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
Monday 21 March 2016
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
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