Hot, isn't it!

Hi

Phew, what a scorcher. Sorry for the delay in sending this week's list out but it was just too hot in the tunnels to get through them all yesterday afternoon, and the morning was taken up with getting the potting finished with a very depleted crew. A combination of holidays, appointments and days out on Friday just meant it was all available hands to the grindstone to get the last of the summer modules potted and make the most of the sunshine and 'warmth' to grab that extra few days growth before winter sets in! We still have plenty of potting to get done over the next few weeks with more arrivals due in, but we have never caught up like this at this time of year before, so cause for another celebration and new packet of Rich Tea for coffee next week. Just that little improvement in efficiency throughout the season has such a cumulative effect and this year we seem to be benefitting nicely and best of all the plants are too. I'm sure there will be something round the corner to bugger it up again, but just for the moment we are feeling suitably smug and will relish that feeling for a day or two.

Keeping everyone cool enough to function on the nursery has been a challenge this week, but at least we know it won't last too long. It has been just about bearable in the production tunnels during most of the morning and after that we adjourn to the despatch area where there is plenty of shade and lots of overhead fans, to clean and stack the returned boxes ready for winter storage. The potting tunnel has the same facilities so that has been going non-stop too, with just the 'putting down' team having to go into the tunnels and they have the watering hoses to help with cooling. Touch wood, the irrigation system has yet to throw a wobbly in the heat, so the plants are romping away despite the shortening day-length.

Good job the orders have slowed up a bit as the van situation is not improving. This week all three are due back again into various garages. all for different ailments, one of which could now be terminal and another which may mean it is off the road for a while until the necessary warrantee work is completed, at least that should be FOC. We should be able to juggle deliveries ok over the week, but extra box collecting may have to go on hold for a week or so. Hey ho, at least it has happened in a relatively quiet period and not in peak season.

Having retreated to the relative cool of the office last night, I started work on one of our big 2024 young plant orders, covering next spring and summers potting, the later producing crops for 2025. Where does all that time go. Watched a bit of Now 80's TV this morning in bed, they played George Michael performing 'Faith' which I think of as relatively recent. It was 1987, 36 years ago, I thought I was quite grown up then, the nursery was well underway and we had moved into our current house, it was just like yesterday, We are still planning on changing the downstairs carpet, but I guess after 36 years another year or two won't hurt!

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 few weeks before the C. coum varieties take over, although actually we have the pink and white forms already on the list as well and showing the occasional bud. These will usually flower from October through until well into Spring, with a tasteful sprinkling of flowers rather than being drowned in them.

There are buds on a few of the Anemones and the Asters are beginning to show some colour now as buds swell and open. Jenny, Starlight, Rosenwitchel are the most showy at the moment. 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 run out for this week but should be back again in bud next week. 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! A new variety of H. orientalis for us is Halcyon Early Dark Red and it has surprised us by showing a few buds already. 

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.