Hot and Hairy

Morning all,

Back to the punishing hot weather again, who would work on a nursery in this sort of weather? Looks like it might be set in for quite a few days so no point fretting about it really, it is what it is. The rest of the farming side of the family will be pleased, as harvest is about to kick off and moisture levels in the grain look pretty perfect at the moment. The last thing they will be wanting to do this year is burning up any fuel drying the crops before storage,

We had another hectic week getting the orders out, tunnel clearing and potting next spring's crops. All the usual challenges with holidays and illness knocking out nearly a quarter of the team over the week and the newest Fiat van still at the garage awaiting parts from Italy. It is all under warranty which is ok on the cost side, but we have been without it now since the beginning of June and the main part not due for arrival until late next week. In theory we could have hired a van, with all the usual headaches of how to get the trolleys on board securely and the very low payloads, but our decision to keep the old van instead of trading it in worked out well.

As production turns its focus to next season and we start refilling the tunnels again, doubts pop up about how much do we pot? How much is the cost of living crisis going to affect sales in the coming year. All those gains made by the gardening industry during covid could be lost by a lack of consumer cash. We are continuing to be fairly bold in our own outlook while hopefully not getting too carried away. I have been sowing loads of herb seed this week for some of the overwintered crops. It's something I often leave a bit tight, only just leaving enough time to achieve the ideal crop growth before the days get to short for productive growing. Even just a week can make such a difference, one gained in July is worth about 3 in October, so I'm making an extra effort to get them in early this year. Part of the problem is that the summer is much longer in my head than it is in reality, I always think I have plenty of time and consequently get caught out.

My mental activity is definitely suffering at the moment, a combination of great age and being a bit overtired has led to some very frustrating behaviour while tending my seed sowing. I had to bend over to insert some labels in a row of trays and my glasses kept slipping off. Sensibly I removed them and put them down, not on the bed or trolley path where I may tread on them, but on the paths raised lip, out of harm's way. Within 30 seconds I had stood on the path edge straight onto the glasses, I chose a few choice phrases and soldiered on. Live and learn. Apparently not, within another minute I pulled the trolley along catching and running over the doomed specs, I couldn't believe it, who could possibly work with this idiot? 

Availability list highlights

Plenty of lovely looking stock, don't hold back, get some bud and colour on those benches. Erigeron karvenskianus Stallone are back on the list, plenty of bud again and raring to go. Gaura looking fab with lots of buds, as have the Rhodanthemum, both good selling summer favourites.

First summer buds of Crocosmia are just poking through the leaves. A couple of weeks away from colour yet but looking good. Time flies and already we have our first dwarf Chrysanthemums in bud. Lots more to come.

Last batch of Nemesia Wisey Vanilla is ready to go, with bud, colour and best of all that strong vanilla scent. Ever popular summer flowering perennial Salvias are doing their thing, The Lips series are growing in popularity and are lovely and bushy. Then all the ever popular nemerosa types are great too. Bud and colour on show for most.

Fresh crops of Dianthus in a good range of colours, bushy, lots of bud and well scented once the flowers open. 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.

Plenty of bud to come on the little alpine Lewisia, already showing colour in attractive mixed pastel shades. Nice short plants of Achillea Moonshine and Terracotta in bud and looking strong. The compact Milly Rock range has recovered from a nursery hair cut with a fresh flush of leaves and buds.

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, Penstemons are coming online now with buds now showing on the Garnet. Fresh batches again of Digitalis and Delphinium but catch them quick before they get too big.

Have fun, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries