Peat-free and hairy

Morning all,

Another chilly week passes but milder conditions forecast soon, fingers crossed. Looking forward to getting back up to some uninterrupted work as it warms up, the number of cold weather jobs has nearly run dry.

Greg has spent the last 3 weeks, on and off, clearing out and reorganising the tool shed which was a mammoth task after probably 10 years with only an occasional sweep up. We had accumulated some much detritus it was an embarrassment, but luckily out of sight to visitors. Now we can see the walls and floor again, it looks huge.

I have managed to finish screen printing the wooden box components, ready for construction over the next few weeks, and I've nearly completed the wooden POS boards, which will be a big pre-season job ticked off.

In an effort to get more winter jobs sorted I have managed to delegate a bit more this year, firstly with the rainwater harvesting groundwork and installation out-sourced for February, and this week the solar panel chaps popped in the see what they could fit us in later in the year. Looks like we might get close to 50 kW installed which would cover the area of one of our polytunnels. They have just got to check with the local electric company that the sub-station will cope and then they will plan it out and put in a planning application. Hoping it all goes smoothly as we could really do with more power coming on tap to compliment the wind turbines and cope with the expected extra consumption when we eventually start using vehicle chargers and possibly installing more air source heat pumps.

If you have the space, solar is looking like a great investment at the moment, prices of panels are low, and if you are able to use a good proportion of the power yourself, the payback period is very quick. I was quite surprised they weren't busier with the price of energy so high, but apparently there was a lull in demand when the government price caps were announced, so we are hoping not to have to wait too long. Get in quick.

Had an exciting day out on Monday when I attended the Peat-free Growers Forum at Calke Abbey near Derby hosted by the National Trust (fantastic shortbread biscuits!). It was, I think, the second meeting of the group which aims to promote peat-free growing from the consumer through to the commercial grower. It was full of some very enthusiastic people trying to drive forward the groups agenda, some big names from media and horticultural organisations, as well as a smattering of growers, most of whom were peat-free or on the way. There was a lot of talk of gathering and sharing information to allow peat based growers to move over to peat-free as seamlessly as possible, plus there was some light 'patting on the back' for those who had led the peat-free way. Now I know I'm a cynical old bugger but I did wonder if the peat-free growers had really thought this through. Legislation is coming soon to ban consumer sales of bagged peat products and later make it illegal to use peat in the commercial sector, so everyone will have to be peat-free in a few years, The current crop of peat- free growers currently have a nice USP which gives them a market advantage and in a few years that advantage will be taken away, so why should they be asked to help their competitors avoid all the pain and anguish they went through to get where they are, when those peat growers couldn't be arsed to do it of their own accord. The marketplace already supports growers wanting to change by having very professional (in most cases) potting media companies, who have knowledge and experience to help with the change over, and in the end it will always be individual nurseries who have to fine tune their media's to suit their own needs. Luckily for us the peat-free element is only a small part of our nursery offering, so I'm not going to lose too much sleep over it.

One very interesting piece of information that came out in conversation afterwards was that DEFRA plan to ban anything for sale with any peat content, once the full grower restrictions are applied. This means banning imports that aren't peat-free! That is a big one, as Europe is well behind us on the peat-free road, and I'm surprised more hasn't been said about this.

2023 Retail price reviews

In view of our price increases for 2023, don't forget to review your own retail prices and let us know ASAP if you want us to pre-price at new rates. I will have to update our records and make sure I have the printing plates ready to roll. Thanks. 

Availability list highlights

Winter and spring flowering Cyclamen coum are now available in small numbers with more coming on stream for later. Most are in bud with some colour showing.

Spring must be on the way, the Pulmonaria are up with most varieties showing bud with the odd flash of colour.

The Aubretia Regado Red are in bud now with the odd flower opening. Do remember we are growing cold here so the cold snap next week may reduce the colour showing. The blue variety is close behind but will be fractionally later budding up. Spring bulbs are beginning to pop up and buds are already on show on both the little hooped petticoat Narcissus. Helleborus niger Advent Star have loads of flower and bud now. 

Best wishes from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.