Hairy hacking

Hi. 

So far, we have missed out on the thunderstorms and rain, with just a couple of short showers overnight to dampen down the dust. The forecast is for more over the coming days, so fingers crossed it doesn’t skirt around us as it did last night. Sales are still frustratingly slow after all the heat and hosepipe bans stifled summer activity. Thankfully those customers that have taken a bit of a punt and restocked with some fresh verdant Hairy Pot stock seem to be reaping the rewards, as we are seeing a lot of reordering after the initial inputs, which is encouraging. 

Production on the nursery is bowling along as we rush to get the stock potted as quickly as we can, trying to make the most of the last of the longer days and high light levels. With some crops it makes a huge difference to the eventual plant size and overwintering success, so it does add a bit more unneeded stress as the evenings draw in and morning condensation levels rise. We usually end up finishing the potting of the main crops at the end of September, but I’m hoping this year we will be a couple of weeks ahead. Great for plant growth and more time for us to catch up on the desperately needed tunnel covering.

I have been extending the nursery Wi-Fi range today as we try to get our tech use a bit more mobile around the site. Being able to update the main computer while on the move will be very useful and save a lot of double handling of information. We also need better comms networks so that the EV chargers and the solar panels can access the internet to work more efficiently and be controlled remotely. I do get a bit nervous about all this access to the internet, with all the AI developments and hacking going on. It does look a little scary out there sometimes when you hear what AI is getting up to, apparently with little overall control. I suppose we have to trust that the experts know what they are doing. What could possibly go wrong?  

Our brilliant year took another wrong turn this week when one of the wind turbines blew an oil seal. In the 15 years we have had them this was a first, but a fairly messy first. Caroline spotted it on her morning rounds, the turbine was still working and sounding fine, but the top of the mast was glistening with lots of dark coloured splashes of oil. Luckily, they don’t hold much volume as it is only lubricating the small gear box, so there isn’t any sign of it on the ground, it is all on the upper mast and ladder. It will be a messy clean up but apparently it does happen and the engineers know what they are doing. New seals and a service on all three turbines in a couple of weeks’ time, meanwhile we are one turbine down. 

The young folk here have put together a short feedback form which I am going to attach to the next couple of weeks emails, feel free to let them know your thoughts, they are very keen to hear from you all.  

Social media updates To find our Instagram content try our username @thehairypotplantcompany  or use the link below; https://www.instagram.com/thehairypotplantcompany?igsh=MXhhMGxhcjgzNGYydA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr 

Availability list. 

It’s time for the autumn flowering Cyclamen hederifolium to fly the flag. They are raring to go with verdant growth and already flashing plenty of colour, with lots more bud to come. We have a rose form and a white, both look good although the rose is currently slightly chunkier. We sold out of these very early last year, so I’ve potted a few extra this time. Don’t hold back! Our very long flowering Cyclamen coum are also now ready to go, although it is a bit early for them to go into full flower mode, they are more bountiful in winter and spring, but there will be the odd one show its face earlier with a fair wind. We managed to secure earlier batches of seedlings this year, so we have grown these fairly diminutive beauties to a bigger size than previously, which should help promote more sales.  We have a lovely compact batch of Verbena Lollipop now in bud. Flowering all summer long, the Gaura Rosy Jane (bicolour) and Whirling Butterflies (White) are looking great. Brightly coloured Helenium Hayday is available in multiple colours. It is very compact in its first year but really comes into its own in year two with absolutely masses of long-lasting flowers on taller sturdy stems. A class act in the garden border. Another later summer range are the mini garden Chrysanthemums which are already showing early tight bud. Fresh batches of Echinacea are throwing up healthy growth and flower buds, just in time for a late splash. Platycodon are looking great, with colour and plenty of bud. We have some very compact batches of Achillea Milly Rock Terracotta and Red.  The last couple of batches of Veronica Anniversary Blue and Anniversary Rose were given a Chelsea Chop and have come back with a flourish showing loads of fresh bud. There are some fantastic short bushy Coreopsis in bud again, ready to make a lovely late summer splash. Small and compact the Lewisia Elise have plenty of bud already and will flower all summer long. There are several Asters in bud doing there late summer show.  We still have plenty of summer flowering stock looking very well. A range of different types of Salvia’s, many in bud, Osteospermum Tresco Purple, colourful Bidens and Penstemon Garnet. We have plenty of Scabiosa in bud in a range of colours, another long flowering summer star. 

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