Hairy propagation

Hi,

Bit of a keen breeze but the sun is shining and it feels much more like spring. Rumours of excited gardeners opening their wallets abound, but only between the rain storms. We had a shockingly wet day on Monday, which was not a great start to the working week, however things have definitely perked up now and potting is going full steam ahead.

Sales are pretty encouraging despite the weather, but there is an air of pent up demand building, so we are bracing ourselves for a surge when the weather does eventually settle down. One key to coping is going to be having a full contingent of vans available and that looks a bit hopeful as the Fiat is back in the warrantee garage for a fifth time. Fingers crossed they fix it this time. Too much computer diagnosis and not enough spanners and greasy hands in my view, but I may be a bit old school.

Following on from last week's peat-free propagating challenges we got some quotes in this week on the new propagating kit needed, which was a bit scary, but on the plus side it looks like there might be a bit of grant funding available to help out via the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. I have started official enquiries and am now awaiting a call back from the Rural Payments Agency to check that we are eligible and registered. We have been down equipment grant routes before but never with any success, there has always been some minor silly issue which tripped us up, but this time it looks a bit simpler and we may actually get some help. The next issue is how we find suppliers of un-rooted cutting material of the right varieties, as it is becoming apparent that most suppliers now only deal in mega quantities and we are not really in that sort of league. I suspect we will be able to get some lines on a sensible scale and have to adjust our range accordingly so we still have a great selection. It's all a bit unsettling as we try and find sensible solutions that aren't going to send costs skyrocketing. Life is never dull on the nursery, there is always something to sort out.

Big weekend coming up with someone's big retirement and birthday, sadly I have to sign up again on Monday so no pipe and slippers for me. Dinner at the pub with friends on Saturday and maybe a family tea on Sunday, perfect weekend. Saving the party up until the autumn when we have a bit more time to manage it, assuming I still have the energy.

We completed the most expensive bit of recycling we have ever done last weekend with the return of our reupholstered sofa and chairs. We inherited them from Caroline's uncle a few years ago, as excess kit when they downsized. Originally 1930's made, they had been recovered at least once and ended up all different colours and styles, but underneath was high quality 1930's build and style. Now they have been resurrected in rusty brick red velour with contrasting grey piping, real 1930's style to match our 30's built house. The new webbing and stuffing has transformed the comfort level, it is a real work of art. Now we just have to change the 50 year old carpet and we could have a room fit for visitors!

Ordering replacement labels

There is now a new spreadsheet/form available for anyone to use to order any replacement pot labels you may need. Being made of biodegradable card coated with vegetable starch they don't last forever, unlike plastic, so you may need to replace a few if stock has been around for a while. We are happy to replace any missing labels free of charge if you just let us know what you need. Just fill in the sheet and email it to derek@kirtonfarm.co.uk and we will put them together.

Availability list.

Both Anemone blanda White and the Blue Shades have shot up all of a sudden, with buds well on show too. A great seller. Brunnera macrophyla (perennial forget-me-not) are showing their first few blue buds, plenty to come. Primula denticulata have fat buds now, in all three colours. Limited numbers but looking good.. Pulsatilla in all three colours now shooting through and producing fat bud straight away.

The bronzed green ferny leaves of Polemonium Heaven Scent look well and flower buds are now appearing. Ever popular Fritillaria meleagris (Snakes head Lilly) has pushed through and are already coming into bud. Plenty in stock, get them while you can. Bold white flowers of Ipheon Alberto Castillo will be out shortly as the first buds appear this week.

Cyclamen coum White are still showing great flower and bud. These will usually keep going until well into Spring. Many of the spring bulbs are in action now with many of the small Narcissus we grow in bud and colour. Muscarii Blue Magic and Muscari latifolium now in bud and showing colour, it's all go. 

Allium christophii is shooting through and the excellent newcomer Allium Ostara is now up too. Purple Sensation is showing but only just. Erysimum Fragrant Sunshine are already looking perky with bud showing on most. Pulmonaria are putting on a real spurt of fresh growth and buds are well on show. The first couple of varieties have sold out already, but Opal and Majeste are still looking great.

Best wishes from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.