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