Here we go again,
Bit of a disappointing Easter, fabulous Friday but a bit rough over the rest of the weekend. All those destination centres really needed some nice weather for full on Easter fun so my sympathies are with you all. Still it’s been an improving picture this week and the coming weekend isn’t looking to shabby down here so plenty of opportunities to make up on the lost time and plant sales.
We had a pretty wild and windy night on Sunday and into Monday morning as storm Katie shot through. Not too much damage this end although it was strong enough to cause the turbines to stop a couple of times as the gusts went over the safety thresholds. Luckily there were no wing tip deployments so no trip up the towers for Caroline to reset those this time, after a few minutes once the wind dropped a bit they restarted themselves.
The second load of potting compost arrived this week (enough for about 60,000 pots) so we must have potted a lot. Looking in the prop tunnels there still seems to be plenty to do, I hope I haven’t got over-excited again on my potting plans. We over-wintered some mega big modules this year so we should get some really chunky strong stock into those hairy pots, I love to see loads of healthy, rampantly strong plants leaving despatch, it isn’t always easy or cheap to achieve but it makes us feel good. We’ll worry about the bank balance next winter when the money runs out again! Broken finger progress is good, still splinted up for protection during the day but overall not holding me back too much. I seem to have developed a tick/twitch in it as I use the computer mouse which has been a challenge at times. It sticks out to the right as I work and keeps right clicking for me. All sorts of things have been happening apparently beyond my control it’s quite distressing what can be done on that button. Funny a first then frustrating. Having watched the excellent programmes over the last couple of weeks about the Tourettes affected folk trying to find work I’m wondering if I’m heading that way, let’s hope not, that degree of loss of brain control is scary.
Swallows over Cornwall already so summer is just around the corner. Skylarks are singing and tadpoles growing, get out there and celebrate the spring.
Availability highlights
Lots of plants beginning to show a nice spring flush of growth now as the season progresses, even with the temperatures not doing a lot.
Excellent Pulsatilla’s have come through really strongly now, with plenty of bud and the odd opening flower. The red and purple forms are particularly impressive. Get them while they are hot. Brunnera are showing their early buds and flowers now, Delightful forget-me-not blue dainty things heralding the spring. We have two forms, the green leaved and the variegated both equally dashing. Be quick they don’t hang about long.
The ever popular Erysimum’s are doing really well. Two of the most popular varieties, Red Jep and Bowles Mauve, are looking great, dark green foliage, bushy with bud showing. The Bowles Mauve are showing a little colour as the first buds open, this variety just goes on and on flowering until the frosts. Fresh batches of Pastel Patchwork and Apricot Twist will be in bud again very soon keep an ear out.
Polemonium Heaven Scent shows great early colour in the garden and the flower shoots and buds are just appearing above the lovely bronzed green foliage. Signs of activity from some of the Primula’s now as spring approaches. The denticulata varieties are showing their early buds and the odd splash of colour.
White splashed leaves and lovely pale blue flowers still coming on the Pulmonaria Opal. Still have a few Symphytum Wisley Blue left in bud/flower. Subtle pale blue flowers appear early every year.
The overwintered Lupin’s, Digitalis and Delph’s are all looking full of promise and vigour. Monster Lupins, very pleased with these.Not sure if I should mention Lathyrus vernus they are going to disappear so quick and I don’t have a huge number. We were experimenting with timings etc to get a flowering neat crop so I didn’t order too many, just in case, but they are ok and in flower now, but don’t tell anyone please. This is a reward for those who read to the very bottom!
Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries
Monday, 4 April 2016
Monday, 21 March 2016
Hairy Easter Everyone
Hello again, it’s only me,
After a fabulous Thursday basking in the sun it’s grey and flippin’ cold out there. Still at least it’s not raining or worse. After such a mild early winter and lots of plants looking very advanced it’s all gone on hold it seems with this cool run of weather. It certainly doesn’t feel like it is coming up to Easter but there it is.
Slightly early with the list this week in anticipation of some extra sales activity next week, we live in hope. Actually I have quite a few orders in already so the week is filling up. We always try to avoid delivering on Good Friday but please bear with us if we have to slip one or two out then, we will be trying our best. I suspect the cool weather and the day off for most on Easter Sunday will put a slight dampener on order sizes, but that is quite understandable and I won’t be upset, honest. If there is anyone out there thinking of ordering for the coming week could get their orders in as promptly as possible then we can try and make sure we get around everyone as efficiently and quickly as we can. Any later orders may be disappointed, although if you get desperate it is always worth contacting us, you never know we may be coming close by with a space on the van.
Lots of potting underway as we dream of some upcoming nice warm growing weather to grow even more lovely plants. We are starting to get going on some extra weekend work now to keep up with the demand, so no more hockey and I’m missing out on the highlight of the week, getting off the nursery to get the groceries in. Managed to get through the week without knocking the broken finger about too much but it doesn’t like this cold weather. Slightly restricted in the jobs I can manage but overall not as disabling as I feared, which is just as well with the withdrawal of a load of benefits announced this week. Had a nasty moment earlier in the week when I feared more dramatic loss of upper body mobility but it turned out I had put on both my mega thick fleece jackets without noticing. Mental capacity now perhaps more of a concern.
New trick learnt this week. The office printer refuses to print nicely first thing in the morning, chewing up the paper as it passes through causing repeated paper jams. Very frustrating as you try and rush out an early order and everyone is standing about waiting. It can go on for ages until things warm up enough and then it will happily print all day. One morning in desperation I got a fan heater and held it up to the device and within seconds it was cured. It’s worked several times now so feeling quite smug and it’s still cheaper than turning the temperature up overnight in the office!
Availability highlights
Still early days yet, but there are a lot of early signs of plant activity. The ever popular Erysimum’s are doing really well. Two of the most popular varieties, Red Jep & Bowles Mauve, are looking great, dark green foliage, bushy with bud showing. The Bowles Mauve are showing a little colour as the first buds open, this variety just goes on and on flowering until the frosts.
Polemonium Heaven Scent shows great early colour in the garden and the flower shoots and buds are just appearing above the lovely bronzed green foliage. Pulmonaria’s looking good, attractive foliage and showing bud and some colour.Signs of activity from some of the Primula’s now as spring approaches. The denticulata varieties are showing their early buds and the odd splash of colour. Pulsatilla’s are now coming through nicely with their buds developing nicely. The overwintered Lupin’s, Digitalis and Delph’s are all looking full of promise and vigour. Monster Lupins, very pleased with these. Fritillarias are nicely showing now but only a few left.
Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries
After a fabulous Thursday basking in the sun it’s grey and flippin’ cold out there. Still at least it’s not raining or worse. After such a mild early winter and lots of plants looking very advanced it’s all gone on hold it seems with this cool run of weather. It certainly doesn’t feel like it is coming up to Easter but there it is.
Slightly early with the list this week in anticipation of some extra sales activity next week, we live in hope. Actually I have quite a few orders in already so the week is filling up. We always try to avoid delivering on Good Friday but please bear with us if we have to slip one or two out then, we will be trying our best. I suspect the cool weather and the day off for most on Easter Sunday will put a slight dampener on order sizes, but that is quite understandable and I won’t be upset, honest. If there is anyone out there thinking of ordering for the coming week could get their orders in as promptly as possible then we can try and make sure we get around everyone as efficiently and quickly as we can. Any later orders may be disappointed, although if you get desperate it is always worth contacting us, you never know we may be coming close by with a space on the van.
Lots of potting underway as we dream of some upcoming nice warm growing weather to grow even more lovely plants. We are starting to get going on some extra weekend work now to keep up with the demand, so no more hockey and I’m missing out on the highlight of the week, getting off the nursery to get the groceries in. Managed to get through the week without knocking the broken finger about too much but it doesn’t like this cold weather. Slightly restricted in the jobs I can manage but overall not as disabling as I feared, which is just as well with the withdrawal of a load of benefits announced this week. Had a nasty moment earlier in the week when I feared more dramatic loss of upper body mobility but it turned out I had put on both my mega thick fleece jackets without noticing. Mental capacity now perhaps more of a concern.
New trick learnt this week. The office printer refuses to print nicely first thing in the morning, chewing up the paper as it passes through causing repeated paper jams. Very frustrating as you try and rush out an early order and everyone is standing about waiting. It can go on for ages until things warm up enough and then it will happily print all day. One morning in desperation I got a fan heater and held it up to the device and within seconds it was cured. It’s worked several times now so feeling quite smug and it’s still cheaper than turning the temperature up overnight in the office!
Availability highlights
Still early days yet, but there are a lot of early signs of plant activity. The ever popular Erysimum’s are doing really well. Two of the most popular varieties, Red Jep & Bowles Mauve, are looking great, dark green foliage, bushy with bud showing. The Bowles Mauve are showing a little colour as the first buds open, this variety just goes on and on flowering until the frosts.
Polemonium Heaven Scent shows great early colour in the garden and the flower shoots and buds are just appearing above the lovely bronzed green foliage. Pulmonaria’s looking good, attractive foliage and showing bud and some colour.Signs of activity from some of the Primula’s now as spring approaches. The denticulata varieties are showing their early buds and the odd splash of colour. Pulsatilla’s are now coming through nicely with their buds developing nicely. The overwintered Lupin’s, Digitalis and Delph’s are all looking full of promise and vigour. Monster Lupins, very pleased with these. Fritillarias are nicely showing now but only a few left.
Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries
Monday, 14 March 2016
Digital Hairy
Morning all,
Glorious morning, sun is shining, bit cool but no wind so feels great to be out there. Looks like we might be in for a few settled days, disappointing temperatures but at least it promises to be a bit drier. Bit better for preparing the ground for all that spring planting that is about to happen.
An eventful week with potting well under way again and sales ticking over nicely. Not the best weather for a brilliant take off of plant sales but still a long way to go yet so not too worried yet. I have managed to finish off the new mess room shed which I’m really pleased with, it’s tidy, warm, light and efficient. Possibly a bit tighter on space than I would like but at least that does force us to keep it tidy. Might have to get some cake in for an official opening next week, any excuse!
Birthday celebration cake already consumed this week in honour of me completing yet another year. It was the usual whirl of excitement just like most other days on the nursery. Actually missed my own cake on the day, with an appointment at the fracture clinic to check over the result of an incident on Saturday. I managed to intercept a rising shot at goal by stopping the hockey ball with my stick, unfortunately leaving my finger between the two. The doctor in the team was spot on with his diagnosis that the combination of deep cut and possible broken bone would need proper treatment to avoid infection. Saturday evening in casualty didn’t sound like great timing but my treatment was excellent and pretty swift. Some of the tasks this week have been a bit challenging as a result, but it could be worse. The team played really well without me, pegging back the opposition to only 8-0.
New watch for my birthday after the old one died. This one is a self winder, so all I have to do is move about a bit for it to keep going. Delighted to think of all that energy I’m saving by not having to buy batteries. I am well aware that I may have to consume extra cake to make up for that winding energy being taken from my reserves. The other star present was a couple of mixed grill packs from the local butchers, with a vegetarian partner this is a rare and wonderful treat. Delicious beer to wash it down too, mmmm. It’s ok I’m allowed to dribble at my age.
Little bit of tension in the air now as the pressure of the upcoming spring and summer seasons approaches. Looks like we need to get started on some weekend overtime to get through the increasing workload although the extra cost is always a concern as the overdraft peaks at the same time. It’ll just be a few weeks of nervous juggling to work it all through and then we can relax into the season.
Forgot to mention that the frogspawn arrived a couple of weeks ago. A bit of a relief as I thought we might have scared them off after we had cleared out the rather congested main pond over the winter and it all looked a bit bare. We are hoping to attract the dragonflies and damsel flies back as they like the more open water to do their stuff in. Spotted a fox for the first time on the nursery this week which was exciting for the couple who saw it. Reminded us to get out and check the nursery perimeter for new holes to patch up and keep the rabbits out (or in if they beat us to it).
Availability highlights
Still early days yet, but there are a lot of early signs of plant activity, many not quite ready for the list but it won’t be long if the weather doesn’t take a dive. Pulmonaria’s looking good showing bud and some colour.
The ever popular Erysimum’s are doing really well. Two of the most popular varieties, Red Jep and Bowles Mauve, are looking great, dark green foliage, bushy with bud showing. The Bowles Mauve are showing a little colour as the first buds open, this variety just goes on and on flowering until the frosts.
Signs of activity from some of the Primula’s now as spring approaches. Pulsatilla’s are now coming through nicely with a few buds developing nicely. The overwintered Lupin’s, Digitalis and Delph’s are all looking full of promise and vigour.
The Tulips, Alliums and Camassia are bursting through with roots ripping through the pot sides, if anyone needs a few bulbs, Fritillarias are nicely showing now and there is already the odd nodding bud appearing too.
Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries
Glorious morning, sun is shining, bit cool but no wind so feels great to be out there. Looks like we might be in for a few settled days, disappointing temperatures but at least it promises to be a bit drier. Bit better for preparing the ground for all that spring planting that is about to happen.
An eventful week with potting well under way again and sales ticking over nicely. Not the best weather for a brilliant take off of plant sales but still a long way to go yet so not too worried yet. I have managed to finish off the new mess room shed which I’m really pleased with, it’s tidy, warm, light and efficient. Possibly a bit tighter on space than I would like but at least that does force us to keep it tidy. Might have to get some cake in for an official opening next week, any excuse!
Birthday celebration cake already consumed this week in honour of me completing yet another year. It was the usual whirl of excitement just like most other days on the nursery. Actually missed my own cake on the day, with an appointment at the fracture clinic to check over the result of an incident on Saturday. I managed to intercept a rising shot at goal by stopping the hockey ball with my stick, unfortunately leaving my finger between the two. The doctor in the team was spot on with his diagnosis that the combination of deep cut and possible broken bone would need proper treatment to avoid infection. Saturday evening in casualty didn’t sound like great timing but my treatment was excellent and pretty swift. Some of the tasks this week have been a bit challenging as a result, but it could be worse. The team played really well without me, pegging back the opposition to only 8-0.
New watch for my birthday after the old one died. This one is a self winder, so all I have to do is move about a bit for it to keep going. Delighted to think of all that energy I’m saving by not having to buy batteries. I am well aware that I may have to consume extra cake to make up for that winding energy being taken from my reserves. The other star present was a couple of mixed grill packs from the local butchers, with a vegetarian partner this is a rare and wonderful treat. Delicious beer to wash it down too, mmmm. It’s ok I’m allowed to dribble at my age.
Little bit of tension in the air now as the pressure of the upcoming spring and summer seasons approaches. Looks like we need to get started on some weekend overtime to get through the increasing workload although the extra cost is always a concern as the overdraft peaks at the same time. It’ll just be a few weeks of nervous juggling to work it all through and then we can relax into the season.
Forgot to mention that the frogspawn arrived a couple of weeks ago. A bit of a relief as I thought we might have scared them off after we had cleared out the rather congested main pond over the winter and it all looked a bit bare. We are hoping to attract the dragonflies and damsel flies back as they like the more open water to do their stuff in. Spotted a fox for the first time on the nursery this week which was exciting for the couple who saw it. Reminded us to get out and check the nursery perimeter for new holes to patch up and keep the rabbits out (or in if they beat us to it).
Availability highlights
Still early days yet, but there are a lot of early signs of plant activity, many not quite ready for the list but it won’t be long if the weather doesn’t take a dive. Pulmonaria’s looking good showing bud and some colour.
The ever popular Erysimum’s are doing really well. Two of the most popular varieties, Red Jep and Bowles Mauve, are looking great, dark green foliage, bushy with bud showing. The Bowles Mauve are showing a little colour as the first buds open, this variety just goes on and on flowering until the frosts.
Signs of activity from some of the Primula’s now as spring approaches. Pulsatilla’s are now coming through nicely with a few buds developing nicely. The overwintered Lupin’s, Digitalis and Delph’s are all looking full of promise and vigour.
The Tulips, Alliums and Camassia are bursting through with roots ripping through the pot sides, if anyone needs a few bulbs, Fritillarias are nicely showing now and there is already the odd nodding bud appearing too.
Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries
Monday, 7 March 2016
Hairy Fumes
Morning all,
Sorry no time for nursery news today. Time is short, just wasted 2 hours down at the village hall sitting through a meeting to ‘discuss’ the local college proposal to build a biogas plant. It was actually a meeting to discuss how to protest against it, not exactly a balanced delivery although to be honest the mood from the parish council has been pretty negative from the original announcement so it was no great surprise. They did at the end ask if there was anyone supporting the application and two hands where raised, brave souls. Sure there are some valid vehicle movement concerns although it all appears to be away from the village and relatively light in comparison to the vast movements of students and horse boxes that go on, but nothing that caused me too much worry. Being one of the dummies who raised their hands I was asked if I wanted to comment but I declined, the adrenaline was running and there didn’t seem much point knocking down some of the sensationalist presentations to sensible levels as I suspect the battle with that particular audience is lost and I was quite likely to lose the plot along the way! It is quite a big plant so could make a significant contribution to relatively carbon neutral gas production, and it would get fed straight into the mains supply so might help neutralise some of the areas shocking carbon output. Anyway, having alienated most of the village and messed up my morning I’m now off to run about in my shorts and get walloped in Petersfield (It’s a popular pastime in these rural parts).
Availability highlights
Still early days yet, but there are a lot of early signs of plant activity, many not quite ready for the list but it won’t be long if the weather doesn’t take a dive. Pulmonaria’s looking good showing bud and some colour. The ever popular Erysimum’s are doing really well. Two of the most popular varieties, Red Jep and Bowles Mauve, are looking great, dark green foliage, bushy with bud showing. The Bowles Mauve are showing a little colour as the first buds open, this variety just goes on & on flowering until the frosts. Pulsatilla’s are now coming through nicely with a few buds developing nicely. The overwintered Lupin’s, Digitalis and Delph’s are all looking full of promise and vigour.
The Tulips, Alliums and Camassia are bursting through with roots ripping through the pot sides, if anyone needs a few bulbs, Fritillarias are nicely showing now and there is already the odd nodding bud appearing too.
Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries
Monday, 29 February 2016
Old and Hairy
Morning all,
Marginally chilly wind out there today, nice when the sun comes out and you’re in some shelter. Can’t say I’m looking forward to stripping off and running around the hockey pitch this afternoon, not when I could be tucked up in the relative warm here printing labels ready for the coming weeks. Pre season tension is rising, spring madness is imminent and there are still too many winter jobs to finish. After 32 years I should know that we always get to the end of the day, the end of the week and the end of the season without too many unsolvable problems. There is always a hot meal, warm bed and moral support at the end of each day which makes it all manageable and even at times fun.
The glorious new mess room shed is not quite finished but is operational and with a bit of a push this weekend I may just about get it complete. Electrics, plumbing and drainage are up and running without a leak in sight (famous last words). Must order in a little gravel to tidy up around it and make room for the outside beverage consumption during warmer times. We won’t want to get back to work at this rate.
Started the ‘spring’ potting this week so hoping for a little warmer weather to get the new things growing. The winter cutting back and pot tidying is beginning to tail off with just a few tunnels to finish, just about perfect timing. Not really quite enough time in the week after a day out on a pest and disease control conference, a funeral and our quarterly NBIS meeting. Although it can be frustrating to miss out on all that production time each of the distractions had a positive influence which helps immensely in the longer term. I managed to squeeze in tea at our favourite archaeologist on the way back from the P and D conference. I was keen to hear the latest on his trip to the British Museum with his latest local flint discoveries. One hour of intense flint examination, guidance and a nice cuppa certainly made for a different break before the long drive home, beats Starbucks that’s for sure. In a nutshell he has identified a site where our ancestors visited on and off for over 10’s of thousands of years, a hill site overlooking the convergence of three valleys, great for watching out for migrating herds. Flints from Neanderthals (possibly 60,000 years old) through modern humans up to more resent Neolithic times with examples of flints from many different periods. Complications arise because the finds are on the surface and not stratified in discernible layers so actually proving the age is far more difficult but the exciting bit is that you can still see the basic landscape the people were exploiting. Looking forward to publication of the finds in Lithics Monthly in a few months time! Nice to touch base, tea with a mate and distant contact with the lives of the relatives. Better get back in that shed.
Availability highlights
Still early days yet, but there are a lot of early signs of plant activity, many not quite ready for the list but it won’t be long if the weather doesn’t take a dive.Pulmonaria’s looking good showing bud and some colour.
The ever popular Erysimum’s are doing really well. Two of the most popular varieties, Red Jep and Bowles Mauve, are looking great, dark green foliage, bushy with bud showing. The Bowles Mauve are showing a little colour as the first buds open, this variety just goes on & on flowering until the frosts. Pulsatilla’s are now coming through nicely with a few buds developing nicely. The overwintered Lupin’s, Digitalis and Delph’s are all looking full of promise and vigour. Doronicum Little Leo has just got going on its bud and flower production, not many left but a nice splash of early yellow bloom none the less.
The Tulips, Alliums and Camassia are bursting through with roots ripping through the pot sides, if anyone needs a few bulbs, Fritillarias are nicely showing now and there is already the odd nodding bud appearing too.
Evergreen Liriope muscari looking verdant, definitely the best crop of these we have ever grow, always a tricky one to get leaf and roots both doing well at the same time! We have changed the production process completely and although a bit longer and more effort the results are really satisfying.
Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries
Marginally chilly wind out there today, nice when the sun comes out and you’re in some shelter. Can’t say I’m looking forward to stripping off and running around the hockey pitch this afternoon, not when I could be tucked up in the relative warm here printing labels ready for the coming weeks. Pre season tension is rising, spring madness is imminent and there are still too many winter jobs to finish. After 32 years I should know that we always get to the end of the day, the end of the week and the end of the season without too many unsolvable problems. There is always a hot meal, warm bed and moral support at the end of each day which makes it all manageable and even at times fun.
The glorious new mess room shed is not quite finished but is operational and with a bit of a push this weekend I may just about get it complete. Electrics, plumbing and drainage are up and running without a leak in sight (famous last words). Must order in a little gravel to tidy up around it and make room for the outside beverage consumption during warmer times. We won’t want to get back to work at this rate.
Started the ‘spring’ potting this week so hoping for a little warmer weather to get the new things growing. The winter cutting back and pot tidying is beginning to tail off with just a few tunnels to finish, just about perfect timing. Not really quite enough time in the week after a day out on a pest and disease control conference, a funeral and our quarterly NBIS meeting. Although it can be frustrating to miss out on all that production time each of the distractions had a positive influence which helps immensely in the longer term. I managed to squeeze in tea at our favourite archaeologist on the way back from the P and D conference. I was keen to hear the latest on his trip to the British Museum with his latest local flint discoveries. One hour of intense flint examination, guidance and a nice cuppa certainly made for a different break before the long drive home, beats Starbucks that’s for sure. In a nutshell he has identified a site where our ancestors visited on and off for over 10’s of thousands of years, a hill site overlooking the convergence of three valleys, great for watching out for migrating herds. Flints from Neanderthals (possibly 60,000 years old) through modern humans up to more resent Neolithic times with examples of flints from many different periods. Complications arise because the finds are on the surface and not stratified in discernible layers so actually proving the age is far more difficult but the exciting bit is that you can still see the basic landscape the people were exploiting. Looking forward to publication of the finds in Lithics Monthly in a few months time! Nice to touch base, tea with a mate and distant contact with the lives of the relatives. Better get back in that shed.
Availability highlights
Still early days yet, but there are a lot of early signs of plant activity, many not quite ready for the list but it won’t be long if the weather doesn’t take a dive.Pulmonaria’s looking good showing bud and some colour.
The ever popular Erysimum’s are doing really well. Two of the most popular varieties, Red Jep and Bowles Mauve, are looking great, dark green foliage, bushy with bud showing. The Bowles Mauve are showing a little colour as the first buds open, this variety just goes on & on flowering until the frosts. Pulsatilla’s are now coming through nicely with a few buds developing nicely. The overwintered Lupin’s, Digitalis and Delph’s are all looking full of promise and vigour. Doronicum Little Leo has just got going on its bud and flower production, not many left but a nice splash of early yellow bloom none the less.
The Tulips, Alliums and Camassia are bursting through with roots ripping through the pot sides, if anyone needs a few bulbs, Fritillarias are nicely showing now and there is already the odd nodding bud appearing too.
Evergreen Liriope muscari looking verdant, definitely the best crop of these we have ever grow, always a tricky one to get leaf and roots both doing well at the same time! We have changed the production process completely and although a bit longer and more effort the results are really satisfying.
Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries
Monday, 22 February 2016
Hairy Drips
Morning all,
Another week rushes by. Not only a shed load of jobs (literally) but plenty of orders, plants and bulbs to pot all squeezed in around a difficult week or so. We sadly lost one of our elderly neighbours earlier in the week after a quick decline at the end of a long period of being looked after in a local home. Thankfully she slipped away peacefully in the company of friends and relatives and you can’t ask much more than that really. The funeral is later this week so forgive us if we are slightly less available than usual, there will be a few commitments to be fulfilled from this end through the week.
The mess room shed is progressing slowly, we are now more or less water tight after battling with the elements for the last couple of weeks. Every time we started a critical job it took twice as long and started raining halfway through. The last piece of felt went on the roof on Thursday after we abandoned finishing it the day before, when a combination of wet, wind and cold stopped us in our tracks. The sun was out when we started! I’m pretty sure we haven’t sealed in too much moisture, the inside is certainly dry and cosy at the moment. Quite a bit of the plumbing and electrics are done, so hoping to be in their later in the week for the first brew. Even more frustrating than shed building is anything associated with water and irrigation systems. We had to fit a new water meter this week. Got off to a good start in that I actually ordered the right size in the first place which makes a change. We were fitting it in the same position as the old meter in a line of fittings next to the super efficient variable speed water pumps so it could have been a simple job of undoing a couple of big nuts and slipping in the new unit. However we have always have a couple of niggly little leaks from the fittings since they were originally installed, just a litre or two a day into a bucket, just enough to keep the floor damp when the bucket overflowed. The perfect occasion to mend these leaks we thought. Well two days later after a repeating dismantle and rebuild marathon we thought we had cured it only to step outside the pump shed door to find the main tank feed to the pumps pissistantly leaking having never leaked before. Oh dear. Another battle ensued and only after replacing the flexible pipe and gunging each end up with Pufty tape and sealant did we succeed in a drip free zone. Great sense of relief and satisfaction in the end as long as I don’t think of the value of our time!
Record day yesterday for our turbine output, not particularly strong winds but good and steady. February will be another above prediction month which will hopefully help the teetering cash-flow over the next couple of months with the extra income and reduced bills. It’s not been a very nice winter on the wet and flooding front but it has kept those blades turning.
Availability highlights
Still early days yet, but there are a lot of early signs of plant activity, many not quite ready for the list but it won’t be long if the weather doesn’t take a dive. The relatively mild winter, so far, has encouraged the Pulmonaria’s and Erysimums into bud and some are even showing some colour too. Pulsatilla’s are now coming through nicely with a few buds developing nicely. Doronicum Little Leo has just got going on its bud and flower production, not many left but a nice splash of early yellow bloom none the less.
The Tulips and Alliums are bursting through with roots ripping through the pot sides, if anyone needs a few bulbs, Fritillarias are nicely showing now and there is already the odd nodding bud appearing too.
Evergreen Liriope muscari looking verdant, definitely the best crop of these we have ever grow, always a tricky one to get leaf and roots both doing well at the same time! We have changed the production process completely and although a bit longer and more effort the results are really satisfying.
Minimum delivery reduction for the winter.
During the winter our range of available stock is limited by the lack of enthusiasm of a lot of stock to show their face in the cold, but we still have a few evergreen hardy sorts doing their thing and a few early season show offs too. I know it can be tricky putting together a minimum order of a full trolley (21 trays) at this time of year so if you fancy a few trays but can’t get to 21 we are happy to reduce the minimum to 12 trays for local drops and 15 trays for a bit further afield. Just a week or two for this offer to run then we hit Spring proper!
Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries
Another week rushes by. Not only a shed load of jobs (literally) but plenty of orders, plants and bulbs to pot all squeezed in around a difficult week or so. We sadly lost one of our elderly neighbours earlier in the week after a quick decline at the end of a long period of being looked after in a local home. Thankfully she slipped away peacefully in the company of friends and relatives and you can’t ask much more than that really. The funeral is later this week so forgive us if we are slightly less available than usual, there will be a few commitments to be fulfilled from this end through the week.
The mess room shed is progressing slowly, we are now more or less water tight after battling with the elements for the last couple of weeks. Every time we started a critical job it took twice as long and started raining halfway through. The last piece of felt went on the roof on Thursday after we abandoned finishing it the day before, when a combination of wet, wind and cold stopped us in our tracks. The sun was out when we started! I’m pretty sure we haven’t sealed in too much moisture, the inside is certainly dry and cosy at the moment. Quite a bit of the plumbing and electrics are done, so hoping to be in their later in the week for the first brew. Even more frustrating than shed building is anything associated with water and irrigation systems. We had to fit a new water meter this week. Got off to a good start in that I actually ordered the right size in the first place which makes a change. We were fitting it in the same position as the old meter in a line of fittings next to the super efficient variable speed water pumps so it could have been a simple job of undoing a couple of big nuts and slipping in the new unit. However we have always have a couple of niggly little leaks from the fittings since they were originally installed, just a litre or two a day into a bucket, just enough to keep the floor damp when the bucket overflowed. The perfect occasion to mend these leaks we thought. Well two days later after a repeating dismantle and rebuild marathon we thought we had cured it only to step outside the pump shed door to find the main tank feed to the pumps pissistantly leaking having never leaked before. Oh dear. Another battle ensued and only after replacing the flexible pipe and gunging each end up with Pufty tape and sealant did we succeed in a drip free zone. Great sense of relief and satisfaction in the end as long as I don’t think of the value of our time!
Record day yesterday for our turbine output, not particularly strong winds but good and steady. February will be another above prediction month which will hopefully help the teetering cash-flow over the next couple of months with the extra income and reduced bills. It’s not been a very nice winter on the wet and flooding front but it has kept those blades turning.
Availability highlights
Still early days yet, but there are a lot of early signs of plant activity, many not quite ready for the list but it won’t be long if the weather doesn’t take a dive. The relatively mild winter, so far, has encouraged the Pulmonaria’s and Erysimums into bud and some are even showing some colour too. Pulsatilla’s are now coming through nicely with a few buds developing nicely. Doronicum Little Leo has just got going on its bud and flower production, not many left but a nice splash of early yellow bloom none the less.
The Tulips and Alliums are bursting through with roots ripping through the pot sides, if anyone needs a few bulbs, Fritillarias are nicely showing now and there is already the odd nodding bud appearing too.
Evergreen Liriope muscari looking verdant, definitely the best crop of these we have ever grow, always a tricky one to get leaf and roots both doing well at the same time! We have changed the production process completely and although a bit longer and more effort the results are really satisfying.
Minimum delivery reduction for the winter.
During the winter our range of available stock is limited by the lack of enthusiasm of a lot of stock to show their face in the cold, but we still have a few evergreen hardy sorts doing their thing and a few early season show offs too. I know it can be tricky putting together a minimum order of a full trolley (21 trays) at this time of year so if you fancy a few trays but can’t get to 21 we are happy to reduce the minimum to 12 trays for local drops and 15 trays for a bit further afield. Just a week or two for this offer to run then we hit Spring proper!
Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Hairy Love
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.
About the usual level of romance for the big day here on the nursery. Nice and quiet as it’s Sunday but mostly on my lonesome as Caroline has been away most of the last few days sitting with an old family friend who sadly is slipping away. All is quiet and comfortable with friends and family around which is all you could wish for really.
At least this time there is an excuse not to fall for all the hype around this date. Lots of interesting messages flying about for me in the various advertising campaigns, a dozen roses for £5 at Asda I think it was, there is nothing like expressing your undying love by splashing out on a bargain! ‘Darling you are so cheap these days.’ I suppose it is useful to have a reminder not to take what we have for granted but we are both so bad at doing what we are supposed to, going with the flow never seems quite challenging enough. Just need to remember at some point later in the year to spring a surprise or two before finding it’s suddenly Valentine’s day again! Personally I find a bunch in the washing machine or similar can work well or perhaps some creative hanging up of the washing on the line might produce a smile (especially if stumbled across by an unintended target). After nearly 32 years together even the unpredicatable becomes not, but there is some comforting reassurance in that.
Anyway back on the nursery we have been busy sending out quite a few orders and seeing the sun out today makes me think Spring isn’t too far away. We are still manically trying to be all prepared and ready to roll but I can feel time running out. The new mess room shed is mostly up, despite the pretty horrible weather for construction last week. The double glazed window and doors are in so we are nearly water tight. Roof insulation went on Thursday but it got too wet to get the final felt covering on, hence the ‘nearly watertight’. Dried out the inside easily and got all the plumbing and electric holes cut, floor lined with thin ply yesterday and hoping to cut and fit the vinyl floor covering later today. New little insulated eco- water heater is here, for fitting over the reused sink from the old mess room which we remounted in a second-hand kitchen unit. I’m thinking of moving in next week and renting out the house.
Looks like a bright and frosty couple of days coming up, north winds will add an extra chill but it looks like mild weather again later in the week. So I will need to blow out the irrigation lines again later today to keep them in one piece before recharging them again later. Bit of a pain but worth it when I look at the lovely fresh spring growth coming on a lot of stock. We have a load of young plants we over wintered in really big modules this year, after I got a bit over excited with summer plant purchasing. They are looking great and any minute now we are going to have to hit the potting hard. Never quite sure of the right moment to start, too early and they sit about waiting to get away and the compost bill comes too early, too late and we struggle to find the time to keep up with the workload. Whenever we start it will be a joy potting such good looking stock.
Availability highlights
Still early days yet, but there are a lot of early signs of plant activity, many not quite ready for the list but it won’t be long if the weather doesn’t take a dive. The relatively mild winter, so far, has encouraged the Pulmonaria’s and Erysimums into bud and some are even showing some colour too.
The Tulips and Alliums are bursting through with roots ripping through the pot sides, if anyone needs a few bulbs, Fritillarias are nicely showing now, it will be a little while before many buds show but looking full of promise.
Evergreen Liriope muscari looking verdant, definitely the best crop of these we have ever grow, always a tricky one to get leaf and roots both doing well at the same time! We have changed the production process completely and although a bit longer and more effort the results are really satisfying.
Minimum delivery reduction for the winter.
During the winter our range of available stock is limited by the lack of enthusiasm of a lot of stock to show their face in the cold, but we still have a few evergreen hardy sorts doing their thing and a few early season show offs too. I know it can be tricky putting together a minimum order of a full trolley (21 trays) at this time of year so if you fancy a few trays but can’t get to 21 we are happy to reduce the minimum to 12 trays for local drops and 15 trays for a bit further afield. Just a week or two for this offer to run then we hit Spring proper!
Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries
About the usual level of romance for the big day here on the nursery. Nice and quiet as it’s Sunday but mostly on my lonesome as Caroline has been away most of the last few days sitting with an old family friend who sadly is slipping away. All is quiet and comfortable with friends and family around which is all you could wish for really.
At least this time there is an excuse not to fall for all the hype around this date. Lots of interesting messages flying about for me in the various advertising campaigns, a dozen roses for £5 at Asda I think it was, there is nothing like expressing your undying love by splashing out on a bargain! ‘Darling you are so cheap these days.’ I suppose it is useful to have a reminder not to take what we have for granted but we are both so bad at doing what we are supposed to, going with the flow never seems quite challenging enough. Just need to remember at some point later in the year to spring a surprise or two before finding it’s suddenly Valentine’s day again! Personally I find a bunch in the washing machine or similar can work well or perhaps some creative hanging up of the washing on the line might produce a smile (especially if stumbled across by an unintended target). After nearly 32 years together even the unpredicatable becomes not, but there is some comforting reassurance in that.
Anyway back on the nursery we have been busy sending out quite a few orders and seeing the sun out today makes me think Spring isn’t too far away. We are still manically trying to be all prepared and ready to roll but I can feel time running out. The new mess room shed is mostly up, despite the pretty horrible weather for construction last week. The double glazed window and doors are in so we are nearly water tight. Roof insulation went on Thursday but it got too wet to get the final felt covering on, hence the ‘nearly watertight’. Dried out the inside easily and got all the plumbing and electric holes cut, floor lined with thin ply yesterday and hoping to cut and fit the vinyl floor covering later today. New little insulated eco- water heater is here, for fitting over the reused sink from the old mess room which we remounted in a second-hand kitchen unit. I’m thinking of moving in next week and renting out the house.
Looks like a bright and frosty couple of days coming up, north winds will add an extra chill but it looks like mild weather again later in the week. So I will need to blow out the irrigation lines again later today to keep them in one piece before recharging them again later. Bit of a pain but worth it when I look at the lovely fresh spring growth coming on a lot of stock. We have a load of young plants we over wintered in really big modules this year, after I got a bit over excited with summer plant purchasing. They are looking great and any minute now we are going to have to hit the potting hard. Never quite sure of the right moment to start, too early and they sit about waiting to get away and the compost bill comes too early, too late and we struggle to find the time to keep up with the workload. Whenever we start it will be a joy potting such good looking stock.
Availability highlights
Still early days yet, but there are a lot of early signs of plant activity, many not quite ready for the list but it won’t be long if the weather doesn’t take a dive. The relatively mild winter, so far, has encouraged the Pulmonaria’s and Erysimums into bud and some are even showing some colour too.
The Tulips and Alliums are bursting through with roots ripping through the pot sides, if anyone needs a few bulbs, Fritillarias are nicely showing now, it will be a little while before many buds show but looking full of promise.
Evergreen Liriope muscari looking verdant, definitely the best crop of these we have ever grow, always a tricky one to get leaf and roots both doing well at the same time! We have changed the production process completely and although a bit longer and more effort the results are really satisfying.
Minimum delivery reduction for the winter.
During the winter our range of available stock is limited by the lack of enthusiasm of a lot of stock to show their face in the cold, but we still have a few evergreen hardy sorts doing their thing and a few early season show offs too. I know it can be tricky putting together a minimum order of a full trolley (21 trays) at this time of year so if you fancy a few trays but can’t get to 21 we are happy to reduce the minimum to 12 trays for local drops and 15 trays for a bit further afield. Just a week or two for this offer to run then we hit Spring proper!
Have a good one, from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries
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