Hairy economy

Morning all,

The stunning funeral on Monday started off a strange week. Those events in London already seem like a month ago, partly to do with so much happening on the nursery over the week and partly because the earlier events were so other worldly and unique. I'm not much of a royalist but it was superbly done, I just hope the family do get some time to take it all in and recover a bit before things get too hectic again.

Meanwhile back at base someone has been making a few investments to improve things on site even further. Late summer is the time when the overdraft doesn't look as scary as it can do in the depths of winter, the purse strings get a little looser and I find a few ways in which we could make life better. It usually involves a lot of internet shopping for shiny new tools and a few risky purchases on something that seemed like a good idea at the time. Someone has to keep the economy going!

We have topped up the snips and garden scissor stocks ready for the big winter cut back with a bargain bulk shop, bought in a new cover for the big irrigation tank and took delivery of yet another very expensive container of coir pots ready for 2023 potting. A large roll of thick woollen capillary matting came in for experimenting with in the bottom of our boxes, together with a special slightly scary electric fabric cutter to slice it up with.

Our pest control expert told us of a great vermin control device which we instantly ordered, if it works we are hoping do away with using other less palatable methods. They are already in position so we will know very soon how effective they are. Being in arable country we have in the past struggled to keep vermin under control, although we have been more successful in recent years, they can still do a lot of damage especially overwinter when other food sources are in short supply. I'm sure it will be better than the pigeon scarer I bought years ago which endlessly played the calls of various predators, the pigeons were immune to it but it drove the rest of us nuts. Luckily it eventually shorted out never to be heard again. In the summer we witnessed the novelty of a very clean van when it returned from the mending man, which has prompted the purchase of a bright yellow pressure washer to see if we can repeat the experience occasionally,

Time flies and all that, but sometimes we do get untimely reminders that we need to make the most of what we have and how quickly things can change. The Queens passing was one of those moments, but things moved a bit closer to home this week with the news that our most experienced member of the team had had a fall at home and broken her thigh bone. She has been plated up by the good old NHS and is staying with them while she recovers her mobility again, which hopefully won't be too long. We are all missing her and hoping she makes a great recovery and that we will see her again soon.

Take care out there.

Wooden box returns

We are collecting up lots of our wooden boxes at the moment, so if you have some ready for collection, just drop me a line and I will add you to the list for a visit. It may take a week or three to get round to you as we will be trying to tie them in with deliveries at the same time, to keep those transport costs in check. Thanks.

Availability list highlights

We have our dwarf garden Chrysanthemums in bud, showing flashes of colour. Japanese Anemones are flushing nicely with the occasional flower stem. Erigeron Stallone is still in flower. For us it is often still showing colour at Christmas!

Autumns flowerers are on the march with more and more fresh Asters coming into bud and colour.

We have a range of Helleborus in stock to stretch those Autumn sales. No flower yet but full of winter promise. 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. Gaura looking fab with lots of buds. Verbena Lollipop in flower again on nice compact plants. Lovely coloured foliage on Ajuga's and Heuchera.

Best wishes,

from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries