Morning all,
Hope you all had a good Easter. Seems an age away already as we recover from another hectic week and prep ourselves for another pre-bank holiday week. Looks like we could be in for a chilly few days, but the following weekend doesn’t look too bad as temperatures recover. I know sales can suffer but we are getting fairly desperate for some rain, even some of the hedgerow plants are beginning to wilt. Our avenue of cow parsley that borders our path to the back door is definitely flagging after shooting up over the last couple of weeks. It’s part of our back to nature garden design!
Looking forward to an exciting week coming up. On top of the usual peak season challenges the comedy van is back in the garage on Monday for a final big part replacement which should cure its ongoing ills (touch rust, I mean wood), the forklift gets a new set of brakes, a full container of pots arrives (only 6 weeks late), a new storage tank is being installed and we have a judges visit from the Winchester Business Awards to check out our Green Business of the Year finalist credentials. Nothing like adding a few more straws to the camel’s back!
The full on nature of this time of year and the brain fatigue that creeps in always leads to a few extra senior moments. This week’s was at an evening Yoga session which was a little more ‘free-range’ than usual after I forgot the normal support wear. Control over my positions was not quite as Yin as it should have been but I think I got away with it. This was also the only session we’ve had where there was a photographer taking snaps for the web site, although see had assured us there would be no embarrassing personal shots involved. Let’s hope they are well edited.
Must go and have a bit of a tidy up for the judges and put together a list of green highlights that might float their boat. It’ll be good practice for our Green Impact assessment which must be due pretty soon too. Good job there is little else to do.
Availability highlights
Growth is bursting forth and spring is in the air. Stock is flying out in the nice run of weather, so just hoping we don’t run out! Plenty of bud on show on the Ajuga Burgundy Glow and Sugar Plum. A fresh batch of Achillea Paprika is now in bud and looking good, a hot plant. We have a nice range of Campanula rushing into bud but selling fast. There are some blue Geraniums coming into bud, there are a few G. Gravetye left and a nice batch of G magnificum.
All the Primula Miller’s Crimson are sold but there are still a few Apple Blossom and Alba coming into flower if you are quick. The next candelabra type into flower will be Primula x bullesiana which are showing their early bud stage at the moment. Subtle white flowers with a blue flush are opening on the Symphytum Wisley Blue, lovely strong plants. A mass of foliage and buds all appear in a rush with many of the Astilbes, early tight bud is visible now.
Camassia Maybelle are showing strong buds. A lovely blue variety, strong and upright often with multiple flower stems. Salvia’s are coming into bud now, short and chunky, no colour yet but full of promise.
Lupins and Digitalis are looking great, full of vigour and promise, both starting to produce their flower bud/shoots. Thalictrum flower stems really do thrust up, eventually getting quite tall, producing delightful delicate flowers. In bud now. The ever popular Erysimum Bowles Mauve are already showing bud and colour. A real long term performer with flowers all summer long. Fresh young stock of the other varieties looking good too (in bud). The ever popular Geum Lady Stratheden and Mrs Bradshaw are flushing into growth nicely, and have flower buds too.
Spring must be here, most of the Hostas have all suddenly shot out of the compost. A lovely range and all beginning to show off their wide variety of leaf designs. We have a few Erigeron Azure Beauty coming into bud and the very compact but big flowered Sea Breeze Mauve are there too. The big selling karvenskianus will be ready in a couple of weeks.
Verbascum Phoeniceum Hybrids have thrust out their flower stems, with a mix of colours to follow, just few left. Although not in flower yet the Iris sibirica are proving popular, but don’t miss out on the variety Butter aand Sugar which are a delightful pale yellow and white rather than the usual blue and purples. Masses of delicate pale blue flowers of Veronica gentanoides are on the way. Just a few left. The dwarf Veronica Inspire varieties are budding up well now, available in blue and pink. Many of the Leucanthemum are either in bud already or close to it. Lovely strong plants and very popular.
Have a good week from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.
Tuesday 25 April 2017
Tuesday 18 April 2017
Hairy Fog
Morning all,
Hope you are all coping with the Easter rush. Nice cool temperatures and the likelihood of a little welcome rain tonight, although probably not quite enough for the gardens. It’s been a fabulous run of nice weekends and demand has been built up week on week to quite scary levels. This time last year it had hardly started after a cold damp start to the spring but then it all recovered well for us and sales bowled along well into the summer months. We had to pull out all the stops this week to get all the stock out there but it all went and everyone got safely home. Now we could just do with a week to get everything back on an even keel and start all over again, but life’s not like that is it, we get four days with only a few staff in, followed by another 4 day week! I daren’t think about the next bank holiday in two weeks time, still, that’s how it is, just take one day at a time and be thankful nuclear war hasn’t broken out yet.
Brain is slightly hazy today after all the rushing about and a morning potting sprint with our Saturday potting gang. Managed to squeeze in a bit of herb seed sowing last night and a bit of wooden label printing, all slipped in between the first night-time application of predator nematodes, a long, but Good Friday in the end.
Taking a few hours off now to be entertained at this evening’s game at Southampton FC. Man City is likely to be a tough game let’s hope it is a positive result.
I was going to be witty and light-hearted this week, I’m sure something happened earlier, but the fog has descended and all is blank. Such is life at this time of year, hope I don’t fall asleep at the footy. Enjoy your Easter, don’t overdo the chocolate.
Post-Easter 4 day week coming up so everyone’s going to be really busy. The earlier orders are with us the better, as usual we will always try to accommodate any late entries if we can.
Thanks.
Availability highlights
Masses of delicate pale blue flowers of Veronica gentanoides are on the way. Lots of bud on chunky plants.
Growth is bursting forth and spring is in the air. Stock is flying out in the nice run of weather, so just hoping we don’t run out! Monster plants with a mass of bud on show on the Ajuga Burgundy Glow. Verbascum Phoeniceum Hybrids have thrust out their flower stems, with a mix of colours to follow. Subtle white flowers with a blue flush opening on the Symphytum Wisley Blue, lovely strong plants. Camassia Maybelle are show strong buds now. A lovely blue variety, strong and upright. Salvia’s are coming into bud now, short and chunky, no colour yet but full of promise. Really chunky Lupins and Digitalis are looking great, full of vigour and promise. Thalictrum flower stems really do thrust up (they are doing it now!), eventually getting quite tall, producing delightful flowers. The ever popular Erysimum Bowles Mauve are already showing bud and the odd splash of colour. The short orange variety of Geum Koi is flushing into growth nicely, and have flower shoots and buds too. There are plenty of flower shoots appearing on the Lady Stratheden and Mrs Bradshaw too. The spring flowering Euphorbia are coming into their own now, lovely plants just watch out for the irritating milky sap. Spring must be here, most of the Hostas have all suddenly shot out of the compost. A lovely range and all beginning to show off their wide variety of leaf designs. Although not in flower yet the Iris sibirica are proving popular, but don’t miss out on the variety Butter and Sugar which are a delightful pale yellow and white rather than the usual blue and purples.
Have a good week and Easter weekend from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.
Hope you are all coping with the Easter rush. Nice cool temperatures and the likelihood of a little welcome rain tonight, although probably not quite enough for the gardens. It’s been a fabulous run of nice weekends and demand has been built up week on week to quite scary levels. This time last year it had hardly started after a cold damp start to the spring but then it all recovered well for us and sales bowled along well into the summer months. We had to pull out all the stops this week to get all the stock out there but it all went and everyone got safely home. Now we could just do with a week to get everything back on an even keel and start all over again, but life’s not like that is it, we get four days with only a few staff in, followed by another 4 day week! I daren’t think about the next bank holiday in two weeks time, still, that’s how it is, just take one day at a time and be thankful nuclear war hasn’t broken out yet.
Brain is slightly hazy today after all the rushing about and a morning potting sprint with our Saturday potting gang. Managed to squeeze in a bit of herb seed sowing last night and a bit of wooden label printing, all slipped in between the first night-time application of predator nematodes, a long, but Good Friday in the end.
Taking a few hours off now to be entertained at this evening’s game at Southampton FC. Man City is likely to be a tough game let’s hope it is a positive result.
I was going to be witty and light-hearted this week, I’m sure something happened earlier, but the fog has descended and all is blank. Such is life at this time of year, hope I don’t fall asleep at the footy. Enjoy your Easter, don’t overdo the chocolate.
Post-Easter 4 day week coming up so everyone’s going to be really busy. The earlier orders are with us the better, as usual we will always try to accommodate any late entries if we can.
Thanks.
Availability highlights
Masses of delicate pale blue flowers of Veronica gentanoides are on the way. Lots of bud on chunky plants.
Growth is bursting forth and spring is in the air. Stock is flying out in the nice run of weather, so just hoping we don’t run out! Monster plants with a mass of bud on show on the Ajuga Burgundy Glow. Verbascum Phoeniceum Hybrids have thrust out their flower stems, with a mix of colours to follow. Subtle white flowers with a blue flush opening on the Symphytum Wisley Blue, lovely strong plants. Camassia Maybelle are show strong buds now. A lovely blue variety, strong and upright. Salvia’s are coming into bud now, short and chunky, no colour yet but full of promise. Really chunky Lupins and Digitalis are looking great, full of vigour and promise. Thalictrum flower stems really do thrust up (they are doing it now!), eventually getting quite tall, producing delightful flowers. The ever popular Erysimum Bowles Mauve are already showing bud and the odd splash of colour. The short orange variety of Geum Koi is flushing into growth nicely, and have flower shoots and buds too. There are plenty of flower shoots appearing on the Lady Stratheden and Mrs Bradshaw too. The spring flowering Euphorbia are coming into their own now, lovely plants just watch out for the irritating milky sap. Spring must be here, most of the Hostas have all suddenly shot out of the compost. A lovely range and all beginning to show off their wide variety of leaf designs. Although not in flower yet the Iris sibirica are proving popular, but don’t miss out on the variety Butter and Sugar which are a delightful pale yellow and white rather than the usual blue and purples.
Have a good week and Easter weekend from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.
Monday 10 April 2017
Hairy Impression
Morning all,
What a great run of weather, getting a bit warm for me, but next week looks a bit cooler which hopefully will keep things
from getting out of hand. There’s nothing worse than over excitement and getting your knickers in a twist, it really makes you walk funny.
We timed getting the new van perfectly and it had a really good run in this week, loads of deliveries to get through and still had the comedy van to pick up the odds and ends rather than the beaten up farm transit which we have at last returned. I must get the fuel figures calculated and compare it to the other van, it certainly goes further on a tank but it is bigger which helps, but it just feels more efficient. That feeling may well be down to ‘new van love’ so need to get the calculator out. Eventually managed to get away last Saturday evening and organised a lift into town with nephew Tom on condition I bought us both supper before the Spring Ball at Winchester Guildhall. Tom very gamely donned his full DJ outfit to Zizzis so I didn’t feel to out of place and we made a real impression on all the other rather casually attired diners. Had a delicious pizza and a couple of tasty beers to get me nicely warmed up for Joey and the Jivers afterwards. A good band and wall to
wall dancing made for a great evening even though Caroline didn’t make it until late on, having been to see Saints draw 0-0
with local rivals Bournemouth in a evening kick off game. She reckons it was a good game although it was still billed last on Match of the Day!
Must go, the potters are going to be one man down in a minute and we can’t slow down the machine at this time of year. Pre-Easter week coming up so everyone’s going to be really busy. We will try and get all orders away before Friday but we are working Friday and Saturday so there may still be a few deliveries still left to do on Friday, so please bear with us, we will be doing our best. The earlier orders are with us the better, as usual but we will always try to accommodate any late entries if we can.
Availability highlights
Masses of delicate pale blue flowers of Veronica gentanoides are on the way. Lots of bud on chunky plants.
Growth is bursting forth and spring is in the air. Stock is flying out in the nice run of weather, so just hoping we don’t run out! Monster plants with a mass of bud on show on the Ajuga Burgundy Glow.
Verbascum Phoeniceum Hybrids have thrust out their flower stems, with a mix of colours to follow.
Primula japonica Millers Crimson are just beginning to show their bud in the crown, they won’t take long to shoot away. Subtle white flowers with a blue flush opening on the Symphytum Wisley Blue, lovely strong plants.
Camassia Cusickii are show stong buds now, the other varieties will be close behind, just a few left.
The snakes head lily (Fritillaria) are produced their delightful flowers, just a few left. Salvia’s are coming into bud now, short and chunky, no colour yet but full of promise. Really chunky Lupins and Digitalis are looking great, full of vigour and promise.
Allium christophii and Purple Sensation are showing early bud now, three in a pot and looking fine.
Thalictrum flower stems really do thrust up (they are doing it now!), eventually getting quite tall, producing delightful flowers. The ever popular Erysimum Bowles Mauve are already showing bud and the odd splash of colour. Bud also present on the last few lovely Red Jep.
The first buds are appearing on a batch of very nice Catanache. Don’t hang about they won’t last long.
Tulips are all showing bud now but not many in stock so don’t hang about.
Brunnera variegate are fattening up quickly and looking cracking, the delightful forget-me-not blue flowers are appearing now. The short orange varieties of Geum Cooky and Koi are flushing into growth nicely, and have flower shoots and buds too. There are a few flower shoots appearing on the Lady Stratheden and Mrs Bradshaw too.
The spring flowering Euphorbia are coming into their own now, lovely plants just watch out for the irritating milky sap.
Vibrant green and lush foliage of Doronicum Little Leo is bursting forth and the sunshine yellow flowers are now appearing. Some of the Aquilegia varieties are thrusting up their flower buds, they won’t be around long.
A lovely flush of bud on the Heuchera Firefly looking strong.
Spring must be here, most of the Hostas have all suddenly shot out of the compost. A lovely range and all beginning to show off their wide variety of leaf designs.
Although not in flower yet the Iris sibirica are proving popular, but don’t miss out on the variety Butter and Sugar which are a delightful pale yellow and white rather than the usual blue and purples.
Have a good week and Easter weekend from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.
Monday 3 April 2017
Mobile and Hairy
Morning all,
Slightly damp on and off today but Sunday looks fine, another good day for lightening the gardeners wallets.
It was a great week, really busy and everything got there in the end. We managed to squeeze in collecting the new van from Lincoln and took that out on a couple of runs which was exciting. Slight embarrassment when we arrived to pick it up and our driver spotted that they had not mounted the loading ramp in the back. Mild panic when they claimed to know nothing about it (our salesperson was off that day!) but it was found in the yard and luckily they had a mounting plate that fitted, so it only took an hour or so to get it in place. It has all sorts of mod-cons, built in sat-nav and reversing camera, and beepers going off every other minute for something. It is a low loading van and has air suspension which can be lowered to make loading trolleys much easier, very useful. The lightweight ramp and body mean that the payload is much better and the modern model and design should mean more fuel efficiency too. We will do some sums and see. On the subject of saving energy our March electric use was approximately 41.1% down on the same month last year, despite doing more irrigation (water pumps) thanks to the new LED lights and super efficient lab store and cold room. It goes some way to compensate for the rest of my family who seem to be jetting off on holidays without a second thought! First swallow spotted here on Thursday evening, it flew about for a few minutes then disappeared, probably passing through but exciting none the less.
I have to go now, a day’s potting has left me with no time again and I am due at a spring ball at the guildhall shortly (jive band) and in my state it takes a lot of scrubbing, shaving and tweasering to get me remotely presentable so no time to mess about.
Availability highlights
Growth is bursting forth, spring is in the air and the sap is rising.
Camassia Cusickii are show stong buds now, the other varieties will be close behind. The snakes head lily (Fritillaria) are produced their delightful flowers, looking great with plenty to come as spring rolls on. Polemonium Heavenly Scent are looking great, attractive burnished foliage and with the first flower shoots and bud showing. Don’t hang about on this one, just a few left, we have our spring crop of Lathyrus verus in bud and showing colour. Dicentra spectabalis have burst through, flower buds and colour already showing well. Primula japonica Millers Criimson are just beginning to show their bud in the crown, they won’t take long to shoot away. Salvia’s are coming into bud now, short and chunky, no colour yet but full of promise. Really chunky Lupins and Delphiniums are looking great, full of vigour and promise. Allium Purple Rain and Purple Sensation are showing early short bud now, three in a pot and looking fine.
The ever popular Erysimum Bowles Mauve are already showing bud and the odd splash of colour. Bud also present on the lovely Red Jep. Monster plants with a mass of bud on show on the Ajuga Burgundy Glow.
Tulips are all showing bud now but not many in stock so don’t hang about. Brunnera are fattening up quickly and looking cracking, the delightful forget-me-not blue flowers are appearing now. The short orange varieties of Geum Cooky and Koi are flushing into growth nicely, and have flower shoots and buds too. The spring flowering Euphorbia are coming into their own now, lovely plants just watch out for the irritating milky sap.The Pulmonaria are coming on well with bud and delightful pale blue flowers on the Opal and Mageste all looking smart with bud and colour showing well.
Vibrant green and lush foliage of Doronicum Little Leo is bursting forth and the sunshine yellow flowers are now appearing. Just a few Narcissus WP Milner left in bud with a few of their petit pale yellow flowers showing off nicely. A real spring beauty. Narcissus Thalia is a late bloomer and the buds of the pretty white flowers are now showing. Some of the Aquilegia varieties are thrusting up their flower buds, they won’t be around long. A lovely flush of bud on the Heuchera Firefly looking strong. The dainty Foam Flower (Tiarella) has burst into growth with their first flush of buds well on show. Spring must be here, most of the Hostas have all suddenly shot out of the compost. A lovely range, with Sea Thunder and Winsome the earliest to unravel their first leaves, most of the others are still at the ‘candle’ stage but looking chunky and full of promise.
Have a good week from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.
Slightly damp on and off today but Sunday looks fine, another good day for lightening the gardeners wallets.
It was a great week, really busy and everything got there in the end. We managed to squeeze in collecting the new van from Lincoln and took that out on a couple of runs which was exciting. Slight embarrassment when we arrived to pick it up and our driver spotted that they had not mounted the loading ramp in the back. Mild panic when they claimed to know nothing about it (our salesperson was off that day!) but it was found in the yard and luckily they had a mounting plate that fitted, so it only took an hour or so to get it in place. It has all sorts of mod-cons, built in sat-nav and reversing camera, and beepers going off every other minute for something. It is a low loading van and has air suspension which can be lowered to make loading trolleys much easier, very useful. The lightweight ramp and body mean that the payload is much better and the modern model and design should mean more fuel efficiency too. We will do some sums and see. On the subject of saving energy our March electric use was approximately 41.1% down on the same month last year, despite doing more irrigation (water pumps) thanks to the new LED lights and super efficient lab store and cold room. It goes some way to compensate for the rest of my family who seem to be jetting off on holidays without a second thought! First swallow spotted here on Thursday evening, it flew about for a few minutes then disappeared, probably passing through but exciting none the less.
I have to go now, a day’s potting has left me with no time again and I am due at a spring ball at the guildhall shortly (jive band) and in my state it takes a lot of scrubbing, shaving and tweasering to get me remotely presentable so no time to mess about.
Availability highlights
Growth is bursting forth, spring is in the air and the sap is rising.
Camassia Cusickii are show stong buds now, the other varieties will be close behind. The snakes head lily (Fritillaria) are produced their delightful flowers, looking great with plenty to come as spring rolls on. Polemonium Heavenly Scent are looking great, attractive burnished foliage and with the first flower shoots and bud showing. Don’t hang about on this one, just a few left, we have our spring crop of Lathyrus verus in bud and showing colour. Dicentra spectabalis have burst through, flower buds and colour already showing well. Primula japonica Millers Criimson are just beginning to show their bud in the crown, they won’t take long to shoot away. Salvia’s are coming into bud now, short and chunky, no colour yet but full of promise. Really chunky Lupins and Delphiniums are looking great, full of vigour and promise. Allium Purple Rain and Purple Sensation are showing early short bud now, three in a pot and looking fine.
The ever popular Erysimum Bowles Mauve are already showing bud and the odd splash of colour. Bud also present on the lovely Red Jep. Monster plants with a mass of bud on show on the Ajuga Burgundy Glow.
Tulips are all showing bud now but not many in stock so don’t hang about. Brunnera are fattening up quickly and looking cracking, the delightful forget-me-not blue flowers are appearing now. The short orange varieties of Geum Cooky and Koi are flushing into growth nicely, and have flower shoots and buds too. The spring flowering Euphorbia are coming into their own now, lovely plants just watch out for the irritating milky sap.The Pulmonaria are coming on well with bud and delightful pale blue flowers on the Opal and Mageste all looking smart with bud and colour showing well.
Vibrant green and lush foliage of Doronicum Little Leo is bursting forth and the sunshine yellow flowers are now appearing. Just a few Narcissus WP Milner left in bud with a few of their petit pale yellow flowers showing off nicely. A real spring beauty. Narcissus Thalia is a late bloomer and the buds of the pretty white flowers are now showing. Some of the Aquilegia varieties are thrusting up their flower buds, they won’t be around long. A lovely flush of bud on the Heuchera Firefly looking strong. The dainty Foam Flower (Tiarella) has burst into growth with their first flush of buds well on show. Spring must be here, most of the Hostas have all suddenly shot out of the compost. A lovely range, with Sea Thunder and Winsome the earliest to unravel their first leaves, most of the others are still at the ‘candle’ stage but looking chunky and full of promise.
Have a good week from all at Kirton Farm Nurseries.
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