Hairy Autumn

 Hi,

Autumn already and here comes the sun, just as all the kids go back to school (if they are not falling down). Hopefully it won't get too hot, but a little bit more sunshine will help us and the later potted stock hugely, especially as the days are already quite a bit shorter.

It looks like the farm have got virtually all the crops in off the fields now, despite the on and off damp weather. Just a few odds and ends of later poppy crops to still gather in, so relief all round, they can now concentrate and fret on getting the next crops sown and then finalising the preparations for a big family wedding due to take place in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to the big bash, marquee in the farm front paddock, live band, cask ale, lots of dancing, oh yes and the bride and groom doing their bit too. Hoping I can still get into the suit I wore at the previous wedding which must have been 5 years ago, I can't face having to go clothes shopping again. Last week's huge trouser success was fortified by Caroline ordering another 3 pairs online, so now I am set for years of comfort to come and looking a bit less generally dishevelled. A blessing for all.

Orders are still rolling along nicely but with the four day week, vehicle challenges, and various staffing challenges it has been unduly hectic and slightly chaotic at times. Potting didn't get started until late Thursday so for a change I'm a bit disappointed we didn't get more plants into pots by the end of the week, but at least we do keep the cash flow ticking over a bit longer which we will be very grateful for in a month or two. Must not grumble too loudly.

Our vehicle saga's continue with all three smaller vans booked into the garage again for various ailments over the next 2 weeks. A couple of extras added this week were a replacement cam-belt and then a new pair of wing-mirrors after a couple of 'wide van/narrow gap' incidents!

We had our annual 'whole nursery inspection' by our Plant Health Inspector today. Always a bit of an anxious time in case something unexpected pops up and always slightly embarrassing that the nursery is not as perfectly clean, tidy and as organised as I always imagine it will be one day! Anyway all went well, just a couple of sample plants taken for routine testing, and he seemed reasonably impressed by what he saw so no worries there for a little while. They actually come in pretty regularly at the moment checking up on imported young plants etc as they arrive, although that should change a bit once they get their import centres set up so the inspections get done earlier in the import process.

Availability list.

Plenty of fast growing stock at the moment with some lines only available for a few weeks before they get too big and have to wait for the main spring sales period after we have completed their overwinter manicure (cut back and mulched). We have a few bits and pieces in bud and flower and a few of the autumn/winter lines come along (check out the lists attached).

The autumn flowering Cyclamen (hederifolium) is now showing colour and should do so through the next couple of months before the C. coum varieties take over, although actually we have the pink form now on the list as well (not yet in bud). There are a few buds on a few of the Anemones and the Asters are getting close to colour too.

Masses of colour on the new batch of Erodium Bishops Form which should flower for quite a while yet. Foliage colour looking smart on Ajuga and Heuchera always popular autumn lines. The ever-giving Erigeron karv. Stallone has moved into another fresh batch with still more bud on show. We have had this in flower in December in the garden in previous years (assuming the weather is not too abusive).

A slightly odd collection to see in bud and flower are the Phlox paniculata and subulata ranges but there they are. The paniculata range is shorter than 'normal' as they are this summers potting so haven't yet reached full size but they are strong growing and giving a hint of next year's potential show. Lots of Helleborous now coming on line showing lots of potential for later in the winter and early Spring. There are already a few odd flowers on the H. niger Christmas Carol so Santa can't be far away!

Wooden box collections

If you have any of our wooden boxes ready to return and aren't expecting to order anytime soon, then please do drop us an email and let us know. A rough idea of numbers might be handy but not essential. We will get to you as soon as we have a vehicle with space in your area. Thanks

Take care out there,  from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.