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  Tom January 28, 2010 at 2:11pm

  it all depends on what name you want to make for yourself.
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  Graeme @ BGS January 28, 2010 at 2:50pm

  If it's the company I am thinking off and it has the word Green and a body part in the name then they have been doing this for a few years.
  
  It is my understanding that most of the branches don't undertake scarifying etc. in house but this is passed over to a regional office to schedule and undertake. Round this way they start in December!! I believe it is more to do with trying to schedule everyone one and to generate income over the winter period.
  
  I must admit a couple of years ago I had a client saying that the said company wanted to scarify on Xmas Eve!! Thankfully it managed to stop them.
  
  In answer to your question Martin, I would bring some treatments forward subject to weather conditions and only if the client is aware of any risks etc..
• PRO

  Phil Voice January 28, 2010 at 3:29pm

  I agree with the advice thus far...be cautious, especially with scarifying - I have never had any problem with spiking in the winter and I would apply sulphate of iron if the weather was wet and relatively mild.
  
  Anything that damages a semi-dormant rootzone though, should be handled with care.
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    Classic Gardens > Phil Voice January 28, 2010 at 4:16pm

    My thoughts aswell
    
    We live on the coast and very rarely see a hard frost. Once covered with a good top dress there should be no problems.
    
    Your bang on with the name graeme how did you guess :)
    
    Philip Voice said:

    I agree with the advice thus far...be cautious, especially with scarifying - I have never had any problem with spiking in the winter and I would apply sulphate of iron if the weather was wet and relatively mild.Anything that damages a semi-dormant rootzone though, should be handled with care.
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  Phil Voice January 28, 2010 at 5:12pm

  Please be careful guys - it's not a problem asking questions about timing and procedure but we must be careful when inferring or implying something about other companies.
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  Gary RK January 28, 2010 at 5:36pm

  Hi,
  
  We came up against this approach, but as we had a good dialogue with the clients we won the 'battle', especially when one client suggested the 'boss' came around for a chat with her 'qualified gardeners' (did make me smile that bit). We consequently took over that job (and others) and ending up provide all their landscaping/gardening needs.
  
  Also, we employed an ex-franchise employee for a year once. We got an interesting insight into that business area I can tell you !
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  Graeme @ BGS January 28, 2010 at 6:02pm

  Funny but I received this Email only yesterday for the reasons already stated......
  
  Are you able to better the terrible customer care that I have had from NNNNNN? Do you operate in the postcode area for XXNN NXX?
  
  
  If so,I would be grateful if someone could contact me so I can transfer my business from NNNNNN to yourselves. We are looking for lawn care treatments (scarification, hollow tining and weed and feed).
  
  And it is a very large garden!! Happy days
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  Andrew Goss January 28, 2010 at 10:12pm

  Anyone had sight of their rates for this season ?
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  Andrew Goss January 29, 2010 at 9:18am

  Sorry Steve I meant the price list of these franchisees ........ just wondered what they are charging for their *services* these days as it's been awhile since I last found out . A couple of my clients dropped them as they thought that they were expensive for the results attained ;-)
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  Anthony Toop January 29, 2010 at 11:31am

  Had a leaflet from 'Gangrene digit' drop through the door just last week and my van was on the drive at the time!
  
  No actual prices listed but 'treatments from £14' on the front.
  
  I see one of their vans on an almost daily basis in my area! they do the grass treatments for one of my clients where i just mow every 2 wks but i have to say, to date the guy has done a pretty good job. If its the same guy i see in the van i guess its because he is middle aged perhaps with some experience and not the usual youngen hairing about in a spanking new merc van!
  
  
  
  Andrew Goss said:

  Sorry Steve I meant the price list of these franchisees ........ just wondered what they are charging for their *services* these days as it's been awhile since I last found out . A couple of my clients dropped them as they thought that they were expensive for the results attained ;-)