A Landscapers garden preparation Devon

An insight to the daily life of a garden design and landscaping build up on a rear garden located in Cullompton, Exeter, Devon.

Day 2

View previous day here

Coffee.

I requested a larger machine to move the stock pile of rubble as the previous hired excavator struggled to meet the projects demands. You never can tell what belt of ground lies below the surface topsoil.

Clean site, Clean work vicinity

Road sweeping

Now that the micro excavator has been replaced with a 1.5 ton machine, the roads are swept clear to eliminate any future problems that may arise from peeved neighbours, this and parking are the two most common problems that have risen in the past..... a long time ago I must say.

Again common courtesy goes along way.

Garden Clearance

Garden clearance

Now the excavator has been checked for oil, water and red diesel, the rubble can be moved into reach of the Hiab grab. I set the revs to a touch off high and operate the digger until the pile is relocated.

In the mean time the team mark out the retaining wall footings and hand dig to 500mm below finish floor level.

As a rule I'm a firm believer of allowing the excavator to do it's job, however, on this occasion it's a hand dig as I cant slue round with out fear of knocking this 2m high 100mm wall !!

 Hand digging the feature wall footings

Hand dig footings

A 2m high x 225 wide feature T shaped 7 newton block wall with recesses and stainless steel up lighters will be constructed on 600mm wide x 500mm deep Rc 35 structural concrete, the team makes short work of this minor hand dig. We've hand dug on landscaping projects were goats refuse to venture !!

With the ditching bucket I have cut the footings which will accommodate the exterior garden BBQ and kitchen area, the later gas bottle and all electrical ducting, lighting, pump switches will be out of sight in the cupboard space below the work surface.

Diesel machine at the end of the day

Diesel machine at end of day

With half of the feature wall footings dug, the decking dig reduced to the correct levels and the days drawing in way to quickly for my liking, I start to cut and reduce the raised seating area, riser and half of the main paving and led reflection pool area by eye.

Having an "eye for a level" cannot be bought and takes years of practice to gain...... I wont be far out once the team dip tomorrow with the laser level.

Clean site, secure all tools and diesel the excavator, never diesel up in the mornings as the fuel tank is half full or less and will collect condensation over night.

Every day the garden will be kept tidy once we have completed our goals.

Tomorrows blog:

Groundworks on a Landscape Garden Exeter

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Ian Harvey replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"I would also look at the feasibility and cost of adding a tow arm and 2nd hand small trailer to your car. This instantly adds to your ability to undertake multiple tool jobs and to remove waste. A gardener in my area has been doing this for decades.…"
2 hours ago
Sean Clarke replied to crawford smith's discussion Brass trigger,lance and fittings on CP15 Evolution
"I have two sprayers, one with the brass Lance and the other with the plastic one. I have to say, I prefer using the brass one 'upside-down' with the anvil nozzles. It soon becomes very easy to use, requiring only downward pressure from the thumb -…"
3 hours ago
PGM posted a discussion
A question for those offering lawn treatments. Does anyone use a specific product, separate to their normal treatments, that's specifically used when we have long, dry periods? Can anyone recommend a good product? I imagine it would likely be a…
14 hours ago
Adam Woods replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Good move Andrew... Get someone to proof read them before you use them, its so easy to miss obvious things, becasue you are so close to it - and preferably get them printed professionally..you would only need a few hundred
I started with a Honda…"
yesterday
Andrew Bentley replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Thank you for your thoughts and support! 😊"
yesterday
Andrew Bentley replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Thank you! I've changed the website a bit and simplified things.... I wasn't going to offer mowing as I'm operating out of a small car, but with hindsight I see I need to offer this! I use Ego battery kit and think I can get my mower in the car if I…"
yesterday
Andrew Bentley replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Thank you for your constructive feedback! Not brutal at all... I have taken onboard what you are saying and changing things...😊"
yesterday
John F replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Had a look at your website Andrew I feel your skill set will appeal to those discerning clients who will value your honesty and your integrity shines through .
Most likely they will have a fair sized property but they don't want to pay contractors…"
yesterday
Peter sellers replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Think you also have an issue with using your name as your trading style. It does not say what you do. Just put gardeners Winchester into google and you are not there. You need to trade as EG Bentley Garden Services for google to pick you up when…"
yesterday
Dan Nate posted a discussion
So a couple of customers have asked for pressure washing and I saw the above machine for a good deal. Has anyone experience with it at all?It's a honda gx200 so not blazing power but with 13lpm should be OK for most smaller domestic jobs I assume. 
yesterday
Adam Woods replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Like "
yesterday
Peter sellers replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Andrew, following on from Adam's reply and having a look at your website I am struggling to see where your market is? 
Without coming across as a know it all and unless comments from members contradict me  the bulk of work is for grass mowing and…"
yesterday
Adam Woods replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Hi Andrew - where are you based?  ooh think I've found you (https://www.andrew-bentley.co.uk/) You're in a v good area - though I'd focus on areas that its difficult for apprentices to get to and from Sparsholt to.  - So Salisbury for instance. You…"
yesterday
Andrew Bentley replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Thank you ☺️ "
Sunday
Andrew Bentley replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Thank you ☺️ "
Sunday
John F replied to Andrew Bentley's discussion Finding work
"Hi Andrew 
I went self employed over 12 years ago after Twenty years Estate gardening .
Domestic gardening v Estate gardening are like chalk and cheese , worlds apart and I found it very difficult to adjust but I started the ball rolling by…"
Sunday
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A question for those offering lawn treatments. Does anyone use a specific product, separate to their normal treatments, that's specifically used when we have long, dry periods? Can anyone recommend a good product? I imagine it would likely be a…

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Brendon 2000psi pressure washer

So a couple of customers have asked for pressure washing and I saw the above machine for a good deal. Has anyone experience with it at all?It's a honda gx200 so not blazing power but with 13lpm should be OK for most smaller domestic jobs I assume. 

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Finding work

Hi everyone After a couple of years employed as Head of Horticulture for a charity, I decided to return to self employment as a freelance gardener at the end of March. I am struggling to find clients and don't know what to do! I have a website, a My…

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21 Replies · Reply by Ian Harvey 2 hours ago
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