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