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About the Landscape Juice Network

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

LJN's professional business forum is unrivalled and open to anyone within within the UK landscape industry

LJN's Business Objectives Group (BOG) is for any Pro serious about building their business.

For the researching visitor there's a wealth of landscaping ideas, garden design ideas, lawn advice tips and advice about garden maintenance.

Search Results (4666)

Lawn cutting charges

Hi everyone,So here I am ready for the off on my new adventure as a professional gardener and suddenly getting stressy about what I charge people !!I have read all the previous postings which are all very helpful.The thing I am most concerned about i

Started by Sweetpea in Groundscare

20 Replies · Reply by Graeme @ BGS Aug 10, 2009

PRO

Scheduled site maintenance

Please accept my sincere apologies for not informing you of the scheduled maintenance by the Ning creators . Scheduled maintenance is common but it is usually swift and carried out whilst the majority of people are sleeping so there is not normally a

Started by Phil Voice

0 Replies

To draw or not to draw?

I would like to know how everyone goes about drawing up their plans these days? By hand or by CAD?Having come to garden design from an art background I have always prided myself on doing everything by hand. I really enjoy the process of drawing by ha

Started by Charlotte Noar in Design

13 Replies · Reply by Bo Cook May 31, 2013

decent lawnmower

Hi,I'm battling through websites and various advice from here and other sites re the best mower to get! when i started 15years ago i swore by Rover mowers but did get through three in 5years!! Then bought a John deere R52s which lasted 3years before

Started by choughman in Business

16 Replies · Reply by pete Jun 6, 2009

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Linking to other websites from comments and posts

Just a quick pointer as I've seen people looking to link to other websites in their forum comments and blog posts, which is great to see, but not making them live links. It is not too difficult to do, take a look over this piece from the archive - Li

Started by Craig McGinty in Marketing

1 Reply · Reply by Phil Voice Jan 29, 2009

Publicising Blog?

Hi again guysHoping to be a drain upon the more technically gifted here once more...I publish a blog on here most every week and am satisfied that it gets all the publicity it needs but I also publish a slightly more customer orientated blog at http:

Started by Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com

7 Replies · Reply by Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com Jan 29, 2009

Payments from Landscapers.....backhanders?

The Garden Design Journal published an angry letter from a landscaper in its Febuary edition, verging on the offensive.As a stimulous to debate on fees, commissions or, as he would have it, back-handers charged to and recieved from landscapers, I att

Started by Colin Elliott in Design

17 Replies

Recession hits the London gardening industry?

Is it just me or is every gardener/landscaper that I catch up with in London moaning about the lack of work out there? Three have told me this week that they're thinking of packing it in because the phone hasn't rung once this year with any enquiries

Started by Guy in Business

11 Replies · Reply by Graeme @ BGS Feb 1, 2009

Bloom or Doom

Well what a complete and utter mess the gloomy picture that we now see evident with countless reports of job losses well known high street retailers and Banks crashing an economy that is likened to that of a pernitious weed or the Hedera helix slowly

Started by Brett Bradford in Business

6 Replies · Reply by Big Dig Groundworks Jan 27, 2009

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Storms in South West France

Hello all This is a brief message to say that I am without electricity at the moment after the the most amazing storm. I am currently running a tiny generator ( ironically bought after the last great storm left us without power as we prepared to open

Started by Phil Voice

3 Replies · Reply by Phil Voice Jan 26, 2009

chainsaw protective clothing

hi all,it seems a technical area : catagories of safety protection ! see stihl catalogue........for full details ....catagories 0,1,2 &3 i can only find items that are 0 or 1.. and class A or C...........C seems to be all round better than A protecti

Started by Lawncare-4u.co.uk in Machinery

5 Replies · Reply by Lawncare-4u.co.uk Jan 25, 2009

Website help...please!

Good Evening Gang,Well I have read how all you helpul boys and girls have assisted new member Kerry with her website and as it happens I have been seeking a little advice myself which some of you technical boffins might be able to assist me with - wi

Started by Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com in Marketing

5 Replies · Reply by Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com Jan 24, 2009

Website designs

Websites can be a cheap and easy way to advertise and let customers know what you do. But there are some simple mistakes which can be made that will let you down.One big problem can be the use of colour. Once you have got visitors to your site do you

Started by dgeorgea

32 Replies

Conditions within tenders - social responsibility.

I guess this is mainly for those with their own companies.We are part of a wider community and we recognise that what we do has an impact on others.Part of our core values.In implementing this core value we have recently added to any new tender that

Started by dgeorgea

3 Replies

At last, a Hi from me

Well, I have been reading this forum for the past 7 months now and as I'm about to make a start on a small gardening business, I thought it was about time to say Hi to everyone.Hi Everyone.After being in I.T. for 8 years I had to leave due to stress

Started by Tony

8 Replies

JANUARY/FEBRUARY GARDENING CALENDAR

JANUARYThis a month all about preparation, ordering seeds, pruning for spring and ensuring everything is tidy. I will make these checklists easy to understand and in priority.GENERAL GARDEN MAINTENANCENo walking on frosted grass, as this will become

Started by Sefton Paine in Groundscare

1 Reply · Reply by Sefton Paine Jan 20, 2009

GRASS CUTTING CALENDAR (WANTED) - GARDENING CALENDAR (OFFERED)

Now that's a title.In my Landscape Juice Auction (Philip didn't know he offered this service) I would like to request and offer the above items...!!!Only Joking of course. With a little seriousness, do any contractors have a yearly grass cutting sche

Started by Sefton Paine in Groundscare

8 Replies · Reply by Craig McGinty Jan 29, 2009

Looking for advice

I am chair of a tenant management organisation and our gardener is retiring later this year. So we will be looking for a new gardener, I am trying to get an idea of the type of person we need to look for, and perhaps some indication of pay.Not wishin

Started by dgeorgea in Business

18 Replies · Reply by dgeorgea Jan 20, 2009

VEG PLOTS

Im interested in other landscapers views about pushing Veg plots.either as stardard shippable sizes or bespoke.with sainburys helping schools to create veg patches in school grounds, the rise of organic food and food prices plus the huge shortfall in

Started by Kev Thompson in Groundscare

9 Replies · Reply by Pip Howard Mar 23, 2010

Sub Contracting off the big boys

Unless you are a big boy yourself, I guess this doesn't apply to you, but if you in remote areas of the UK, there are possible opportunities available to you.Large companies use large companies as a general rule, ie Tesco's will use a national ground

Started by Sefton Paine

0 Replies

Turn Around Time?

How long do you all normally specify to clients before you will get back to them with something to view? And how many do you take on at any 1 time?I am a habitual procrastinator and rarely get designs back within a specified time - sometimes it's bec

Started by Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com in Design

7 Replies · Reply by Colin Elliott Jan 17, 2009

Staying positive

Hello everyone,I try to keep up to date with your forum, however, I am normally doing paperwork. However, I have turned to you guys and girls in my usual emergencies with gardening.Generally, I am pretty upbeat about the business and am seeing anothe

Started by Lisa Valentine in Business

9 Replies · Reply by Cat Fereday Jan 18, 2009

PRO

A heatwave is predicted for the summer of 2009

You might or might not be pleased to hear that this summer is predicted to be a heatwave and the fifth warmest on record. With warm weather brings many challenges for a gardener or anyone who runs a gardening of landscaping business. For the employer

Started by Phil Voice

2 Replies

PRO

Get the best out of your photographs

It is great to see that people are uploading photographic examples of their work, but a small observation, keep an eye on the actual title you give them.

By default the network will use the file name as the title, so that's why you will see names su

Started by Craig McGinty

3 Replies

getting commercial work

just a query. What is the best way to get commercial work. Grass cutting around factories etc. I have had some success writing directly to the manager/ owner. what does everyone else do?P.S advertising has never worked for any jobs we do. word of mou

Started by choughman

4 Replies · Reply by Classic Gardens Jan 10, 2009

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Landscape Juice newsletter

I know that most of you are regular readers of my Landscape Juice blog and indeed, you have joined this site after discovering the blog. I hope that you still get chance to pop in and reader the posts? I try to get at least one a day up. I have start

Started by Phil Voice

0 Replies

whos back to work in the snow!.... gettin more work...

ohhhh very cold out there and ive now got a cold lol, so who braved it 2day in the snow?? anyone.... do u think its pointless advertising in jan for maintenance work??? or putting out leafleats etc... as i only started last year i knew it would be sl

Started by ian in Business

2 Replies · Reply by Mark Jan 5, 2009

The New Year 2009

Well now The party is over and the hangover (almost) what are all your hopes and dreams for the next twelve months, We are hoping to have a few more enquireies than last year. Hopfully work with a few designers locally but we garden designers and lan

Started by Mike Stapleton

2 Replies

2 vidoes uploded- what do you think?

first place that I uploaded this vidoes, I want later on to upload to some other places on the net included my website. what do you think?

Started by Ofer El-hashahar

1 Reply · Reply by Kerrie John-The garden design Co Dec 26, 2008

PRO

Add an event or show

Do you have an event or a show coming up? If so, don't forget to add it to the events page for others to pick up on. Bear in mind that events feature highly in Internet search results so it is a very powerful feature.

Started by Phil Voice in Marketing

0 Replies

PRO

There is no need to apologise for having an opinion.

"I thought after I wrote my little comment, everyone would think I was "having a go"" Thanks to Colin for this comment but please do not feel you have to apologise for anything :-0)) One of the greatest assets that this site has is the atmosphere and

Started by Phil Voice

1 Reply · Reply by Richard Boyd Dec 23, 2008

The Spiritual Gardener that builds the Sacred is You

I think its a good time, not only of the year but with all the current troubles to ask everyone why they garden.For me I get a real high out of combining plants and natural materials to create this harmonious and lovely whole. I try and copy God to m

Started by Daniel Johnson III

0 Replies

The cycling gardener !

While flicking through useless crap on youtube the other night I came across this. Thought I'd share it with you guys and see what you think.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgNnYqOmjO0I put cycling gardener into google and it turns out there are a few

Started by James

35 Replies · Reply by David Cox Apr 16, 2012

Starting out

Hi everyone,Another daft question from the one who hasnt started yet ! Waiting for the weather to get better and my lovely Christmas job at Marks and Spencer to end.Slight sarcasm you may detect, but at least it has got me used to being on my feet al

Started by Sweetpea

3 Replies · Reply by Tim Haywood Dec 18, 2008

Hayters

HiI know a few people on this site use the hayters a lot my qustions are1. Whats the best model for professional use 48/56 and why ?2.What would you expect to pay i have had a quote for a 56 brb ( blade brake clutch )for £880 new3. Last but not least

Started by Classic Gardens

1 Reply · Reply by steve loftus Dec 16, 2008

bbc's wild about your garden

Ok so this post is not strictly anything to do with gardens and its one for the blokes I guess ! I tuned into the bbc's wild about your garden on Wednesday night for the first time to see what it was all about.All I can say is I bet the guys building

Started by James

1 Reply · Reply by Kerrie John-The garden design Co Dec 12, 2008

spiral cypress

Morning allHave a medium size golden cypress stuck in the middle of a client's lawn and she wants it reduced. Thought it might be fun to try and topiarize(?) it into a spiral. Any ideas on where to start, and how to finish!!! Quite happy to spend a b

Started by Debbie Britten in Groundscare

0 Replies

PRO

Christmas trees to rent

Here is a little idea that some of you might wish to consider to add a few pounds to your business coffers at an otherwise lean time of year. Martin Cake has started a Christmas tree rental service in Dorset - an idea that I feel will suit may retai

Started by Phil Voice

1 Reply · Reply by steve loftus Dec 10, 2008

hollow tine aerator

Hi allWonder if you can help me iam after a petrol hollow tine aerator for med to large gardens.New or second hand will do, I know they arnt cheap but a pointer in the right direction would be great as ive only ever used hired ones.Many thanks

Started by Classic Gardens in Turfcare

4 Replies

PRO

Sign up to the Landscape Juice newsletter

Many of you who are members of this site originally came here through the main Landscape Juice blog. I have made it easier to stay up to date with news and magazine articles with a new newsletter service. All you have to do is pop your email address

Started by Phil Voice

0 Replies

Flu....

So this week I've spent 4 days in bed and today I'm up and about but still not ready for a full day by any means !!! So that has cost me about £500....ouchNow my mrs work place gave them all the flu jab this year (they are an accountants so would wei

Started by Mark

6 Replies · Reply by Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com Dec 19, 2008

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How long is your Christmas holiday?

Christmas was the only time of year I felt I could take a holiday from work and stay around the home. Any other time, because my office and yard was based at my house, I could not relax or stay away from the daily dealings. Apart from our litter coll

Started by Phil Voice in Business

9 Replies · Reply by Kerrie John-The garden design Co Dec 7, 2008

PRO

2 Free new patented tools to give away

I asked Phil if it was ok to get some advice, comments, suggestions and feedback from industry experts, that means YOU !I am close to going into production with a new garden tool, and am now working on final prototype and design etc with consultants

Started by Alan Neath in Machinery

13 Replies · Reply by Alan Neath Dec 4, 2009

Moss

Just a quick question, nothing to do with my buisness, my mum wants to know if anybody knows if you can get hold of moss stick anywhere? Internet or mail order???I said i would ask the font of all knoledge which is 'The Landscape Juice Network'!!

Started by James Hall

2 Replies · Reply by Moyra Nov 29, 2008

Skips

We currently remove all our waste by hiring skips. This is because it has proved impractical to try to separate waste when we have such a variety of materials including the bulk bags aggregates come in, wood, stone, and the majority of our waste is d

Started by Susan in Landscaping

3 Replies

EU pesticide regulations

You've probably seen some of the (sometimes pretty hysterical) reporting of the pesticide regulation changes currently working their way through the labyrinthine EU bureaucracy, but it hasn't been mentioned on the network, so.....How many of you use

Started by Nick Steele in Pesticides

5 Replies · Reply by Kristen Nov 27, 2008

As a New Member

Hello everyoneas a new member i was hoping some of you would have a quick look at my website and suggest any improvements i could make to attrack customers, as i had to work for someone else until i was layed off yesterday, i just cant seem to get th

Started by Mike Stapleton in Business

5 Replies · Reply by Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt Nov 20, 2008

Disposing of Waste

After receiving SGD's Vitis Newsletter, I read with interest the article titled 'Should you have a waste carriers licence?' It looks like we all need to purchase a license at £150 unless you leave your clients garden with a sea of rubbish or you hire

Started by The Perfumed Garden in Waste

6 Replies · Reply by chris Nov 22, 2008

PRO

Google offers up SEO starters guide

Thought this might appeal: Google's SEO Starter Guide "Our Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide covers around a dozen common areas that webmasters might consider optimizing. We felt that these areas (like improving title and description meta tags

Started by Craig McGinty in Marketing

0 Replies

PRO

Tips on advertising and promoting your business

Making your brand stand out and getting noticed for the right reasons is essential for gardeners and landscapers and it does not need to cost the earth. Paying huge sums to go into a directory or the local newspaper is not necessary - here are a few

Started by Phil Voice in Business

16 Replies · Reply by Roy Parker Nov 12, 2012

Wet weather gear

I seem to remember this was one of the "disappeared" threads, so I thought I'd resurrect it ....What sort of wet weather gear do you guys use ? Has anyone found a "breathable" fabric that actually works whilst gardening ? I always find that working a

Started by Nick Steele in Clothing

20 Replies · Reply by Mark Nov 23, 2008

PRO

Work Wear competition result

The corporate work wear competition has been drawn and I am pleased to say that David Riches has won 5 embroidered polo shirts courtesy of Alan Cregeen at Embroidery Depot. All David has to do now is liaise with Alan on his logo; the sleeve will bear

Started by Phil Voice

1 Reply · Reply by Alan Cregeen Nov 4, 2008

PRO

Thank you to Kerrie and Jonathon

Once again my sincere thanks to Kerrie and Jonathon for their financial support of this network and thanks too to Kerrie once again and to Warner Grounds for their advertsing support on the Landscape Juice Blog. I hope that the exposure helps bring i

Started by Phil Voice

1 Reply

hayter harrier 56 2008

Hi, i am looking at buying a new hayter, has anyone used one? If so what do you think of this model?I have a very old one that i run at the moment which is about 14 years old and has seen better days.How do they pick up in the wet?Should i wait until

Started by iain kinnell

7 Replies · Reply by steve loftus Nov 2, 2008

Warranty

Purchased a Allen hover mower base has cracked still under warranty but at the moment company wont honour it because supplier has gone into receivership how do i stand or any tips for fixing it

Started by chris

7 Replies · Reply by Phil Voice Nov 1, 2008

Favourite Trees

I want to put together a collection of trees. I expect my favourites are pretty "average", and I'd appreciate anything special that you would recommend. Plus I've got a few where I could do with recommendations of varietiesAcer griseum (Paper Bark Ma

Started by Kristen in Plants

4 Replies · Reply by ian Oct 28, 2008

winter approcahing do u take time off?

so how long do u people take off work after xmas cos jan seems to be a tricky time and cold and gardens lookin mint...alot of my jobs are quite small and when the cold hits there wont be much to do, maybe i should take a vacation in jan lol what does

Started by ian

5 Replies · Reply by Ofer El-hashahar Oct 28, 2008

Best instant hedging?

In looking for replacement hedge plants I'm balancing Plant size & Price against my Impatience to get a fully formed hedge.

There seem to be three routes: (prices / timescales based on Hornbeam / Beech)

1) Small plants, say 120-150cm, £18.00 per Metr

Started by Kristen in Groundscare

2 Replies · Reply by Nick Steele Oct 24, 2008

Moving large shrubs

Having pulled out the hedge at the front of the house, in readiness for planting a new one, there are a number of large shrubs that also need to come out (the flower bed in front of the hedge is going too).

I'm going to re-plant them in front of ano

Started by Kristen in Groundscare

2 Replies · Reply by Kristen Oct 24, 2008

Top dressing mix

Hi

The problem: We live on the coast and the majority of customers live directly opp sand dunes.
The problem is the sand blows on to the lawn which apart from causing no end of problems to mowers also lands on the lawn.
I have found the only option is

Started by Classic Gardens in Soil & compost

8 Replies · Reply by steve loftus Oct 25, 2008

Some good news about gardening and credit crunch!

I started my business in Israel 9 years ago- Economy was bad than there . few hard years for the country economy -(in Israel its happened as the whole country went to high-tech and half of the firms were just bubbles that popped one day).I am happy t

Started by Ofer El-hashahar

4 Replies · Reply by Phil Voice Oct 27, 2008

PRO

Making the most of your time - are you a planner?

I have just had one of the busiest periods of the whole year which has left me feeling tired and in the need of a break. This week I have found it difficult to concentrate and my days, of fourteen hours or so are usually productive and energized, but

Started by Phil Voice

6 Replies · Reply by Phil Voice Oct 18, 2008

Power barrow or wheel barrow ?

Phil's recent blog set me thinking about shifting topsoil ....I've got a job in a couple of weeks which includes shifting 20 tonnes of topsoil from the roadside to the clients back garden, through a "standard" width gate (90cms ?).

How would you guy

Started by Nick Steele in Landscaping

13 Replies · Reply by Nick Steele Oct 31, 2008

Which lawn mower

Most of my income comes from the cutting of lawns. I started 18 months ago with an old 19" Hayter Harrier which was OK but as my round increased I realised I was a little vulnerable if the mower broke down. Having had the opportunity to try a friends

Started by GORDON in Machinery

8 Replies

van been wrote off, help!!!

So my van is now gone because of some idiot driver, i have a hire one for about a week, not sure wether to maybe get a estate car for a maintenance round, i do about 3 days a week. what u think cos they r offering me alot less than i bought it for an

Started by ian

4 Replies · Reply by jonathan stollar Oct 11, 2008

weeds

once a weed killer has done it's job which is to kill the weeds do you then pull up whats left or do you dig it in

Started by Darren

5 Replies · Reply by Nick Steele Oct 8, 2008

PRO

Well done Craig McGinty

I am delighted to say that my good friend, Craig McGinty and his This French Life Blog has been featured by Typepad. I do not want to turn Craig's face red but there is more to this award than just being at the keyboard and popping out loads of infor

Started by Phil Voice

5 Replies · Reply by Craig McGinty Sep 28, 2008

PRO

Landscapers - be prepared to walk away

As a trader, you have just twelve months in a financial year to reach your targets and optimise the time available that you can sell.

You cannot afford to get it wrong and it only takes one bad payer to ruin your profit and damage the prospect of a

Started by Phil Voice in Business

21 Replies · Reply by Rob Taylor Aug 25, 2014

Bamboo

Hi i have just joined and wondered if anyone has ever had to tackle Bamboo before, as in the removal of vast quantities. Any tips that do not involve back breaking digging.

Started by Pea

4 Replies · Reply by Pea Sep 18, 2008

Taking on a new employee

I'm in a bit of a fix at the moment as I'm wanting to take on my first employee but have no idea of how to go about setting up all the bits & bobs to make sure I'm fulfilling all the legal requirements. I'm going to make an appointment with the C.A.B

Started by Andrew Fereday in Business

8 Replies · Reply by Nick Steele Sep 15, 2008

Permeable paving

The Government guidance is finally here and I thought we could all do with a space where we can share advice and knowledge as the new Regulations impact on our designs and installations.The new Regulations do not appear to be as negative to the drive

Started by Lara Warner in Landscaping

0 Replies

Victorian Blue-Black Panel Tile Edgings

I am looking for a quantity of the above to complete a garden in Bedfordshire. At present I do not know exactly how many I need as there are allready some on-site. I will post that information tomorrow. Please let me know even if you only have a smal

Started by Bayleaf in Marketing

1 Reply · Reply by Phil Voice Sep 11, 2008

Licence to kill (weeds)

Licence to kill (weeds)I have been reading all the discussions about weed killing over the last over the last months and itSeems that there are a lot of people out there have not been trained in the use of chemical application,Do you or your employee

Started by Simon Smith

5 Replies · Reply by steve loftus Sep 9, 2008

PRO

Please 'tick the right box'

We have 195 topics in the forum up till now with a variety of different subjects being discussed. Topics are ranging from where to find a structural engineer to advice on avoiding advertising scams. We also have a number of topics that have been star

Started by Phil Voice

0 Replies

Mulching Mowers

Any views do you like them do you use them best models any advice would be welcome

Started by chris in Machinery

2 Replies

Yellow Pages

Just had a call from a rep trying to sell me advertising space in the next isuue of yellow pages do you think this is money well spent or the local rag a better option any views would be welcome thanks

Started by chris in Marketing

2 Replies · Reply by Craig McGinty Sep 5, 2008

PRO

How do I join the Marshall Register?

Many landscapers are looking for strength across their brand and bolt on products and services.

One particular avenue open to established landscapers is with a specialist group such as the Marshalls Register.

Here is information provided to me toda

Started by Phil Voice in Accreditation

1 Reply · Reply by Brett Bradford Aug 31, 2008

Getting the most from your website

In a previous life I worked in advertising, part of my role was advising clients on how to get the most from their websites. Not just using in terms of a website being a point of reference but as a tool for generating new business.But now I'm finding

Started by Andy Westacott in Marketing

13 Replies · Reply by Phil Voice Aug 28, 2008

files and paperwork

I have spent the day blitzing my office, about time too! There is nearly ten years of files/folders and paperwork relating to projects undertaken, bursting out of cupboards, falling off shelves and piled up on the floor.How long do you keep this stuf

Started by Kerrie John-The garden design Co in Business

7 Replies · Reply by Kerrie John-The garden design Co Aug 25, 2008

PRO

Foraging for wild mushrooms

I aspire, like probably many of you, to go out in the wilds and forage natural food from natural places. I promise myself every year that I will learn the art of foraging for fungi but I never do (although we do have one particular spot on the farm h

Started by Phil Voice

26 Replies · Reply by Phil Voice Nov 12, 2009

Late payers & how to lose a client without causing upset

I have two clients who I do weekly maintenance for and invoice them monthly. They have increasingly become late payers and I end uo doing over a months work without having been paid for the last. Should I continue to work there if not been paid, alth

Started by Hannah Cooper in Business

15 Replies · Reply by James Wells Dec 21, 2011

Awkward Site.

Hi, great site, only just discovered today.I`ve got an awkward site to maintain at present, its an apartment block that has its gardens on high walls an very steep, stepped gabions. I`ve been instructed to plant climbers or trailing plants that provi

Started by James Hall in Plants

2 Replies · Reply by James Hall Aug 31, 2008

PRO

Institute of Groundsman Saltex Exhibition

I will be at the IOG Saltex show at Windsor Race Course on either the 3rd or 4th of September if anyone wants to meet up? I will be attending with Mike Seaton and combining my Weed Free role as Marketing Manager with some Landscape Juice work. If any

Started by Phil Voice

2 Replies · Reply by steve loftus Aug 31, 2008

Sloping site

I have just been asked to do a job on a sloping site 12m wide by 6m depth sloping away with a 2m fall the customer has asked for the grass to be killed and bark to be put down then planted with shrubs or anything which grows about 3m high . i said if

Started by chris in Landscaping

8 Replies · Reply by Simon Smith Sep 1, 2008

"Living Wall" Planters

Does anyone know please where I can source some "Living Wall" or "Vertical Garden" planters. I have managed to find them in the USA but they do not ship to the UK or have a UK distributor. Any help gratefully received so I can recreate the hanging ga

Started by Lara Warner in Marketing

0 Replies

Pond - safety grill for children

helloI am designing a wildife pond with bog and scree ramp and was wondering if anyone has used a screen/grill to ensure children do not drown? My client has grand-children and we want to ensure they come to no harm. I have never had to use one befor

Started by Francoise Murat in Suppliers

3 Replies · Reply by Francoise Murat Aug 3, 2008

Profile Pictures

Ok, i give up. I admit defeat!What resolution picture do i need to set my profile picture properly... I did a 96x96 resolution image of my logo, but it only shows a few characters.Any help much appreciated.thanksDavid

Started by David Riches in Marketing

2 Replies · Reply by David Riches Jul 30, 2008

Commercial Work / Contracts

Hi All.Does anyone have any experiance on how to break into commercial landscaping / groundworks etc? At present all my work is residential which is to be expected givem my current marketing (local papers and directories).Im in the process of getting

Started by David Riches in Landscaping

8 Replies · Reply by steve loftus Jul 27, 2008

PRO

Skype Chat and Conference Call Monday 28th July

We are going to attempt to do something very special and different this coming Monday at 7.30pm GMT. I believe this could be the first for any Garden Network in the UK and that is to gather together our members and demonstrate the power of the intern

Started by Phil Voice

4 Replies · Reply by Phil Voice Jul 29, 2008

Protecting photos on the web and getting them in images.

Hi there-am hoping to sell photos via my website but am worried that they will be copied so how do l protect them. Also how do you get them to appear in image searches. Many thanks for any help.

Started by Jill Le Claire

8 Replies · Reply by Phil Voice Jun 30, 2009

Getting rid of garden waste

How do you guys get rid of your waste from a job? Typically I use my customer's recyle bin, however recently I've been invloved in a number of quite big jobs where I've had 3 or 4 large bags of waste.Basically guys I'm looking for an environmentally

Started by Marc Cole in Business

25 Replies · Reply by S Williams May 7, 2010

covering of ground

thanks for your help guys next questions,how long do you leave a covering on the ground to also kill weeds.and id you have good soil would you put manure on the earth

Started by Darren

0 Replies

Soil Improvement advice and best practice

Hi there-really could do with some good ideas. Hope l have put this in the right group?

Anyway l have 2 gardens that are doing my head in. The first has large established shrubs/perennials but had become overgrown with honeysuckle. After removing abou

Started by Jill Le Claire in Soil & compost

1 Reply · Reply by Nick Steele Jul 14, 2008

How Many Clients

How many customers do you need for a profitable gardening round thanks

Started by chris in Business

9 Replies · Reply by Colin Hunt Jan 29, 2012

How do you define the left/right sides of the property?

I have been struggling with how to define the left/right sides of the yard. Do you stand facing the front of the house, or do you stand in the backyard facing the back of the house? I'm interesting in learning the feng shui of design and cannot find

Started by Gabriella

5 Replies

GREEN WASTE RANT

I have been speaking to my Local Council for advice of where I can recycle my green waste as a business. They explained that I should use the local waste management companies, of which I explained they don't recycle and that I want my green waste to

Started by Sefton Paine in Waste

6 Replies · Reply by Samuel Beresford-Foster Aug 10, 2011

City and Guilds versus RHS General Certificate in horticulture

Please could I ask you to be frank and put me in the picture as reguards which course to do.

I do not want to commit myself to a course only for people further down the line to say that is not really worth the paper it is written on.

Started by jon taylor in Careers

3 Replies · Reply by Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd Jul 3, 2011

NGS Membership

Hi, everyone - great to see the site growing almost as quickly as the weeds in the Garden !Just thought I would post this discussion starter. We were accepted for NGS membership last year and have just opened our garden for the scheme. We had a great

Started by Richard Lacey in Marketing

2 Replies · Reply by Classic Gardens Jul 6, 2008

frustrated and unsure ???

I may have the chance to quit my job of 10 years and actually do a job i enjoy. I have a young family and would love to be my own boss dictating what hours i work whilst fitting in with my family and clients needs. I am fortunate enough not to be und

Started by jon taylor

8 Replies

Pictures of Roses

Hi Folks,I'm going to start developing a 50m long flower border here in Spain later this year. I have a catalogue from a local nursery that lists 11 varieties. I will buy from this range as they'll have been proven to do well in this environment. I'v

Started by Bigyin in Groundscare

2 Replies · Reply by Bigyin Jul 4, 2008

How do designers decide which plants to use ?

Excuse me while I leap onto my hobby horse....why do designers not give more thought to where their clients can source their plants from ?We seem to have a regular flow of customers who arrive on our nursery triumphantly clutching a garden design, fo

Started by Nick Steele in Design

12 Replies · Reply by Phil Voice Dec 7, 2013

PRO

The Lawn maintenance thread

One of the biggest assets of any garden, apart from the plants, has to be the lawn. It is usually the single largest part of any garden yet it is often overlooked or just ignored by home-owners and to a great extent professionals who just do not have

Started by Phil Voice

8 Replies · Reply by Mike Seaton Jul 5, 2008

Do you have a cancellation clause?

Hi All,

Hope your all enjoying the good weather.

Im just tidying up my T&Cs and noticed i didnt have a cancellation clause. I would be interested to know if/how you others deal with cancellations?

Thanks

David

Started by David Riches in Business

1 Reply · Reply by Phil Voice Jun 30, 2008

PRO

Make hay while the sun shines

I have not posted much in the last day or two but I have read every post and it is great to see such continued activity. I do not want to mention the other site but save to say, for 1900 (?) users, there is a tiny percentage who are posting but the a

Started by Phil Voice

1 Reply · Reply by Kerrie John-The garden design Co Jun 26, 2008

Philosophy, Plants and Life

Firstly, would anyone know of a book which deals with the theme of my thread.I have always been absolutely fascinated by nature, to the point that it's design is remarkable and exact, so much so, it has to be design, hasn't it?Yesterday, I eventually

Started by Sefton Paine

3 Replies · Reply by Lisa Valentine Jun 30, 2009

PRO

Landscaping, Garden Maintenance and Design Jobs Wanted

If you are looking for a gardening, landscaping or garden design job then add your details here. Please do not add any other information i.e. replies - contact the job offerer directly via the message facility. Please read 'finding good staff' for ot

Started by Phil Voice in Careers

0 Replies

PRO

Landscaping, Garden Maintenance and Design Jobs Offered

If you have a vacancy that you are looking to fill then why not add the details here. Please keep the post to the job description, salary (if you want to included this) and location of the job with any relevant details specific to the employment. Ple

Started by Phil Voice in Careers

8 Replies · Reply by philip porter Apr 18, 2012

Finding Good Staff

Just wondering how you all find staff. We are down to my husband and 2 guys at the moment as our senior guy has just announced he is leaving tomorrow!!! aghhh. Oh well, maybe life wants us to slow down a bit....but I was thinking of advertising again

Started by Susan in Business

12 Replies · Reply by Susan Jan 7, 2009

PRO

What memories to you have of your childhood garden?

I love nostalgia and often recall memories of growing up.

I wrote a rather self indulgent post some while back called - Memories of my childhood garden - on Landscape Juice.

Do you have any particularly strong memories of growing up and how returni

Started by Phil Voice

13 Replies · Reply by Harry@VWGS Nov 20, 2015

PRO

Do you need to pay for good business advice?

Out of our trade members, how many of you are members of the APL or BALI? What is your view on membership of these trade organisations and do you feel it is justified to charge a fee to allow you in? What is more, do trade organisation just tend to c

Started by Phil Voice in Accreditation

5 Replies · Reply by Richard Boyd Jun 19, 2008

Fixed quotes?

Hi All.

I always tended to try and offer the client a fixed price quote so they could budget ok.

However, i keep overrunning and incurring extra costs which im currently absorbing, but im wondering whether i need to actually offer fixed price jobs.

For

Started by David Riches in Business

11 Replies · Reply by Gary RK Mar 25, 2013

PRO

A question for the Garden Design group

I am keen to get the groups going a bit more (although I do not wish to thwart the great activity on the forums either). I asked a question in the garden design group a while back and I wonder what your thoughts are? https://landscapejuice.ning.com/gr

Started by Phil Voice in Design

1 Reply · Reply by Bigyin Jul 18, 2008

Accepting electronic payments for garden maintenance

Related to the discussion about charging, I thought I would mention the idea of electronic payments for regular gardening and share some of my experiences.

Until this year, I have almost always insisted on payment by cheque from my clients - it seem

Started by Andrew Fereday in Groundscare

6 Replies · Reply by coxy84 Feb 9, 2009

PRO

Gardening chargeout rates and mindset management

You are all adding some great stuff and I can tell you that the feed back from members about the site, and members on other members, is so positive and I am delighted it is going so well. I would like to draw attention to this post from Phil Luscombe

Started by Phil Voice in Business

1 Reply · Reply by Phil Luscombe Jun 10, 2008

PRO

Forum thread changes

I have tweaked the forum categories and added a few extra. The main changes are the addition of a Garden Design thread and the splitting of the general thread into Landscaping and Gardening. I have also added a Machinery thread and a thread for Garde

Started by Phil Voice

0 Replies

PRO

Site updates and strange goings on!

You might have noticed that occasionally, things do not reappear where you last left them and it may take a little bit of time to find it.

The reason this can happen is when Ning update their software that drives the engine room of this network and

Started by Phil Voice

1 Reply · Reply by Phil Voice Jun 7, 2008

PRO

Small business advice - free downloads

I hope that you are find the resources here of great use. I intend to add to these resources over time as when I find the right one to promote. I do not have all the answers to the potential problems that your business my encounter, either as a start

Started by Phil Voice in Business

0 Replies

PRO

Garden design software - what does it do and what does it cost?

There are a number of garden software packages out there on the web. We have two members, Neil Bromhall - Complete Gardens and Tamsin Slatter who both provide different software packages.

I will let both Tamsin and Neil explain the benefits and adva

Started by Phil Voice in Design

20 Replies · Reply by Jackson's Landscape Design Feb 2, 2009

What to do off-season?

Working in the garden maintenance side of horticulture, concentrating on domestic gardens, I have quite a lengthy off-season from about mid-December to about mid/late-February. I often only have bitty jobs from late November onwards as much of the wi

Started by Andrew Fereday in Groundscare

8 Replies

PRO

Get shot of under performing contracts

Let us assume that you have five separate contracts each week and that four of them are accurate when it comes to the charge out rate.

The fifth one however only covers one fifth (20%) of your yearly cost (assuming it is a day a week for the year).

Started by Phil Voice in Business

27 Replies · Reply by Gary RK @ Landscape Juice Network Aug 31, 2019

PRO

Try this simple hourly rate test

Establishing what is the right rate to charge yourself out at is the tricky bit and nobody will get it 100% correct -but how do you know where to start?

Below is an example of how a one man band should approach setting a charge out rate.

My first con

Started by Phil Voice in Business

20 Replies · Reply by Simon Jones Oct 9, 2020

PRO

Treating your travel as a cost of landscape sales

Imagine quoting for two separate jobs? One job is located just 2 miles from your operating base and the other job is located 30 miles away.

For the sake of this exercise, let's say that both landscaping projects are exactly the same specification.

Started by Phil Voice in Business

6 Replies · Reply by Phil Voice Jan 13, 2015

PRO

It is never too early to seek advice

This is probably the hardest time for garden companies since the early 90's when a bleak recession gripped the United Kingdom. Many businesses ceased trading as work dried up and competition cut margins to negative figures. We are now very close to e

Started by Phil Voice in Business

7 Replies · Reply by Geoffrey King Sep 22, 2013

PRO

Your Landscape Juice page

First, give some credit where credit is due. Richard Loader has kindly donated one of his images as the background to the Landscape Juice header - Thank you Richard. Now we do not have a global image that covers everyone so you can now completely per

Started by Phil Voice

1 Reply · Reply by Phil Voice Jun 13, 2009

What is the legal status of a verbal contract?

I'm looking for advice on how you would all deal with this situation.I had looked after all of the maintenance needs of a small hilltop estate in Ayrshire for a Lady for 2 years. She was extremely satisfied with everything we did, how we went about d

Started by Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt in Business

23 Replies · Reply by briggsandscrapem Jun 27, 2013

Garden Budgets

Just wondering what of budgets you have for your gardens? We generally do work over £15,000 (though we do the odd front garden for less here and there). Current garden is £32,000, last one was £28,000, one before, a front garden, was £6500, then ther

Started by Susan in Landscaping

15 Replies · Reply by Mark Watson Dec 23, 2011

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ICL appoints Aimee Davey as Marketing Communications Manager for UK & Ireland

Posted by Fusion Media on December 3, 2025 at 5:09pm in Industry news

Aimee Davey joins ICL at a key point as the business moves into a busy period of campaign and product activity across its Turf and Landscape portfolio, taking on the role of Marketing Communications Manager for the UK and Ireland.

Aimee…