Hairy Jive

Morning all, 

Despite a slightly quieter week on the sales front we still seem to be struggling to get through a mountain of jobs. There is just never enough time in the growing season. We managed to catch up on our wooden marketing box repairs, which had been piling up over the last few weeks. I always start off with good intentions to keep up with that sort of job as we go along, but time is so precious it easily gets put on the back burner. We were going to do heaps of potting but struggled to clear enough space and came close to running out of potting compost, so had to scale back a bit. Not the end of the world and it did mean we got some other stuff done instead. Compost delivery arrived late today so all ready for the Saturday crew to get stuck into and maybe next week we will get a good run at it.

At one point this week I did wonder if I had done something to offend the transport gods. Firstly the garage phoned about the electric car we have had on order since last summer, to let us know that the deferred delivery time of May, was to be moved again to late August or early September. What is going on out there? At the end of last week we had the windscreen replaced on one of the vans which had been cracked in one corner for a little while. Did a great job but all to no avail as on the first trip out it got walloped by a big stone and we are back to square one. Monday saw another van in for a service and check over, it passed with flying colours only to burst a tyre on the next day. Hopefully that's our three.

It's quite tough at this time of year, when you get a bit over tired, not to just see the mistakes and missed opportunities that litter the nursery after such a hugely busy spring. The crops that didn't quite sell through, or didn't get cut back or spaced at the right time, the odd corner where the weed has got on top of us and those modules that never got potted. I have to be careful to try and remember that it's all the things that aren't there and I can't see, that will make the year a success. All those sales and deliveries rushed out at short notice which make the numbers add up so we can try and do it even better next time! I've already got a few little ideas for improvements to our overwintering jobs to speed things up and make us that little bit more efficient and properly ready for this spring madness. I like to think that one day we would get it all right, but I'm running out of years now and I suspect just doing it better will have to do.

I usually put my weekly Jive dance evenings on hold at this time of year due to obvious time pressures, but I fear I will now have to give up completely. My best (only) work trousers have been getting very thin and last weekend I managed to put my toe through the front of them, ripping the one leg wide open, making them un-wearable. That means my best trousers are now relegated to work-wear which means nothing to go out in unless I resort to black-tie or similar. Generally that would be considered over-kill on the dress front, although I suppose I could give it a go. Nothing wrong with raising the standards! 

Availability list highlights

As sales step back from manic levels and spring really gets warmed up we are gaining ground on having a bit more in bud and flower, plus the herbs are becoming more available too. It will be another week before we see any Basils on the list but it shouldn't be long. We don't have the heated facilities to risk growing them any earlier.

Lovely crop of Aquilegia's at the moment in 5 colours. Flower stems and buds are now on show so don't miss out. 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.

Feathery foliage of Coreopsis Zagreb is supporting plenty of tight bud, Nice and short. Most 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. Fresh crops of Dianthus in a good range of colours, bushy, in bud and well scented when the flowers open. Not many left but the Liatris spicata are showing bud now if you are quick.

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. Both forms are now in bud and showing the odd flash of colour. Summer favourite the hardy Osteospermum Tresco Purple looks strong and bushy,

Salvia Hot Lips and Cherry Lips are romping away with the buds appearing already. Penstemons are coming online too although flower may be a little way off yet. We have nice fresh batches of the black flowered Viola Molly Sanderson in flower and the metallic sheen from Irish Molly flowers are looking good too. The very summery sunshine yellow Viola Etain is in flower now too. 

Have fun, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries