Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Monday 5 December 2022

Pre-Loved Lily Sale.

 This has to be the best sale I have ever been to.

The NZ Bulb Nursery at Feilding had their lily bulb sale on Saturday, Hugh took the trailer and we arrived at about 7.30 a.m. I promised him a cafe breakfast afterwards, but we decided to go straight home, so today had a lovely morning tea at Whanganui. A small way to repay him, but did go shopping afterwards, to a BIG store.

The gates were to open at 8 a.m. by that time the cars were arriving so quickly, and when the gates were opened, the first lot of people rushed in, like it was a BIG store Boxing Day Sale.
I strolled in, according to my mature age, was given a sheet with flower colour photos, and names, and this was printed in a map form.

There were pallets with crates piled high, and a lot of customers seemed to know exactly what they wanted. Staff were so helpful. Photos courtesy of NZ Bulbs.



This was a screen shot of the time-lapse video, can you see the man with a brown jersey holding a crate high up? I think I am at the back of that lot of crates,White hair and dark purple jacket, but then, I could be mistaken as there were so many there.



  After I had chosen 14 crates, the young  gentleman and lady  staff members loaded them onto a trolley, manhandled that out to the road and loaded them into the trailer. The young couple  from near Hawkes Bay who had loaded their little car to the top...had already said they would help, as they knew how difficult it was to steer the trolley over the metal.

So we, and others, will have White Christmas, deep red, deep yellow, pale pink and deep pink flowers next season. I left the orange ones for everyone else. 

And... they have another sale in January. Hugh said, " No, once was enough" as he waited so patiently, a friend wants more, so we will go in her huge wagon.

Some stay here, some for my friend, and some  going to the far south next year, with a drop off to a new friend in Waimate.

Quotation of the day, author unknown

" You will miss the sale bargains if you stay safely at home"

Greetings from Jean.



12 comments:

Susan Heather said...

How wonderful. I bet you were like a "kid in a lolly shop".

Kate said...

Sounds like you have some work ahead of you. Enjoy your flowers.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

The sale sounds great. 14 crates sounds like a lot to me, you will be busy. I am sure next season they will all look lovely with all the pretty colors. Take care, enjoy your day. Have a great new week ahead.

Marie Smith said...

You will be bloomin’ for sure!

Carol Mattingly Photography said...

I had no idea you were such a bulb fan. You racked up lady. And poor Hugh, can't say as I blame him for not wanting to do it all over again. Carol

Jane said...

Wow! I never heard of anything like that. How do you plant so many lilies? Our big box store usually offers lily bulbs in bags of 30 or so, but I couldn't find any this Fall. They must have all been down your way! Happy planting!

Hugs
Jane

Nancy J said...

To answer some queries... these are not all for me, I will probably get one bulb from each crate, approximately 16 to 20 a crate, and the others are for daughters and friends. This is probably the largest bulb supplier in the North Island, over 2 hectares or more than 5 acres of land, dedicated plastic houses, and rows and rows of dahlias, freesias, and more. The empty crates tell their own story, of how many bulbs would be planted each season.

Jenn Jilks said...

What an adventure! I am so happy seeing it is warm somewhere!
I've just gotten bulbs for indoors, and have to figure out what to do with them.
Take good care! Happy to read of your adventure!

Lori Skoog said...

Gary would have loved being there with you! Glad you explained that not all those crates were for you as planting all of them would take forever...not to mention all the bending. Sounds like you two had a nice little adventure!

Mystic Quilter said...

What a busy day Jean!! he sale are looks huge but to get a hold of those bulbs was such a good move! Hopefully we'll see the results of your planting these at some time when they're flowering.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Wow, you are going to have a riot of color this year! You have a lot of planting to do.

Tanya said...

You are going to have a beautiful garden!