Hi
At least it seems to have stopped raining for the moment and kept reasonably mild, a bit late to make sales go into overdrive but easier to get those outside jobs done. As a result the office got a new coat of wood preserver today and is looking very smart in front of the recently 'lifted' beech trees. A few leaves are getting cleared away, hedges trimmed and Halloween snacks devoured, it must be autumn now.
The last of the bulbs got potted this week so that is all the potting completed for 2024, another milestone passed. It was the second busiest year ever on the potting front, only surpassed by 2021 when we got a bit carried away with ourselves. It was post covid madness and we were very short of stock early in the year, so potted like crazy and didn't stop early enough. We ended up donating a load of stock to the local hospitals, surgeries and vaccination centres to shed the excess, which put a positive twist to a bit of a balls-up on my part. I'm hoping we haven't overdone it this time, I'm banking on the spring weather being a bit kinder than the last couple of years so we will need the extra stock, fingers crossed for it all to come together.
Fun times with the Budget this week, I suppose none of it was a huge surprise as most of it was leaked well in advance, but it does set out in black and white a few hefty extra labour costs that we are going to have to deal with in the coming season. Just as I was hoping the inflationary pressures were easing our biggest single cost gets elevated beyond our control. I suppose it just reinforces the need for even more efficiency and investment in labour saving kit, to avoid employing quite so many people. Unfortunately it also encourages taking short cuts and avoiding risk, which tends to make the final product potentially a bit disappointing, as most people look to take the easier options. Don't worry, if there is a more difficult option I'm always on call to take it, you can rely on that!
Talking of which, the plastic acid tank removal and replacement quote came in this afternoon. The original tank cost less than £3,000, 8 years ago, the quote came in today at £16,000! The removal cost was more than the replacement tank, which itself has more than doubled in price. With an 8 year lifespan that means the annual tank costs are higher than the acid cost. I think I'm in the wrong game. I am in further negotiations.
I have a feeling I also handed an open cheque book to the electrician on Monday, just to add to the pressure. He now has a list of repair and replacement work to hit over the next couple for months as we prepare for winter and try to get everything shipshape for the spring rush. Once we get to February it's really too late to start any new projects and the overdraft starts to dictate a more sedate approach to spending, so it's now or never.
On a brighter note, weekly jive dancing returned to the fabulous Guildhall in Winchester on Tuesday. Lots of over excited dancers turned up bright and early with over 150 making it in by the time the lessons got underway. Over 3 hours of laughter, heart-pounding gyrating and twirling for just £10 and learning new skills along the way, what a bargain. There was a healthy smattering of beginners as well as those still returning after the covid break, let's hope the momentum keeps going over the next few months, that will be the test to the viability of returning to such a high end venue.
This list will have to cover the next couple of weeks as I am otherwise engaged, but if you have any queries just drop us a line and Greg will sort something out. Orders are quieter now and most of the boxes have been returned so, although we are still out and about, the long seasons pressure has at last relented and we should be able to cope with most requests, within reason!
End of season wooden Box returns
We have already collected over 85% of our empty wooden boxes from most sites and will continue to do so over the next couple of weeks. If you have empty boxes ready to go please do drop us a line and we will pop in when next in the area.
Availability list.
The herb range is still looking surprisingly perky in the autumn sunshine. We should have a reasonable range looking nice for a few weeks yet.
Unfortunately after a poor seed harvest we only have one Cyclamen coum variety this winter (Silver Leaved) but they are just beginning to produce the very occasional flower and loads of buds. They will go on right through until April so no rush!
The other winter star is the Helleborus range, a few varieties already showing the occasional signs of flowering but it's a bit early for most. Good strong plants with plenty of potential.
Erigeron Stallone are still doing their thing, flower and bud will keep coming until they are battered too much by winter frosts.
We have had them in flower at Christmas before now, although it does depend on the weather and anything could happen there!
Best wishes from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.
