Visiting expert Chris Reynolds

This week it has been our pleasure to work with the highly esteemed Curator of The Botanical Collection at Forestry Commission; Bedgebury Pinetum- Chris Reynolds.

Chris at work!

Chris is an expert in the conifer world and is a co-founder of the British Conifer Society- along with Jon Tate (owner of Lime Cross Nursery), as well as other conifer experts and enthusiasts.
Chris has been perfecting our pinetum using his pruning skills, and has really transformed it, he has been merciless and pruned back severely but as he is a professional his judgment is key and his green fingers will create more balanced growth and control vigour.

Thank you Chris we are honoured to have you on board this week.

Visit Bedgebury at; http://www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk/

The longest days of the year

The first days of summer have arrived despite the current climate suggesting otherwise, this symbolic period evokes many responses within us;  for the scientist within you this will mean that the earth’s semi axis in our hemisphere is tilted in the closest position possible towards the sun. The druid lurking within you might consider stroking Stonehenge sporting some thai dye or maybe just your mac in a pac. But what about the botanist within you ? Well, the warm March and April meant that the strawberries ripened earlier and were therefore exceptionally tasty due to the decrease in acid and increase in sugars, but what has mid-June brought us? Unfortunately rain and not much sun. So you might have noticed that some fruit and veg seem under developed, but do not fear because the sun is apparently scheduled for a reappearance next week. This means that the ground - newly replenished with liquid precipitation - will be perfect for planting, so inject some colour into your garden using Dalia’s, awaken your senses by planting herbs and lavender and enjoy your garden to the max throughout  these long summer days.

Hello and shop progression

So, spring is upon us.. daffodils, pink blossom, fluffy lambs and the arrival of our new shop and cafe. We need your thoughts and suggestions for our opening event that is happening at the beginning of May. We plant to host a varied day full of fun, entertainment, guest speakers and live music. So if you have any requests then please let us know.

Keep checking this page for updates and in-season products

Thank you to our team....

We want to thank everyone who has worked on the new building over the past few months... Everyone in the team has worked so so hard, we appreciate your efforts immensely. We had a little party on Friday to mark the dawning completion of the building, but mainly to express our gratitude to everyone that has made it possible. It's really a pretty massive project seemed light years from being finished back in the beginning, given the amount of stages that needed to be completed. However, through hard work and determination on everyone's part, the building is now close to completion and we are proud to say that it is a huge success and we are extremely happy with the outcome. As you can gather from the pictures there is still quite a lot to be done, but we will be open by the spring. We have so many exciting events planned, one of which is of course the grand opening... so please keep checking our blog and Facebook page to find out more details.

Jobs at Lime Cross Nursery

Wanted: Catering Manager with a passion for Home Baking/Baker-Manager

Location: East Sussex, BN27 4RS

Hours: Full time

Salary: 18000-19000 per annum

CompanyEstablished Plant Centre wants you for our new exciting venture.

We are after an enthusiastic person with a passion for homemade cakes and the ability to develop exciting seasonal menus from fresh local ingredients.

We always look for personality, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to ensure every customer has a fantastic experience every time.

Duties and responsibilities

• Ensuring customer satisfaction
• Management of team
• To ensure kitchen is self funding
• To be responsible for budget control
• To ensure all personal hygiene and environmental health regulations are adhered to
• To undertake Health and safety checks
• To undertake fire risk assessments
• To order catering supplies

Apply to: Att: Vicky Tate, Lime Cross Nursery, Herstmonceux, East Sussex, BN27 4RS. Or email to: vickytate@limecross.co.uk.

Windows

We have windows

Progression on the building front


Finally the weather has changed and the floor has been laid in our new building. The timber cladding is going up and the electrics and internal walls are making progress.

Christmas opening times

Christmas Opening times

Open up to Christmas Eve and closed till the 4th Jan 2011

We would like to apologise to anyone who has ventured out during the weekend and has found us closed. Due to the bad weather we have taken steps to close over some weekends. Also, on a few occasions we have closed early to allow our staff to get home safely. If in doubt please just give us a call.

Home grown Blue spruce and building work!

So the snow came and the builders went! however they are back and cracking on. Yesterday we saw the roof finished and half of the insulation cladding on. Although the whole project is behind due to the bad weather we will endeavor to open for our March deadline as yet I do not want to put a fixed, date and time on it, but we will do our best.

On another note......Are you after a Christmas tree with a difference? something that you can plant out when its finished its Christmas duty. Look no further, really really blue, Blue Spruce with a difference, yes they really are blue and very blue they are. Grown on our lovely nursery and grafted by Jon and Dave's fair hands. These plants have been grown for 5 years to make a Christmas tree for you. OK they are not your normal Christmas tree but hey we wants normal. Come and have a look and see what you think.

Building Work

After long and careful planning and many many months, the construction of the new shop and cafe is underway. The foundations are laid and at the beginning of this week the steel arrived. Progress has been quick and for first time the true dimensions of the building can be realised.

The exterior of the building will be clad with wooden tongue and groove slats. Inside there will be a large open shop area as you enter with a cafe to the rear of the building with an outside sitting area leading down to the wisteria walk way

Due to be open in early Spring of 2011 we hope that you will come and enjoy a coffee and some cake or light snack before browsing our large selection of trees, plants, shrubs and climbers. We are also hoping to get a license for the cafe so that you can enjoy a glass or two of wine under the wisteria canopy.

Future possible plans include various gardening work shops led by our knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff and tutored alfresco wine tastings.

There will be a guided tour video to follow shortly so please come back soon and we hope to see you for the grand opening in March