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