Hairy future

 Morning all,

Having trouble finding very much to be excited about, everything seems to be going wrong, Russia messing about with everything, China now joining in the fun, climate change still looming large, government in turmoil and unfocussed as they slag each other off to become leader, inflation going nuts, and now interest rates stepping up, with warnings of more to come, I am wondering what's next?

We are raring to go now with all three small vans back on the road, after the one new Fiat was held up at the menders for over 8 weeks waiting for parts. Mind you the next day did have the inevitable follow up setback, with two punctures on the other Fiat, one quick, one slow and on opposite sides of the van. All sorted now so no worries.

Struggling a bit at the moment coping with life's realities. All the old looking people on the TV turn out to be younger than me, which can't be right, and I struggle to believe the price of a cup of coffee these days. I suddenly don't recognise any of the names of the hip bands, when we both used to be fairly up together with at least some of the genres Why isn't it proper music anymore and how can Mick Jagger be nearly 80. How come the new millennium started so long ago and why did I waste so much time training to cope with the millennium bug!. Where has all the time gone and what is an exit strategy! Many of our friends have taking early retirement and are swanning about keeping themselves busy, mostly buying caravans it seems. There is still so much to do here, how are we going to fit it all in? I suspect a day off might help, it all gets a bit much by this time of the year.

A replacement pair of elasticated waistband trousers heralds an evening out tomorrow. Haven't been for a jive evening since March when we got so busy and the loss of my only good pair to the nursery has hampered my return. Not sure I can remember how to do it, but I'm told it's as easy as falling off a log, and with my dancing skills looks a lot like it too!

Great England performance last Sunday and some lovely Commonwealth Games coverage, both generating fun and positive vibes. Certainly the men's football game could learn plenty from the ladies, as they could from many other sports (rugby, hockey etc). The lack of respect in the men's game for the officials, the behaviour and attitudes on the pitch and in the stands are so out of line with proper sport and life in the outside world. Given a chance we can be positive and upbeat, yet there is so much pressure to push us in the opposite direction. Now may be the time when we need to harness some of that positivity and fun in order to see us through some tough economic months. Most of us are still very privileged to have what we have and going without a few luxuries is something we can bear with a smile given the right approach.

Availability list highlights

Plenty of lovely looking stock, don't hold back, get some bud and colour on those benches.

Summer favourite the hardy Osteospermum Tresco Purple looks strong and bushy and swelling buds are visible. Autumns flowerers are on the march with more and more fresh Asters coming into bud. Japanese Anemones are flushing nicely with the occasional flower stem already.

Potted an early batch of Cyclamen hederifolium which have surprised me by starting to flower already. An autumn flowering type they are looking good. Tiarella with it's pretty and short 'foam flowers' are looking great. Just a few of the purple/pink Erodium Bishops Form left. Neat, tidy and in flower. Goes on for ages.

The late performing Cerostigma plumbaginoides have their first buds appearing and the odd deep blue flower opening. Gaura looking fab with lots of buds, as have the Rhodanthemum, both good selling summer favourites. Blue flowered and compact Platycodon are ready to roll. Not got many yet but more to follow. Crocosmia are going well. Showing colour now and looking great.

Verbena Lollipop in flower again on nice compact plants. A surprise flush of buds on the Geum Lemon Drops, don't miss out they won't hang about long. Loads of bud and pretty little flowers showing on both Calamintha compact varieties. Fresh batch of the cerise/red Penstemon Garnet are in bud again, colour flashes.

Time flies and already we have our first dwarf Chrysanthemums in bud. Lots more to come. Ever popular summer flowering perennial Salvias Lips series are doing their thing. Plenty of bud to come on the little alpine Lewisia, already showing colour in attractive mixed pastel shades Summer favourite the hardy Osteospermum Tresco Purple looks strong and bushy and swelling buds are visible.

Have fun, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries