Hectic and Hairy

Morning all,

I knew it was going to be a hectic week, with a pleasant previous weekend, the sun out and very warm temperatures, plus the complications of me trying to isolate but still keep things going, but it surpassed all expectations and went nuts. Our second busiest week ever, just falling behind the reopening mayhem after the first lockdown in 2020. I have been set up in a plastic bubble in the print room with my computer and label printer trying to make a positive contribution to the weeks efforts and we have managed to get all the orders out before the weekend, so we must have got something right. 

Needless to say there are always a few extra challenges thrown in to keep us on our toes, a couple of our part timers are moving on to other pursuits, the new potting machine arrived in the middle of all the despatch excitement, the acid delivery came in on Tuesday after asking for it to come at the end of the week when we were less busy, we had a driver off for three days and to top it all off the big van got in a tangle in London, losing a couple of lights and mashing up the front corner. Classic timing, we have had that van over 12 years and never had to make a claim on it, then the week before it is traded in for a new one this happens. Luckily our garage was able to patch it up to see us through its last week (I hope), but with the other vehicle being a hire van I suspect the claims on their side might be a bit chunky. At least no one was hurt which is the most important thing and we didn't dent the new one! One more week to go and the shiny new on arrives. Wey-hey.

Going to try and fit up the new potting machine tomorrow after detaching the old one and dragging it out of the way. In theory the new one is basically the same despite it looking quite different. Things have apparently moved on since 1999, now we have way more switches and controls to adjust stuff, might be a bit technical for me. There also don't appear to be any instructions, not a problem, we probably wouldn't have read them anyway. It would be good to get it all set up before next week so that potting plans aren't as disrupted as they were this week.

The worst bit of my covid adventure hasn't been the symptoms (pretty mild), it has been the isolation from everyone. There's lots of shouting through windows and masks, but over a week of eating and sleeping on my own, with food being left on the threshold, does make me feel very solitary. It was ok for a few days but now I am really missing just the presence of someone else close by. Still, it has been worth it, I don't seem to have spread it any further (touch wood) and fingers crossed I will be testing negative before the weekend is out.

In a moment of weakness I agreed (before we got so manically busy) to address the village Hort Society after their AGM (next week) on how we recovered after the first lockdown. They were all beneficiaries of our big plant giveaway at the time, and we received some fantastic support in return, but they would like to hear how it all panned out. Me and my big mouth. 

Availability list highlights

Please do bear in mind that it is still early in the season so our unheated plant growth, although healthy, is likely to be 'tight' in habit and not big, soft and lush. There isn't a lot of colour yet and where there is some, the plants are disappearing fast.

The first of the Camassia varieties (C. Carulea) are now showing fat buds. They fly once at this stage so don't hold back Anemone blanda herald the spring with their pretty displays of scrambling flowers. We have plenty of Blue Shades and White Splendour ready to go both with bud and flower, and promise of lots more to come.

The warm temperatures and sunshine have brought on several of the Geum varieties with a flush of new growth and some buds. Lemon Drops is a new one for this year, very dainty. Brunnera macrophylla (perennial forget-me-not) looking good with blue spring flowers on show. The variegated form is looking smart too but it flowers a week or two later.

All the Ajuga varieties have suddenly shot up their low flower shoots. The odd violet-blue bloom opening in the warmth. Robust and bushy overwintered Lupins looking great. The first of several batches, but these are always the best. Not many left. Dicentra spectabilis and spectabilis Alba are shooting and showing bud already. They are very tight short plants at the moment but will very quickly gain size and volume. Easy to handle at this stage, less easy the bigger they get, due to their fleshy nature.

Fritillaria (Snakes Head Lilly) have emerged and have their first buds showing. Very popular but only a few left. Pulmonaria Mageste in bud and coming into colour now, last variety left so don't hang about. Not in flower but always very popular, the Alliums are shooting nicely. It's a shame the foliage goes a bit tatty by the time they flower, as they are both such great garden plants. Good ones for the pollinators.

Spring favourite the Erysimum's are now in bud. We have some lovely batches of Salvia nemerosa varieties bulking up well with the occasional variety already in bud. A spring flush of healthy shoot growth on our overwintered Phlox range, all looking very strong. Best crop ever.

Take care out there, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries

Hairy isolation

Morning all,

Looks like spring is upon us, so brace yourselves. Last week was much busier for us, but with sunshine and warmer temperatures on the horizon I suspect next week could be frantic. Probably not the best moment to catch covid but hey-ho I’m sure we’ll manage. I timed it quite well for the end of the week, which gives us today and the weekend to set up an isolated office and print room so I can still make a contribution and add an extra element to the chaos. I’m currently isolating upstairs but linked to the office, so I can still do something. Fingers crossed my mild symptoms clear off quickly so I can regain my usual levels of mental fogginess. Apologies in advance if we are slightly less organised next week, although I’m sure it will all be fine.

After waiting so long for big stuff to happen, naturally it’s all suddenly about to hit the fan, in our busiest week with covid complications in the mix, ace. Looks like the new van will be ready in the next few days, the irrigation pump fitter has just arrived to replace the pump motors and control system, the new potting machine is suddenly imminent and the balance of our wooden box components arrived yesterday. The main worry is getting the irrigation up and running again after he takes off the old motors today. I’m hoping that getting a specialist man in to do it for us, all will go smoothly, fingers crossed. It will certainly be a relief to get the pumps working as they should, before it gets too warm, we have spent months turning them on and off manually which has been a pain and a waste of power too.

The current peat-free debates are still hitting the headlines and we are constantly being bombarded with requests to put our views into the mix, but to be honest we would rather keep a low profile. No single solution to this sort of problem is ever going to be perfect and the positive benefits of peat use to some specialist growers is difficult to argue against. The reaction generally to losing peat, I suspect, is overplayed by many and it is the fear and risk of change that holds many decision makers back. We have been potting in peat-free composts for many years and most of the time we get very good results, often better than we used to get from our peat reduced mixes, but it does go wrong from time to time, if we risk more change. This time last year I was looking at two entire tunnels of stock lost to a large peat-free trial which scorched off the plant roots, whereas this year the same crops in our usual mix, are fab. However, without the risk taking we wouldn’t be where we are today, with a standalone successful product in a buoyant market, hence the aim to keep a fairly low profile. I have no desire to take over the world of plant production, I would just like to slip into my later years without the pressures of everyone trying to make our market more difficult, flattering though that might be! Unfortunately I did reply to one email, addressed specifically to me, asking for my thoughts, only to find out later that the request was meant for a different ‘Derek’. Too late, I’ve now opened a new can of worms. I just can’t keep a lid on it!

Availability list highlights

Please do bear in mind that it is still early in the season so our unheated plant growth, although healthy, is likely to be 'tight' in habit and not big, soft and lush. There isn't a lot of colour yet and where there is some, the plants are disappearing fast. Anemone blanda herald the spring with their pretty displays of scrambling flowers. We have plenty of Blue Shades and White Splendour ready to go both with bud and flower, and promise of lots more to come.

Robust and bushy overwintered Lupins looking great. The first of several batches, but these are always the best. Aubretia in blue and red shades are looking fantastic with bushy, tight growth and masses of bud with colour showing, in both colours. Spring First is a great new early and long flowering strain. At their peak now and not many left.

Primula veris (Cowslip) have bud flashes of sunshine yellow. Last few left, don't miss out. Ever popular Erythronium Pagoda is up and showing early buds. It has a short selling window, so don't wait too long. Dicentra spectabilis and spectabilis Alba are shooting and showing bud already. They are very tight short plants at the moment but will very quickly gain size and volume. Easy to handle at this stage, less easy the bigger they get, due to their fleshy nature. Fritillaria (Snakes Head Lilly) have emerged and have their first buds showing. Very popular.

Distinctly unsubtle are the Doronicum which have the odd eye popping yellow flower already open. Pulmonaria Mageste in bud and coming into colour now, last variety left so don't hang about. Not in flower but always very popular, the Alliums and Camassia bulbs are shooting nicely. It's a shame the foliage goes a bit tatty by the time they flower, as they are both such great garden plants. Good ones for the pollinators.

Muscari latifolium showing tight violet blue bud on compact neat plants. Spring favourite the Erysimum's are already in tight bud. A spring flush of healthy shoot growth on our overwintered Phlox range, all looking very strong. 

Take care out there, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries

Hairy prices

Morning all,

Looks like next week will see a better run of weather, after a slightly unsettled and breezy weekend. Perhaps not quite full blown spring madness yet but I'm not complaining as we are still trying to get our winter chores completed. We are gathering ourselves for an interesting season and hoping that world events don't deal us all too many more bad hands. We seem to be being hit by more and more price rises, each one nibbling away at the margins or even taking big bites out of it. The diesel increase over the last couple of weeks are raising eyebrows not only on fuelling our own vans but also adding to input costs where extra delivery charges are beginning to mount. 

We use a small amount of nitric acid to correct the Ph in our irrigation water and I ordered some more this week as the tank is getting low. We only get a couple of loads in each year and the cost was pretty insignificant at about £370/load but not so now. I have been guided towards a figure well over £1,500, but we can't even fix that, it will be charged at the going rate on the day of delivery because prices are so volatile. Scary times, I've never seen it like this before, even when mortgage rates went up to 15% I don't remember it being this nuts. Thankfully we don't use huge amounts of fuel and generate much of our own electricity which will help. Then having reusable wooden trays and low plastic purchasing volumes (mostly long-lasting tunnel covers) means we are not constantly buying new stuff for all our production and marketing needs. If we can improve efficiencies and reduce waste again we should be ok in not getting out of our depth and fingers crossed things will calm down again at some point.

Another year has passed as I pass another annual marker. A wild and decadent time was had, with gifts of delicious beer and chocolate and a pair of second-hand laces for my work boots! Cake all round on the nursery went down well and a quiet night in (Caroline went to the football) with pie and carrots, We know how to live it up!

It's nice to see social activities beginning to get back in line. Our skittles and jive dancing have started up again and I can see some more relaxation coming back into many people's lives. We are off to see a young Dorset guitarist on Saturday at the local village hall, it's his first ticketed gig which must be so exciting for him after two years of very restricted activity for so many musicians. Hopefully world events won't conspire to cock it all up, we could all do with a little light relief after what seems like years of anxiety and stress.

Availability list highlights

Please do bear in mind that it is still wintertime so our unheated plant growth, although healthy, is likely to be winter 'tight' in habit and not big, soft and lush. There isn't a lot of colour yet and where there is some, the plants are disappearing fast. A bit more warmth and we'll get another flush of varieties, I can see the signs of action, some just not quite enough on some to send out just yet.

Anemone blanda herald the spring with their pretty displays of scrambling flowers. We have plenty of Blue Shades and White Splendour ready to go both with bud and flower, and promise of lots more to come. Aubretia in blue and red shades are looking fantastic with bushy, tight growth and masses of bud with colour showing, in both colours. Spring First is a great new early and long flowering strain.

Primula veris (Cowslip) have bud and the odd flash of very early sunshine yellow. Last few left, don't miss out. Spring flowering Symphytum Wisley Blue just starting to show bud and flashes of colour. It's a bit subtle, but we like it. Ever popular Erythronium Pagoda is up and showing early buds. It has a short selling window, so don't wait too long.

Dicentra spectabilis and spectabilis Alba are shooting and showing bud already. They are very tight short plants at the moment but will very quickly gain size and volume. Easy to handle at this stage, less easy the bigger they get, due to their fleshy nature. Fritillaria (Snakes Head Lilly) have emerged and have their first buds showing. Very popular.

Distinctly unsubtle are the Doronicum which have the odd eye popping yellow flower already open. Pretty dark leaved Viola labridorica are shooting nicely, carrying a few blue/purple flowers and buds. Pulmonaria Mageste in bud and coming into colour now, last variety left so don't hang about.

Not in flower but always very popular at this time of year, the Alliums and Camassia bulbs are shooting nicely. It's a shame the foliage goes a bit tatty and they are impossible to handle in a pot by the time they flower, as they are both such great garden plants. Good ones for the pollinators.

Muscari latifolium showing tight violet blue bud on compact neat plants. Muscari Album also showing tight bud. Spring favourite the Erysimum's are already in tight bud. A spring flush of healthy shoot growth on our overwintered Phlox range, all looking very strong. 

Take care out there, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries

Hairy Hats!

Morning all,

Perhaps not the perfect run of weather over the last couple of weeks, but best to get it out of the way early so we can make the most of the warming spring madness weeks to come. It was busier again this week but perhaps not quite up to expectations for the first week of March, but we are already ahead on the sales front so I'm not worried about it, in fact it has been a handy couple of weeks to do a bit of catching up after the storm. On Thursday morning we had a short calm window of opportunity to whip over the second tunnel cover and get it fastened down before the breeze picked up, which was a huge relief. It feels like we are back to maximum capacity ready for another busy season. We also finished rebuilding the door frames, doors and vents of the other casualty of the storm, so other than the odd stray broken branch we are just about back to normal. We slotted in some more winter cutting back, potting and wooden label printing although probably not enough. There always seems to be more work to do than time available!

Managed to squeeze in a little 'me time' this week, when I had the last of my wisdom extracted. It was pretty painless at the time although the credit card took a bit of a beating. They were so nice about it although slightly alarmist with their warnings of what could go wrong in the next couple of weeks. Apparently blowing my nose too hard or sneezing and holding it in, might blow a hole into my sinus from the tooth socket, leading to any drinks consumed ending up coming back through my nose! Sounds like an evening's entertainment in itself, but perhaps not very dignified. Best to give me some space just in case I have to go for a covid unfriendly blast. At the rate I'm going I'm going to be on a soup only diet in a few years, but hey-ho at least we are still on our feet in most ways.

Lots more kit modelling this week with the arrival of our second batch of logoed clothing. There seems to be a long term shortage of stock of some items but the majority seems to be here now. The beanies are the favourite this time, smart and cosy plus all made of recycled stuff. Still can't shift any more aprons, just too cissy for most. I love mine.

Still looking forward to the delivery of our new big van, but can't get a delivery date yet. Only been on order since last April! Finished the stewed fruit last night, this time disguised as very large trifle (2015 sponges found in larder). Phew.

Availability list highlights

Please do bear in mind that it is still wintertime so our unheated plant growth, although healthy, is likely to be winter 'tight' in habit and not big, soft and lush. There isn't a lot of colour yet and where there is some, the plants are disappearing fast. A bit more warmth and we'll get another flush of varieties, I can see the signs of action, some just not quite enough on some to send out just yet.

Anemone blanda herald the spring with their pretty displays of scrambling flowers. We have Blue Shades and White Splendour ready to go both with bud and flower, and promise of more to come. An eye catching burst of violent pink flowers now showing on the Primula grandiflora Rosea.

Aubretia in blue and red shades are looking bushy, nice and tight in growth habit with some occasional flower colour showing, in both colours and carrying lots of tight bud. Spring First is an early and long flowering strain.

I don't have a lot of stock of Primula denticulata this year, but they are now just coming into bud. Primula veris (Cowslip) have bud and the odd flash of very early sunshine yellow.

Spring flowering Symphytum Wisley Blue just starting to show bud. It's a bit subtle for some, but we like it. Distinctly unsubtle are the Doronicum which have the odd eye popping yellow flower already open.

Pretty dark leaved Viola labridorica are shooting nicely, carrying a few blue/purple flowers and buds. A nice range of Pulmonaria in bud now, running a bit short on some varieties so don't hang about.

Not in flower but always very popular at this time of year, the Alliums and Camassia bulbs are shooting nicely. It's a shame the foliage goes a bit tatty and they are impossible to handle in a pot by the time they flower, as they are both such great garden plants. Good ones for the pollinators. Blue Muscari showing tight bud on compact neat plants.

Scilla sibirica have royal blue colour peaking through. An early spring stunner and selling through quickly. Our dwarf Narcissus varieties are starting to bud up now and look springy. They won't hang around long, as I try not to overdo volumes of this sort of plant, just in case the weather turns on me!

Spring favourite the Erysimum's are already in tight bud. A spring flush of healthy shoot growth on our overwintered Phlox range, all looking very strong. 

Take care out there, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries