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  Kirsty Blair November 19, 2009 at 1:51pm

  I'm sitting inside not getting wet for a change and getting on with the designs I should of done when I was too busy working outside - so for me its working out well.
  
  I know what you mean about the rota though - I have resigned myself to the fact that I am only human and there are only so many days in the week available for work. And if things don't get done this week they will have to be done next week - people do understand if you have to delay due to weather. I used to hate putting people off but its just a fact of gardening life I think.
  
  I just keep telling myself that work will wait - family & life won't!
  
  I also use this time to keep up to date on new stuff or machinery etc or catch up with other businesses in my area - spot of networking never hurts.
  
  I know I could carry on and get soaked right through but the ground doesn't like it, I might get struck down with flu, have tp put the damage right in the spring and be even further behind!
  
  Winters the time for recharging the batteries isn't it? the odd day/week off will be good for you and it looks like your very professional - even turning up when its chucking it!
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  Graeme @ BGS November 19, 2009 at 4:55pm

  I know the feeling only too well. Whilst we can get on some lawns when very wet by switching to lighter 4 wheel mowers there are just some lawns that you wouldn't want to or can't cut!.
  
  It throws the rotas out big time as it is a hell of a job to catch up one or two days in the remainding days of the week. I do howver try to keep Mondays and Fridays slightly less booked out so it does help with rescheduling to a degree but then this has a knock on effect with other jobs!
  
  Worst still is the impact to cash flow if the clients are pay per cut!
  
  You can't feel guilty its just a fact of life and at the end of the day it isn't life or death. Thankfully the really bad rain days haven't impacted us that much this season when compared to previous years but tomorrow morning looks interesting!!
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  Dan Frazer Gardening November 19, 2009 at 5:41pm

  I've got the cold but I've been out all day in it and got soaked! Been clearing up leaves from a gravelled area, tidying the garden storage room and running the mower high over some of the lawn to lift leaves. Made me realise how mossy the lawn on that property is (I see some spring lawn treatment being recommended - 1.5 acros of it).
  
  Question is, will I dry out in time to put the clothes back on to cut back a rhodie tomorrow?
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  Classic Gardens November 19, 2009 at 5:48pm

  What about the mess you make on lawns? I understand you think the world of the etesia but I've tried them and they arnt the lightest of machines surely on a waterlogged lawn the lawn will look like a train track.
  
  Pro Gard said:

  Mostly I work on regardless. Grass cutting I never stop for, the etesia doesn't scuff and doesn't block so I carry on regardless. Same for trees and hedges. With the amount of leaves down I'm currently running a very busy schedule.From the outset my customers are told that I work in the wet, I work to a fixed schedule and simply can't and will not cancel work.
  
  Only exception being that I wont do any planting out if its heavy rain or just after heavy rain as its a waste of time. Ive had to ree schedule one day this week..... was due to be planting out shrubs. This is only the third day this year lost to rain!!
  
  Any lost days I catch up on a Saturday.
  
  My customers accept that 'I' make the decision if I'm working or not, any cancellations i charge for in full if less than 2 weeks notice as per my terms..... only had to do this once.
  
  The fact I'm recommendation only helps as the people i work for known that I'm busy with a waiting list so are just glad to have me.
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  Graeme @ BGS November 19, 2009 at 6:00pm

  I use the Pro 46PBE in the wet and for the start of the season it doesn't cause any major problems except on the worst of flooded lawns. It's the pay per cut clients who moan the most and turn you away but I believe it is more for them to save a bit of money! Next year we will not have any regular pay per cut clients they will all be switched over to 21 or 30 cuts and pay by monthly standing order.
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  Peter Davis November 19, 2009 at 7:21pm

  You guys are so lucky we have had 3 days of virtually non stop heavy rain. Many roads are closed. With new maintenance clients I will always turn up in the rain. If they are out I will leave a note to make sure that they know I have called. Especially now clients will be only to pleased to avoid having to pay for a visit. I make it absolutely clear that I will be there rain or shine.
  
  One advantage with lots of rain is that it makes you keep a mental list of rain jobs as you know that you will need them. There is usually something you can do that is a bit sheltered. Also for me it depends so much on the layout of the garden. For example when it's blowing a gale & pouring I will do a town job rather than an exposed seaside garden.
  
  I also make a point of varying which days per week or fortnight that I visit a customer so that I always have the flexibility to change it.
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  Dan Frazer Gardening July 11, 2012 at 7:13am

  I'm finding the rain a bit depressing now. I am also having to put work back and back because of it. The gloomy skies are giving me sun-withdrawal symptoms and the other factor is a couple of machine break-downs adding to the grief.

  I am off out today, at least I can do weeding and litter-picking plus a bit of shrub-trimming if needed, but I know I will have to go back to sites to finish the lawns.

  How are you coping? Any tips?
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  Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens July 11, 2012 at 7:27am

  Machinery breakdowns this end too - thankfully fixed without too much trouble!

  We have told our lawn cut customers that if they don't want their lawns cut in the rain (and most don't) then we can't stick to specific days and all are happy with that. All are within 10 mins drive so when we get a dry day are just working through them. I am glad we only have a small percentage of lawn cuts though. Was talking to another gardener yesterday who rang a customer 15 miles away to see if it was OK to come yesterday am, he drove there and it started raining and she sent him away again - he was livid! She told him rain was due to stop at 6.30 pm and to come back then. He needs the cash so he had to..

  On the positive, and its hard to find these miserable days we are getting asked to do lots of gutter clears!
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  Dave Lockney July 11, 2012 at 7:56am

  Another torrential rain day in the north east. Have now abandoned trying to catch up and will just have to work harder on next scheduled visits. New customers I can't give a firm start date. Saturday/Sunday look better weather days though. Got to agree that permanent gloom is getting me down. Constant start/stop weather is challenging.
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  Classic Gardens July 11, 2012 at 7:57am

  Last year I invested in a pro 51 and atm its paying off. Its killing my arms though as the controls are not the most comfortable to use and Iam having to put the smaller jobs off which although my customers are ok with it won't last for long.
  My machinery is also suffering with, which had to be wet weather related.