Hairy learning

Hi

Considering this is supposed to be a quiet time there still aren't enough days in the week. I always picture our winter quiet period to be 3 or 4 months, full of catching up on all the chores we didn't get to during the main season and getting stuck into lots of exciting projects. Without the pressure of huge sales activity we are always going to have loads of time and end up starting the season so well organised and refreshed. In reality everything takes three times longer than expected and most of the skilled trades we need to complete things are in short supply and never available when you really need them.

We have already started on a list of van repairs with three out of action this week, 2 with battery issues, despite regular trips out, and one with the dreaded engine management light showing with the message 'check engine'. The 'engine issue' van is less than a year old and needs to go back to the dealer to be diagnosed and their initial response was that they could fit us in sometime in January! After a short discussion we are booked in on Dec 12th, but absolutely no idea what is wrong with it.

The prop tunnel climate control computer is limping along, awaiting its replacement. Ordered in mid October it isn't available until Dec 16th, so hoping the cold weather doesn't return before then. Good job we don't have critical crops in there!

More positive news on the solar panel front, with the tilting frame installers threatening an appearance on the 9th Dec. They should be able to get most of the installation done including the panel mounting and electrics. The stumbling block is likely to be connecting it all to the grid with all the associated permissions and kit needing to be given the nod by SSE. I am ever hopeful that they will be really quick and efficient at get us plugged in, but previous experience has taught me not to raise hopes too high!

We should be taking delivery of a module tray filler and seed sowing machines in the next week or two. We ordered them back in April and they are going to get here just 3 or 4 weeks before the deadline for the RPA grant we won runs out. All a bit tense! It's all go.

This past week was pretty hectic with a couple of big events. The RHS Peat-free Conference at Wisley was very well attended and a great source of the latest peat-free news. After the initial welcome and general backslapping encouragement at all the positive progress being made, there were reports on the latest trials done over several nurseries using compost from most of the larger manufacturers. There was a lot of technical detail and data in there, which went over my head, but the unsurprising end message (to me anyway) seemed to be that, it can work very well, but all nurseries, crops and composts are different. You need to find the compost that is best for you in your situation, so talk to a supplier and start trialling. Luckily for us we have been doing that for 13 years so feeling fairly confident, although we are always looking to tweak improvements here and there.

Several workshops followed where I definitely picked up a few useful ideas to bring home. The most reassuring session involved debunking some of the myths behind the use of coir in horticulture. The use of excess water for cleaning the fibres, child labour, high carbon footprint in processing and transport from India/Sri Lanka, deforestation to plant coconut trees etc. I am going to wait until the conference notes come out before I pass on the details, so I get it right, but even I was impressed and reassured that we are doing the right thing. I will try and put the highlights on the website too, as a future reference point. 

A key part of the week, and the year really, was renegotiating our overdraft facility with the bank. An annual review to look back at the year, forward to winter projects and the prospects for 2025. A great opportunity to exercise my creative storytelling and rose tinted presentation of figures. The bank have gone through another restructure so instead of a personal visit from a specialist manager, we had a conference call from a lovely chap in Edinburgh. Luckily I have done this for a long time and am quite good at pressing the right buttons, so a couple of days putting together a report on 'all of the above' with a few graphs, gives a good outline of how we have done and what the plans are. Our overdraft management has always been pretty good and since covid, we have managed to avoid pushing it to its extreme. This allows me to get away with not producing a cash-flow projection which is a relief as we rarely used to stuck to it anyway. All went well so we are free to go through another season with a nice fat OD facility.

Got a new part-time job starting in March next year. The pay rate is very attractive and work conditions definitely appealing. Thanks go to the Department of Works and Pensions, I can't wait. 

Availability list.

Unfortunately after a poor seed harvest we only have one Cyclamen coum variety this winter (Silver Leaved) but they are now producing loads of buds and the very occasional flower is opening. 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.

Best wishes from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.