Hairy Hedgehog

Morning all,

Nice drop of steady rain on Wednesday, not enough but a start and quite a relief. Might get some heavy showers on Saturday night to add to the tally, so hoping that the very dry spell we have had down here may have come to an end. Just wondering how frustrated we would have been if we had managed to get our rain water harvesting system up and running before now? Perhaps not as frustrated as not being able to get the job underway in the first place due to groundwork delays. Just paid the invoices for the water storage tank, the pump and control gear which was quite a lump, and they are currently sitting on pallets locked away in the barn rather than potentially earning their keep. Worse things happen, so not too cross really and too busy to focus on it at this moment.

Despatch and production is all we can do at this time and cope with all the extra challenges that pop up along the way. Took delivery of another very expensive container of pots this week so we are nicely stocked up ready for a summer of potting, the barn is full and the bank balance empty, but they are 'mission critical' to the entire business so a nice banker to have in stock. With the unrest around the world and in Sri Lanka itself, we hope that our village pot production team are all safe and well. Back in the autumn we asked them to increase the pot price for this year, before we realised the massive increase in container costs, a decision I was kicking myself for, but on reflection it was definitely the right thing to do. The higher fuel and food prices we are all paying affect disadvantaged communities the hardest so we have to support them where we can. Just hoping that their production costs aren't going to soar and instantly wipe out the rise we agreed. We will have to wait and see what happens, like with a lot of things at the moment.

Lots of nature activity with a pair of swallows inspecting the barn over the last couple of days, skylarks singing away over the field and one of our tawny owls still calling in the middle of the day. Good weather most evenings to take a moment and drink it all in on my stagger back up to the house. Hedgehogs have started their nightly visits to Caroline's feeding site (for feeding hedgehogs, not Caroline, she is allowed in the house to eat!) in the back garden, spotted on the very useful infrared CCTV cameras. Caroline got taken out tonight to go and see Downton Abbey at the local flicks, not my cup of tea, it would just be like watching life at home.

Recruited a new member of the team last week to help cover the couple of losses we have had over the last few weeks and cope with the ever expanding demand for plants. With several years nursery experience we should get off to a flying start once he arrives in a few weeks. Probably still need another, but you never know what will land in your inbox, so we will see what happens.

Availability list highlights

After record sales again this spring stock is flying although the overall stock levels for the perennials is changing but still ok, just a bit short on flower action. Herb stocks are recovering despite huge demand this year.

Fresh batches of the Dreameria series of Armeria are coming on stream now. Selected for their very long flowering period and large flower size they promise to be a great new garden addition. Some of the Echinacea are running up their first flower stems with the odd bud showing. A little way off showing colour but definite signs of action.

Lovely crop of Aquilegia's at the moment in 5 colours. It won't be long before the flower stems appear. We have fresh crops of Digitalis, Lupins and Delphiniums on the list this week. Limited numbers of these popular and fast growing lines so don't hang back. Summer must be on its way with the appearance of the Oxalis. The purple leaved O. triangularis is up and running with bud already on show and the bicolour leaved Iron Cross is just a week or two behind.

Summer favourites are making a show now too and bud can't be far away for many. the hardy Osteospermum Tresco Purple looks strong and bushy, Salvia Hot Lips and Cherry Lips are romping away with the odd bud appearing already. Penstemons are coming online too although flower may be a little way off yet.

We have a nice fresh batch of the black flowered Viola Molly Sanderson ready to go and the metallic sheen of Irish Molly is looking good too. We don't have many in the first batches, but the compact Achillea Milly Rock series are mostly in bud now. More to come. Nice range of Hosta's this year, propagated in our own little microprop lab, they won't hang around long.

Have fun, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries