Forum

Replies

• PRO

  Seth Burgess September 15, 2017 at 7:48pm

  Yes there is. I work at two large estates and at one they have a guy who does the veg and borders and a bit of spraying/leaf clearing/pruning (although we both do this)  and at the other I wish I could find someone who'd be willing to just do the beds.
  • 

    PAUL > Seth Burgess September 15, 2017 at 7:53pm

    Me too
  • 

    Amy Partridge > Seth Burgess September 15, 2017 at 7:54pm

    Where abouts are you?
    • PRO

      Seth Burgess > Amy Partridge September 15, 2017 at 8:01pm

      Somerset so a bit far for you.
• 

  PETER C September 15, 2017 at 8:23pm

  I have been working in garden maintenance as a sole trader for over 25 years doing the type of work you have described. I have never advertised and never been out of work. I haven't owned a mower for at least 15 years.
  Go on give it a go! There is plenty of work out there
  Peter
  • 

    Amy Partridge > PETER C September 15, 2017 at 8:30pm

    Thank you for your confidence
• 

  Andrew Midgley September 15, 2017 at 8:57pm

  Amy, there is a real shortage of gardeners willing to do border maintenance such as weeding and general border maintenance such as planting out and supporting perennials etc. You should emphasise your credentials when scouting for work. I am a former NT head Gardener and there is plenty of work for skilled gardeners. Price your skills accordingly as there are plenty of gardeners who can carry out a mowing and a hedge cutting service. The vast majority of my customers own large gardens that require a Gardener with plantmanship skills. Also be prepared to try your hands at other things too. Good luck!
• PRO

  Harry@VWGS September 16, 2017 at 8:35am

  Hi Amy, I am in Surrey and can say 100% if you know your way around a garden border then you will get plenty of work, there are a huge amount of gardeners in our area that just want to cut lawns and hedges but very few who have the knowledge to take on technical gardens with Herbaceous borders etc, personally I love it. The horror stories I've heard from clients about "Pro gardeners" trying to fluff their way around the garden when they don't have a clue what they are doing is scary. Good luck, it will be super...
• 

  Amy Partridge September 16, 2017 at 11:10am

  Thanks for all your advice. Would you charge hourly or per job? I understand I may have to try new things but if I can get off the ground by doing things I love and know it would give me confidence to grow
  • 

    Andrew Midgley > Amy Partridge September 16, 2017 at 7:31pm

    Steer away from hourly rates if you can. Factor in fuel cost to job and fuel used if lawn cutting etc. Also factor in waste disposal but encourage your customer to compost it on site. There are many posts on here concerning hourly rate v day rate. I charge a flat day rate for 8 hours which include my lunch break and a quick coffee break in the morning and afternoon.