Keep Gardening over the Winter !

I was going to reply on the existing Winter post but I think that a new thread is appropriate. The other thread focuses on what other things you can do whereas I believe in gardening throughout the Winter.If you haven't already mentioned the Winter to your clients then it's a bit late but better late than never. Firstly always point out how short the Winter season is. I will probably be grass cutting & leaf collecting into December & the new season starts March/April so the Winter is about 3 to 4 months, lets say 14 weeks. So for a typical fortnightly visit you only need to find 7 visit's worth of work. This means that you have only got 7 visits to get the garden prepared for Spring. If you have made the mistake of scheduling weekly visits then you may lose some work. This is why I insist on fortnightly & nothing else.Whenever my clients mention something, that I know could be done in the Winter, I always suggest that this is the best time & I make a list. About now I start reminding them of the Winter work. Every time that I take on a maintenance client it is only on the basis of regular visits all year. In fact when I moved here I used the "A great looking garden all year round" as a feature in adverts.If a client suggest that nothing will need to be done over the Winter remember that you are the expert not him. I usually give an incredulous look & tell him that Winter is an essential time. Because there is not so much maintenance Winter provides the ideal time for some creative work like redesigning beds & borders. I often say that Winter is when I can get some real gardening done.In the past I have had the odd client who has said that I am not going to be needed over the Winter. I point out that I will have to fill the slot that was theirs & that the new client will carry on all year - therefore I will not be able to start their garden again in the Spring. I make them sound like the exception & that every knows gardening is an all year pursuit. Most end up asking me to continue through the Winter.By minimising Winter & emphasising all the things that can & need to be done you can keep working. I will & I pretty much always have. So over to you lot for some Winter gardening ideas.

I have no concerns about customers checking me out. If we believe that customers are doing this then there is no point in using these forums. Maybe we need a forum where we can discuss trade issues confidentially.

I have been in the industry for 20 years. I have all the work that I need & I haven't advertised for 8 years so I must be doing something right. I believe every word of my post & my clients know that I will use Winter visits to improve the garden.

When I moved here I was in a difficult situation in that all the local landscapers literally closed from December to March. I used this to my advantage. I believe that the majority of clients want their garden to look good all year.

In the past I would talk to resident committees & explain the need for Winter work. Many agreed & as a result, the management companies changed the agreement to include Winter visits.

There is another thread here discussing the general low opinion of gardeners. Other professions assert themselves & have confidence in their knowledge. We should be no different.

Replies

David Cox August 31, 2010 at 9:23pm

I totaly agree - After searching the forums this summer I've adopted a similar approach. For this winter, spread over the usual fortnightly visits, I will be re-arranging several gardens to take advantage of various Sun Traps, focal points etc, which were previously wasted. This will also significantly improve the gardens.
I also find that once the customer finds that you know what you are doing, and that the winter work is vital, they are even more inclined to share (read: boast) about the quality of the work their gardener is doing.
Peter Davis September 2, 2010 at 6:34pm

I just think that as professional gardeners we should be positive about Winter gardening & not get drawn into alternative employment.
Peter Davis September 2, 2010 at 6:51pm

I have no concerns about customers checking me out. If we believe that customers are doing this then there is no point in using these forums. Maybe we need a forum where we can discuss trade issues confidentially.

I have been in the industry for 20 years. I have all the work that I need & I haven't advertised for 8 years so I must be doing something right. I believe every word of my post & my clients know that I will use Winter visits to improve the garden.

When I moved here I was in a difficult situation in that all the local landscapers literally closed from December to March. I used this to my advantage. I believe that the majority of clients want their garden to look good all year.

In the past I would talk to resident committees & explain the need for Winter work. Many agreed & as a result, the management companies changed the agreement to include Winter visits.

There is another thread here discussing the general low opinion of gardeners. Other professions assert themselves & have confidence in their knowledge. We should be no different.
PRO

Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd September 2, 2010 at 7:15pm

I quite agree with this thread and use the winter months to tackle jobs in gardens that there isn't usually time for in the rest of the year.

This includes but is not restricted to creation/removal of flower beds, winter pruning, planting (as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged), cutting in new edges with a half moon, pressure washing, re-felting shed roofs, fence repairs/construction etc etc.

-Nick
David Grimes September 2, 2010 at 7:32pm

What happens if we have a winter like last year
Don't really want to be cutting shrubs with sharp frosts
and treading on the frozen grass
yes agree some things can be done

i do winter gritting and can earn more in winter then we can in summer
Peter Davis September 2, 2010 at 8:29pm

Last year was an exception. Winters are getting milder but it does depend on your location. I am on a par with Devon/Cornwall so not usually that cold but pretty wet.
PRO

Jeff Bradley September 2, 2010 at 8:40pm

Because of time constraints during summer, winter can definitely be time to move from 'maintaining' a garden to 'improving' a garden. As an idea: things like installing edging, such as EverEdge (I know Ofer on this site offers a similar product) can help not only with winter income, but can really neaten a garden up and can make maintenance easier in season. Also looking at topping up chippings on driveways and paths can be a mud free days work.
David Grimes September 2, 2010 at 8:42pm

Hi Peter
I am based in Norwich

Peter Davis said:
Last year was an exception. Winters are getting milder but it does depend on your location. I am on a par with Devon/Cornwall so not usually that cold but pretty wet.