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Founded in 2008. The Landscape Juice Network (LJN) is the largest and fastest growing professional landscaping and horticultural association in the United Kingdom.

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Introducing Myself

Hey all,

My names Ashley iv been browsing the forum for a couple of weeks and thought I would join so I could get involved with some of the threads.

A little about myself, I first got involved with the gardening/landscaping in 2010 when I left university (with an animation degree) and I couldnt find a job anywhere so to keep myself busy I helped the family with there gardens (for free) started to enjoy it so I decided to use the job centre for what there ment to be used for, I signed on so they could find me work involving gardening etc. In March 2011 they found me a 6 month part time job with Packwood House (National Trust) I went for an interview and got the job, I learnt so much about garden maintenance, plants and forestry. After the 6 months had finished I stayed volunteering once a week to keep learning (free eduction cant pass on that) while working at a Manor House.

Now for the past 5 months iv been working for myself full time around my local areas (paid work this time) and all I can say im finding it hard to fit everybody in, which I guess is a good thing :). Hoping it doesnt die down over winter.

Hoping to expand my bussiness in the future to some commercial work over the next couple years, its going to be hard but it be worth it in the end.

 

Ashley (A.T.M Gardening)

 

 

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  • Hi  Ashley, looks like you have got off to a great start. Its funny how people with the right attitude just always seem to find work no matter what, when millions of others just look for someone to blame isn't it ?

    How do you feel about your animation now ? Would you take a job in the industry if one came up or do you feel you have found the true you now ?

    Best regards, mike.

  • PRO
    Welcome Ashley, good to see you grab your opportunity and joined the vocation that is self employment. Winter will be hard for you as a new start up but push yourself through it. Plenty of support on here. Good luck with your venture :-)
  • Welcome Ashley

    It does not matter where you come from, it's where you are going to that counts.

    Two rules of horticulture, as follows:

    1.  LJN is the best network for those within our industry, good choice!

    2.  As of tomorrow I have 32 years in Horticulture, and still learning.  So if anyone ever tells you that they know all of the answers, they don't, for nobody does. 

    Wish you well.

  • PRO

    Welcome to the bedlam

  • Thanks all for making me feel welcome.

    If a job came up in animation I wouldnt take the job, enjoy working outside and meeting new people plus theres better opportunity going down the route im on :).
     
    briggsandscrapem said:

    Hi  Ashley, looks like you have got off to a great start. Its funny how people with the right attitude just always seem to find work no matter what, when millions of others just look for someone to blame isn't it ?

    How do you feel about your animation now ? Would you take a job in the industry if one came up or do you feel you have found the true you now ?

    Best regards, mike.

  • PRO

    Clearly he's crossed over from the 'dark side'...feel the force Ashley ;-)...and Welcome !

  • From memory (which is declining) Bedlam was the slang for Bethlehem Hospital, which was a lunatic asylum in medieval London, moved to Barnet, which was then north of London, before being closed. Seems very apt...you have to be a lunatic to do what we do, but even more of one to want to do anything else!

    Welcome!
     
    John www.acegardenservices.co.uk said:

    I guess you are joking Robbie ? 

     - Bedlam = uproar and confusion. 

     Maybe uproar on occasions, but never confusion :)

    Robbie Lynn said:

    Welcome to the bedlam

  • Cool, winter can be an issue in your formative years so you have to put some serious hours in during the season. When you are established then winter is no problem and can be planned for even when employing staff. 

     At this early stage I feel  a slight change in your trading name might be appropriate to avoid any sniggering from filthy minded individuals :-)

    Ashley Meredith said:

    Thanks all for making me feel welcome.

    If a job came up in animation I wouldnt take the job, enjoy working outside and meeting new people plus theres better opportunity going down the route im on :).
     
    briggsandscrapem said:

    Hi  Ashley, looks like you have got off to a great start. Its funny how people with the right attitude just always seem to find work no matter what, when millions of others just look for someone to blame isn't it ?

    How do you feel about your animation now ? Would you take a job in the industry if one came up or do you feel you have found the true you now ?

    Best regards, mike.

  • A useful hint for winter is to put aside 20% of each summer months earnings to one side - and then pay it out over Dec and Jan - which tend to be the months when (I find) weather stops you getting the work done and slows down cash flow - As for work in Winter - once your summer diary is full - you will find customers always want one off jobs doing in winter, be it the cursed Hedge height reduction or fences repairing - then remind everyone that if they want a great spring flower display - the WORK needs to be done in Winter, no point asking for spring flowers in spring!

    briggsandscrapem said:

    Cool, winter can be an issue in your formative years so you have to put some serious hours in during the season. When you are established then winter is no problem and can be planned for even when employing staff. 

     At this early stage I feel  a slight change in your trading name might be appropriate to avoid any sniggering from filthy minded individuals :-)

  • There my initials, sort of a 5 min "quick need to think of a name". Iv just looked up the filthy meaning :-/ thats not good, I work mostly for elderly people hopefully they dont know what the filthy meaning is haha.


    briggsandscrapem said:

    Cool, winter can be an issue in your formative years so you have to put some serious hours in during the season. When you are established then winter is no problem and can be planned for even when employing staff. 

     At this early stage I feel  a slight change in your trading name might be appropriate to avoid any sniggering from filthy minded individuals :-)
     

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