Hairy Entertaining

Morning all,

Sorry, another slightly late list. We had a surprisingly busy week on the sales front and it put us behind on everything else especially with some holidays and several off sick. We had the added excitement this week of a few tours to cope with. One on Tuesday with a group from the local farmers club, a student group visit from Sparsholt College followed by 6 trailer loads from the county farmers group in 3 batches on Friday. It was a chaotic day while trying to juggle potting and tunnel clearing at the same time. Didn't finish the last presentation until gone 20.00 and then we had to socialise at the post tour barbeque back at the farm. With nearly 200 people it turned into a late night.

Now I'm taking a quick break from the potting team to get this away before it gets too late, but I need to get back in there so Caroline can get on with her micro-prop orders that are going out first thing on Monday. There was a time many years ago when our season would be over by now and we could think about a day or two of but no more. The cash-flow benefits as does our fitness which is great, but it would be nice to have a sit down and enjoy the sunshine,

Thankfully it looks like the season overall will be ok, despite the scary cost rises, it's been steady on the sales front which after the previous couple of years is quite a relief and I don't think I've over egged the potting during the spring so no plant give-aways this year! We had our quarterly NBIS meeting last week and it looks like tings are settling back to more pre- covid patterns for most nurseries but those cost and wage increases are going to have an impact on next year's prices, so be warned there is virtually no room any more to absorb these increases, they are just too big. We are going to stick to this year's prices as usual, until January, and we will do our best to keep the increase then, to as little as possible. We only increased this year by about 7% which was pretty modest in the circumstances and when compared to other nurseries price increases. I am ever hopeful that some costs will fall back again in time, but there doesn't look like much hope of that in the short term.

Must go, Caroline is calling for assistance on the radio and I've spent too long doing what I said was a ten minute job!

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.

Fresh crops of Dianthus in a good range of colours, bushy, lots of bud and well scented once the flowers open. Most of the Echinacea are running up their first flower stems with bud showing. Only a little way off showing colour but definite signs of action. Run out of some varieties now but purples of tall Magnus and Purple Splendour are still there.

Large white daisy flowers of our Leucathemum range are ready to shine. All are compact varieties. Summer flowering hardy Fuchsia looking good with buds on show for most. The tiny white flowered Hawkshead is always popular as are the garden favourite Mrs Popple.

Fresh batches of the Dreameria series of Armeria are bulking up on flower numbers. Selected for their very long flowering period and large flower size they promise to be a great new garden addition. Summer must be on its way with the appearance of the Oxalis. Both forms are now in flower with lots of follow on bud. Summer favourite the hardy Osteospermum Tresco Purple looks strong and bushy and swelling buds are visible, Gaura are producing buds now as are the Rhodanthemum both good selling summer favourites.

Penstemons are coming online now with buds now showing on the Garnet. Short buds are appearing on many of the Lupin varieties. They will romp away and produce another flush later when cut back. Fresh batches again of Digitalis and Delphinium but catch them quick before they get too big.

Have fun, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries

Hairy heat

Morning all,

Apologies for the slightly late arrive of this week's update, but yesterdays heat and events resulted in a failure on my part to update the lists. It was a hectic week as usual, a slightly quieter week on the sales front but still busy, lots of tunnel clearing and potting and introducing three staff onto the team. We had our biggest module delivery of the summer, mostly stock for 2023 but it still needs dealing with and getting into a pot asap if we can squeeze them in somewhere. A sleepless night after their delivery as I had a bit of a panic that I might have over done on the volumes but on reflection I'm sure it will be fine, I can always adjust numbers for next time!

Hoping that the introduction of some new helpers will take off some of the pressure this summer, one full timer, one part and one returning summer casual. All seemed to settle in ok although it was a bit of a scorcher of a week to start them on, fingers crossed they return next week as we are going to need them for all the holiday cover coming up.

Next week may be a bit of a challenge on the delivery front, Phil our big van driver is away for a week as is his van for servicing and check-ups. On top of this our 1 year old Fiat is still in the garage having it's gearbox repaired. It's been away for at least two weeks already and although they have some of the necessary parts in stock, delivery of one part won't be until June 29th and the last part they can't even get a delivery date on. All reliant on Fiat supplies from Europe. It was suggested by the garage (a commercial Fiat franchise/dealer) that we contact Fiat directly ourselves to try and get it rushed over quicker, but the help line won't answer and the email sent hasn't been replied to yet. On top of this, how come it is our job to chase up spares? We are trying to produce, sell plants and save the planet, so don't have time to chase van parts!

So we are down to 2 vans this week but we can use Bleach of Lavant as back up for some trips and we may have to bite the bullet and hire something. I'm never keen hiring a van as they never fit the trolleys and payloads are usually very poor, but if needs must.

Other than the blistering heat yesterday and running short of potting compost I managed to put my back into spasm while shovelling up the last of the compost. Too much trying to help out! It's the first time it's been this bad since before covid and a bit of a shock. I added insult to injury while trying to rescue my back situation. I retired to the house for a big dose of painkillers and anti inflammatories followed by a spasm-breaking lie down on top of a carefully positioned tennis ball. In my effort to relax my back muscles into the ball I thought a little relaxing music might help so fished out the phone to find something suitable. My grip was compromised in the situation and I managed to drop it, which would normally be ok, but being on my back looking up at it at that moment it resulted in a direct facial hit with the corner of a surprisingly heavy device! Still sore but luckily no black eye to have to try and explain away.

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. 

The hardy Gerbera Garvinea series are back this year and in bud or flower already. They are very vigorous so could out grow the pots quite quickly so just a short sales window for us on this one. Fresh crops of Dianthus in a good range of colours, bushy, lots of bud and well scented once the flowers open.

Most of the Echinacea are running up their first flower stems with bud showing. Only a little way off showing colour but definite signs of action. Run out of some varieties now but the ever popular purples of Magnus and Purple Splendour are still there. Large white daisy flowers of our Leucathemum range are ready to shine. All are compact varieties.

Summer flowering hardy Fuchsia looking good with buds on show for most. The tiny white flowered Hawkshead is always popular as are the garden favourite Mrs Popple. Fresh batches of the Dreameria series of Armeria are bulking up on flower numbers. Selected for their very long flowering period and large flower size they promise to be a great new garden addition.

Summer must be on its way with the appearance of the Oxalis. Both forms are now in flower with lots of follow on bud. Summer favourite the hardy Osteospermum Tresco Purple looks strong and bushy and swelling buds are visible, Gaura are producing buds now as are the Rhodanthemum both good selling summer favourites.

Penstemons are coming online now with buds now showing on the Garnet. Short buds are appearing on many of the Lupin varieties. They will romp away and produce another flush later when cut back. Fresh batches again of Digitalis and Delphinium but catch them quick before they get too big.

Have fun, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries

Hairy juggling

Morning all,

A full working week was a welcome occasion, well for me anyway. I would like to say we have done a lot of catching up, but now the holiday season is kicking in and not everyone made it in. Hey ho.

Sales continue to bowl along, which is just as well as we still have a good dollop of plants growing away out there. The season is certainly sliding by as stocks of young plants and propagation material are already being delivered to the nursery for next year's sales. I can easily get a bit overcome by the continuous needs to juggle the ongoing current sales, trying to clear up after those sales and preparing crops for the next season, it is quite a challenge and there are never quite enough people to get it all done at the perfect moment. After doing this thing for 38 years I always try to remind myself that we will get there in the end, even if we can't actually stop on the production front until October. At that point I can relax, well I say relax, perhaps it's just a change (as good as a rest) as we move into a period of very little income! Can't have everything. Three new folk starting next week, one full time and the other casual or part time. All very exciting and hopefully productive. Still probably need more but let's see how it goes. With the costs going the way they are we are still trying to add to labour efficiencies to try and compensate a bit, but it always seems that to do something better and in a timely manner we need more labour not less. The idea is that the changes to practices and techniques now, will save us time further down the road, it's always jam tomorrow!

Hope you all enjoyed your jubilee festivities last weekend, even if like us you spent most of it at work! Although we didn't do a lot, a family BBQ and a fab alfresco lunch with friends, it was all jolly and very positive, a pleasant change to all the rubbish that has happened over the last couple of years. Loved the Queen and Paddington skit and great to see so many people out on the streets having a good time. Played 'God Save The Queen' quite a bit (Pistols version) just to keep my feet on the ground and moaned a bit about the establishment 'concert' line up, but overall a fun time.

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.

The hardy Gerbera Garvinea series are back this year and in bud or flower already. I don't have a large number in stock as they are so expensive we have to sell almost every one to break even, so we can't afford any wastage. They are very vigorous so could out grow the pots quite quickly so just a short sales window for us on this one.

Large white daisy flowers of our Leucathemum range are ready to shine. All are compact varieties with their own flower variation. Papery blue flowers of Catananche aren't far away with flower shoots in evidence. Summer flowering hardy Fuchsia looking good with buds on show for most. The tiny white flowered Hawkshead is always popular as are the garden favourite Mrs Popple.

Fresh batches of the Dreameria series of Armeria are bulking up on flower numbers nicely. 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. Only a few left.

Most of the Echinacea are running up their first flower stems with bud showing. Only a little way off showing colour but definite signs of action. Run out of some varieties now but the ever popular purples of Magnus and Purple Splendour are still there. Fresh crops of Dianthus in a good range of colours, bushy, lots of bud and well scented once the flowers open.

Summer must be on its way with the appearance of the Oxalis. Both forms are now in flower with lots of follow on bud. Summer favourite the hardy Osteospermum Tresco Purple looks strong and bushy and swelling buds are visible, Gaura are producing buds now as are the Rhodanthemum both good selling summer favourites. Penstemons are coming online too although flower may be a little way off yet.

We have nice fresh batches of the near black flowered Viola Molly Sanderson, plus the Irish Molly flowers are looking good. The next batch of Scabious are now back in bud. More to follow. Helenium Salud Embers are strong, short and budding well. Proved the most popular strain last year with its mottled yellow and orange/red petals and compact habit. The yellow form are not too far behind with the odd bud on show.

Short buds are appearing on many of the Lupin varieties. They will romp away and produce another flush later when cut back. Fresh batches again of Digitalis and Delphinium but catch them quick before they get too big.

Have fun, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries

Hairy Jubilation

Morning all, 

'Normal' service resumed today with a little bit of time today to gather my thoughts, random though they may be. A bizarre week with overall sales being healthy but all crammed into the early part of the week to try and accommodate the Thursday/Friday Jubilee break as much as we could. It was a manic three days when I made myself mildly unpopular by pulling all the micro-prop lab staff out on Monday to help out in despatch. It worked out ok, we did make a few deliveries on Thursday but managed to tie everything up before today (Friday), so our staff could take part in the celebrations or at least have a break. We had a reasonable turn out for work on Thursday so managed to get a bit of tunnel clearing and potting done and the Saturday crew are in again tomorrow for another go. Looking forward to next week when we get back to 5 days and back under some sort of normality.

We are having a catch up today, sorting out some irrigation stuff, weed spraying, accounts and a couple of customer collections so we don't get bored. Managed to fit in my 10,000 steps by 9.30 (carrying a knapsack) so pleased to get my gym work out of the way so early. One or the highlights on my walk round was disturbing a partridge and her chicks in one of the tunnels. Tiny bundles of fluff bobbing about, they must have only just hatched in the last day or two. There are young birds all over the place at the moment, wagtails, blackbirds, robins, blue tits, spotted woodpeckers, the bird feeders are being topped up twice a day to try and keep up.

No sign of the deer recently thankfully, but we are keeping our pest controller busy with a stubborn small population of rabbits intent on eating all the choicest plants! Luckily over the last year or so a lot of them have been dealt with otherwise we wouldn't have any plants left to sell. The local Red Kites now have us on their radar as they keep an eye open for any carcasses left out for them. What a sight they are as they glide over the nursery. It's difficult to believe that just a few years ago we never used to see them here.

We are managing a bit of socialising over the weekend with a couple of meals out with sympathetic family and friends. The end to my socialising due to severe trouser shortage has been put off after the discovery of an old but unworn pair in the bottom of the wardrobe. They are a bit 'Rupert Bear' in styling for my liking but they cover a multitude of sins and I can get in them which is the priority at the moment. Fashion and cool are fading in favour of practicality and comfort, yes I'm that old!

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.

Fresh batches of the Dreameria series of Armeria are bulking up on flower numbers nicely. 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. Only a few left. Papery blue flowers of Catananche aren't far away with flower shoots in evidence.

Most of the Echinacea are running up their first flower stems with bud showing. Only a little way off showing colour but definite signs of action. Run out of some varieties now but the ever popular purples of Magnus and Purple Splendour are still there. Fresh crops of Dianthus in a good range of colours, bushy, in bud and well scented when the flowers open.

Not a huge number left but the Liatris spicata are showing bud now if you are quick. Last few now.

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 and swelling buds are visible. Penstemons are coming online too although flower may be a little way off yet.

We have nice fresh batches of the near black flowered Viola Molly Sanderson and the metallic sheen of Irish Molly flowers are looking good. The very summery sunshine yellow Viola Etain is in flower now too. The next batch of Scabious are now back in bud. More to come.

Helenium Salud Embers are strong, short and budding well. Proved the most popular strain last year with it's mottled yellow and orange/red petals and compact habit. Short buds are appearing on many of the Lupin varieties. They will romp away and produce another flush later when cut back.

Have fun, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries