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