. As soon as one is back another goes off. I think it was Monday we had 9 off! it's hardly surprising how it all adds up and impacts on what you want to get done. I can't even blame anyone as they are all perfectly legitimate reasons and everyone has certainly earned some time off after such a mad 18 months. One day at a time and we will get there.

Just an early heads up, that prices will be increasing at the end of the year by more than usual. I suspect this is going to be fairly typical of both UK and European suppliers, as so many costs have just gone through the roof. We have worked so hard this season and it looks like any extra returns we made have been more than swallowed up in those increases. As growers if we are going to attract the desperately needed young guns, we are going to have to be financially viable with lots of potential, at the moment that is not the case.

A combination of advancing years and tiredness manifested itself this week with a near drowning, well a bit of a soaking anyway. On the way up the track to the house for lunch, I got caught in a really torrential downpour, so heavy that I gave up outdoor progress to duck into a tunnel for shelter. I was stood there, still with the remains of my brolly above my head, for a couple of minutes before I realised that I was really very wet. With the noise of the rain on the tunnel cover I hadn't noticed the irrigation was on which added significantly to my clothing water content. Lunch was taken in my underwear while trying to dry it all out. It might have been funny if it wasn't slightly tragic.

Availability list highlights

Oxalis Iron Cross with two tone leaves and red/pink flowers. A fresh short bushy batch in bud and ready to go. Anemone Pink Cloud is a new one to us this year and is suddenly thrusting up its chunky short flowers stems and bud. Loads of promise for a neat strong showing over the next few weeks.

Erigeron Stallone are perfect, loads of bud and flower and a nice chunky size. One of our best sellers through the summer. Both Gaillardia Messa Red and Messa Yellow varieties looking strong and showy. Eucomis autumnalis now showing their exotic creamy flower spikes. On the list this week is the popular Cerostigma plumbaginoides, showing its first buds and the odd flash of deep blue flowers, Penstemon Garnet are still putting on a good show and we are moving into a fresh batch of Sour Grapes which aren't quite as colourful yet, but show plenty of promise.

Osteospermum are still selling well. We have several batches potted in three varieties and all have flowers opening. Summer favourites the Gaura are all coming into bud and flowers opening on many, a nice range of colours bushy plants. Stunning batches of the Lobelia's are coming into bud, and showing colour and attractive foliage to back them up. Nice range of the scented Phlox Sweet Summer series now showing colour, Multiple stemmed and looking good. Fresh batches of Calamintha this week, with first flowers opening. Our two forms of Erodium have lots of tiny open flowers all over the plant surface with plenty of bud to follow.

Lavender Spear Blue, very bushy with loads of bud and colour, just perfect for those smelly lavender sales. The mini Chrysanthemums are back on the list and producing bud. Very compact and bushy in a good colour range. Most Crocosmia are standing tall and now showing bud. Tiarella wherrii (Foam Flower) is in flower with its short spikes of tiny creamy blooms. Popular summer star is the Platycodon which are on the list again and both varieties are already in bud and disappearing fast. Helichrysum Nevada range has an impressive display of bright papery flowers. 

Take care out there, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries