The Plant Friends Journal - 007
Hey plant friends,
Has anyone else stumbled into a bit of a ‘meh’ period in the garden? I swear it’s the weather. After blazing sunshine through most of June, it now feels like a confused October. The wind is giving my front sunflowers a proper stress test — not ideal.
But honestly, that ‘meh’ feeling runs a little deeper this year. I realised over the weekend that I’ve been flat-out selling plants since Friday 21st March — nearly every weekend, plus keeping on top of online orders. And yet… it’s only June.
If you’ve followed Plant Friends for a while, you’ll know this time of year normally brings a shift. People go from buying loads of annuals to gradually leaning into perennials. In previous years, I’ve loved that change — because perennials, quite frankly, are less work. They’re usually sold in the same pot they were grown in. No repotting hundreds of seedlings. No trays cluttering up every surface. And the best bit? The real plant people come out — the ones who drive miles for something special (you know who you are!).
This year, though? Totally different.
Our garden is basically a small-scale plant facility now… just not a very efficient one. And I’ve somehow given myself three massive projects to complete before the end of summer:
- Build a propagation bench in the polytunnel
- Set up a houseplant grow room in the shed
- Install a full automatic watering system
Sounds manageable on paper, but let me break that down:
- The watering system needs testing across plant groups — too much or too little water, and I’m literally throwing income in the bin.
- The propagation bench needs heat cables, timber cut to size, and careful positioning — plus testing so I don’t cook the seedlings.
- The houseplant grow room is basically two grow tents with lighting, heating, and shelving. A proper setup, not a quick job. Plus that word again, testing! None of this is going to work first time.
All of this while still packing and shipping online orders, maintaining stock, and, of course, parenting. Oh — and we’ve got a family holiday in July and another in August (both sounded like great ideas at the time, what type of plant person books holidays in the summer 😅).
So maybe it’s not the weather. Maybe it’s not the plants. Maybe it’s just the sheer scale of what I’ve taken on finally catching up with me. The panic is starting to set in, but I'll manage, I usually do!
Moral of today’s newsletter?
Be careful what you wish for!
See you next Monday!