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I have just read an interesting story on New Media Age about the use of Facebook to launch an application for your company and surprisingly, not every well known brand is successful. I was also flabbergasted to read that "Applications rolled out by top brands such as MTV, Warner Bros and Woolworths were found to have as little as five daily active users." Five users! If I use that a rule then Landscape Juice has blasted off to the moon with my loyal readership. I have just launched this facebook style gardening network so that professional and amateur gardeners can interact, share and learn from each other. Using a platform such as Ning to promote your business in itself is not exactly launching an application but one thing that is very, very clear to me is the level of businesses who start a project and then expect the wave of web 2. to whisk them into the stratosphere without any further or at least very little input. Behind any successful business needs to remain a driven person or group of people who can return to the 'shop' day, after day, after day, with that same passion for their product. I think that this is why so many smaller gardening businesses are so successful because there is a passionate person who is at the helm. One of the reasons you may have joined the Landscape Juice Garden Network is because you are looking for that extra opening or opportunity to deliver something of value to your clients. Part of the secret, and it is often over looked, to making a network successful is self promotion and interactivity. I once made a friend on a financial bulletin board many moons ago and ended up designing their garden in Oxfordshire because of this successful online relationship. You can never be sure where a lead or introduction is coming from and for sure, if you are not active, success is going to be limited. And, that is the reason that I return day in day out to Landscape Juice and try and help. There are other successful sites on the web who are providing an excellent service for information, experience and interaction. Stuart does a great job at Gardening Tips 'n' Ideas and of course on his (fairly) new Blotanical site. What makes Stuart so successful is his ability to present what his readership wants and to a certain extent demands on a daily basis. The demise of so many gardening sites is due, mainly, to the fact that management has enjoyed (at the readers expense I suspect) too much of the good times as web 1. found it's feet but, arrogantly or naively, failed to respond to the demands of what came after. Only today, I have looked at the Gardening Answers site (readers of Landscape Juice will know how critical I have been) only to see that new editor, Geoff Stebbings, has not updated his garden diary since the beginning of January. I was wary at the time that by promoting from within was not the right move because it just means the same train of thought will lead a band of apathy. No disrespect to Geoff because I am sure he is a good guy, but to me, Garden Answers is dead on it's feet. Have you any previous experiences with the value of social media? - add a comment to this post.
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Open forum activity

Landscape Juice replied to Mark Yeo's discussion Etesia Bahia hydro mbhe 2001
" Just for others, there are a number of Etesia manuals that can be browsed on the Mower Spare Parts site:
https://www.mowerspareparts.co.uk/category_s/2113.htm"
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Andy Richards, Grounds Manager at Haileybury School, has praised the Dennis ES-34R battery-powered rotary mower for its sustainability, quiet operation, and exceptional performance.At the prestigious independent school in Hertfordshire, which boasts…
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Tim Bucknall replied to Lee Pope's discussion Country path
"I don't think this is type 1, it looks finer.  It might be 20mm to dust limestone (like a fine type 1), but it could be something like Breedon self-binding path gravel (google it).  Either would need a free-draining sub-base."
yesterday
Ag replied to Ag's discussion How to make ends meet as a professional gardener
"Thanks so much everyone, great advice, will give it some thought and try some new pricing ideas with new customers....best to give it another chance and if all fails will try something else. Best wishes. "
Tuesday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
GreenBest recently participated in the Made in the UK, Sold to the Indo-Pacific event at Birmingham University, hosted by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Representing the company, Jeremy Johnson engaged in expert-led discussions and…
Tuesday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
Etesia UK is thrilled to announce substantial savings of over £8,000 on its renowned Hydro 124 range of ride-on mowers.This limited-time offer presents an exceptional opportunity for customer to purchase the best-in-class cut and collect machines at…
Tuesday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
KAR UK is excited to announce the arrival of the Hunter Wireless Valve Link. Designed to simplify irrigation projects of all sizes, this innovative accessory eliminates the need for traditional wiring, offering landscape professionals and…
Monday
Ian Harvey replied to Mark Yeo's discussion Etesia Bahia hydro mbhe 2001
"Have you checked under the seat? I don't know this mower, but I think that is where the manual states the oil filler is."
Monday
Mark Yeo replied to Mark Yeo's discussion Etesia Bahia hydro mbhe 2001
"Thanks for taking the trouble to reply Ian - much appreciated. Unfortunately the manuals don't help in that my machine doesn't have a reservoir or dipstick so I'm scratching my head!!! "
Sunday
Peter sellers replied to Ag's discussion How to make ends meet as a professional gardener
"Yet more good advice, charging an hourly rate is an illness which seems to be prevalent in "our" trade all it does is to devalue our skills,experience and investment in our businesses along with pandering to customers expectations for a low cost…"
Sunday
James replied to Ag's discussion How to make ends meet as a professional gardener
"Try and price per visit instead of hourly rate. 2-3 hour slots say to custumer £90-£100 per visit.
This will be half your day if you add travel to and from the job. Or have a minimum fee of x amount per visit. If a customer wants an hour or 2 it…"
Sunday
Ian Harvey replied to Mark Yeo's discussion Etesia Bahia hydro mbhe 2001
"A copy of the manual can be found here:
https://www.mowerspareparts.co.uk/v/Etesia%20owners%20manual/Etesia...(early%20version)%20owners%20manual.pdf
 
or if any help, also the latter one:…"
Sunday
Peter sellers replied to Ag's discussion How to make ends meet as a professional gardener
"More good advice"
Saturday
Paul Bishop replied to Ag's discussion How to make ends meet as a professional gardener
"As relative novices to gardening - 4th year of trading - we have experienced what you are going through and feel your anxiety and frustration and "is-it-all-worth-it-I-might-as-well-go-and-work-at-Tesco" thoughts .
At the end of the day it boils…"
Saturday
Jason Taylor replied to Jason Taylor's discussion Lawn / soil problem
"I sold the Sthil and bought a good second hand BCS 730. It did a far better job, then my son raked it then dragged a pallet around. "
Apr 12
Sam Bainbridge replied to Ag's discussion How to make ends meet as a professional gardener
"Mix the job up I do some contracts that work out at £75hr.
Some just grass £500 per day
Some private £25hr
Some priced jobs £500 per day
Don't just stick to hourly rate you'll make nothing.  To make bigger money you have to invest in better machines…"
Apr 12
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Country path

 Hi everyone, I was looking for a little bit of advice if possible.This is an existing path through a country park near me. This was done 3 years ago now.  Can anyone tell me what type of stone/gravel was used for this top layer?Any help much…

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5 Replies · Reply by Tim Bucknall yesterday
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