Dan never knew that he would be orchestrating a ten-man-band five years ago when he packed in his internet sales job in favour of a mower and a van. But since, he has progressively grown his business thanks to acute attention to detail and v
interview (5)
(image: Garden Designer Phil Stovell)
Phil Stovell is a garden designer based in Somerset.
Not only has Phil set up his business in a recession, to add to the challenge, he has also relocated from Hampshire.
Phil Voice asks Phil a few questions abou
(image: Mike Warman (right) receiving a highly commended award from Marshalls)
Mike Warman is director of Aura Landscapes Ltd, based in Southampton. The company is fairly young, trading for just over three years but it has gone from strength to stre
Garden designer Michèle Martin spent twenty years in the corporate world before choosing to pursue her passion for gardens. Having earned an HND from Reaseheath College, Michèle went on to get an honours degree in Garden Design at Myerscough, Lancash
The Landscape Juice Network (LJN)
What is it?
LJN is an open association of individuals and companies involved in landscaping, garden maintenance, horticulture and garden design.
The site is…
As Blue Monday is fast approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to give a small reminder to our community here on Landscape Juice to remember to tell people about your worries and if you’re having negative thoughts. Talking about emotions…
“Gardening programmes tend to be very ‘traditional’ white middle-class in their attitude towards gardening”, Julia Sargeant said in an interview after she won gold at Chelsea Flower Show in 2016. She was the first black gardener to design…
Studies report that burglary is one of the most emotionally impactful crimes to be a victim of. The prevention of being succumbed to it is always at the back of our minds – is anything on show? Are all the windows closed? Did you definitely lock…
Dan never knew that he would be orchestrating a ten-man-band five years ago when he packed in…
This series isn't just for landscapers and gardeners starting out: it's also a refresher for existing…
Open forum activity
"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. "
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…
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…
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…
"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."
"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!!! "
"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…"
"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…"
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…"
"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:…"
https://www.mowerspareparts.co.uk/v/Etesia%20owners%20manual/Etesia...(early%20version)%20owners%20manual.pdf
or if any help, also the latter one:…"
"More good advice"
"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…"
At the end of the day it boils…"
"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. "
"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…"
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…"
"Yes I think most of the contributors on here make the bulk of their income from mowing on price work."
"Hi AG
Yes business costs just absorb turnover especially in the early days and I know from experience what a spreadsheet tells us we need to charge is not always reflected by what a customer is prepared to pay and we can end up living hand to mouth…"
Yes business costs just absorb turnover especially in the early days and I know from experience what a spreadsheet tells us we need to charge is not always reflected by what a customer is prepared to pay and we can end up living hand to mouth…"
Etesia Bahia hydro mbhe 2001
Hi guys - first post! I've got the above model and really struggling to find out how to check and replace the transmission oil. Just can't locate a dipstick or see how to check the level. If someone could point me in the right direction I'd be very…
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3 Replies
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Reply by Ian Harvey on Monday
Views: 87
How to make ends meet as a professional gardener
Hi all,I'm looking for a bit of advice really if anyone has any thoughts. I'm a mum to a young toddler so work part time and fit hours into nursery runs so for me it works well to have set regular hours at customers' gardens. Eg x2/3 hours a…
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Views: 563
Waste disposal
Hello all,Does anyone know where to dispose of soil in the Billingham / Teesside area?
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Views: 23
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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Views: 140
