(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
tbi (4)
(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
Nick Milne is a co-director of Southern Landscape Contracts Ltd SLC based in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire.
SLC is a young company with big ambitions and already operates extensively around many regions of southern England with depots in Hampshire and B
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
"Thankfully, the 'making tax digital' does not apply to 'Partnerships'. At least not for the foreseeable future anyway."
Not sure if this is in the right group, and I'm not in the profession just a customer who hasn't had a good experience looking for some advice.I had somw artificial grass laid at the end of summer 2025. Just a few days later there was a heavy storm.…
"Good grief... are you getting £800 a day?? I'm doing this all wrong!! I'm guessing that £200 would soon go up dramatically though once you've a couple of thefts. Then there's the time/hassle involved getting the van repaired and sourcing…"
"Personally I wouldn't employ someone with .magnetic signs it's got dodgy written all over it you see lots of vans with them on that have shal we say undesirables driving.
Just insure your van it only adds £200 a year to your insurance quarter of a…"
Just insure your van it only adds £200 a year to your insurance quarter of a…"
"You're right, they are well used. Still work fine though and thoroughly well looked after. We always sell on our kit when getting new, that's one of the reasons we always buy good stuff as it's easier to move on again when we no longer need it. They…"
"Have a look at Zoho Books. They have a dedicated sole trader MTD section, and although I haven't used their MTD bit yet, their standard sole trader software is very easy to use and very intuitive, and Free if turnover less than £50k.…"
Clearly we're all coming under closer scrutiny by the inland revenue and being given extra homework 4 times a year. As we all want to do the right thing, what are the best HMRC recommended making tax digital providers for us sole traders? Thanks
"good luck with the sale. I think you'd do best on Ebay though.............. I'm sure these are fine however I'd guess anyone here would be very wary about buying anything that had been used commercially..... I certainly would be. A years…"
"I had magnetic signs in the past. I have been thinking about getting more though they do damage paint work.
There are alternatives. There's magnetic signs you can have cut into a more pleaseing shape, there is also stickers.
I normally advise by…"
There are alternatives. There's magnetic signs you can have cut into a more pleaseing shape, there is also stickers.
I normally advise by…"
Hi all,Selling off a couple of our battery hedge cutters so thought we may as well pop them on here too. They are:HSA 94t 30" £175HSA 86 £125Or £250 for both.Both just been serviced.Also have one HLA 66 which the motor needs replacing and anyone…
"Hi folks
Thanks for all the replies. All excellent and positive advice. Definitely swung it for me; I'll be sending my advertising budget in a different direction.
Best advice Ive recieved trom the mighty LJN Collective.
Keep on keeping on. …"
Thanks for all the replies. All excellent and positive advice. Definitely swung it for me; I'll be sending my advertising budget in a different direction.
Best advice Ive recieved trom the mighty LJN Collective.
Keep on keeping on. …"
"snap... exactly what I did, and it worked for me too"
"I don't think the signs ever got me any work but Instead I went to a gallery and bought some very nice good quality small art cards in packs with relevant images of plants and gardens .
I then selected suitable gardens near where I was working ,…"
I then selected suitable gardens near where I was working ,…"
"Hi Julian
I had them initially but they attracted the wrong sort of attention .
My van was broken into on Three seperate occasions and the total cost of theft 9 k worth of equipment .
On one occasion someone I suspect kids coming out of the…"
I had them initially but they attracted the wrong sort of attention .
My van was broken into on Three seperate occasions and the total cost of theft 9 k worth of equipment .
On one occasion someone I suspect kids coming out of the…"
Artificial grass issue
Not sure if this is in the right group, and I'm not in the profession just a customer who hasn't had a good experience looking for some advice.I had somw artificial grass laid at the end of summer 2025. Just a few days later there was a heavy storm.…
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1 Reply
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Reply by PETER C 2 hours ago
Views: 21
Making Tax Digital
Clearly we're all coming under closer scrutiny by the inland revenue and being given extra homework 4 times a year. As we all want to do the right thing, what are the best HMRC recommended making tax digital providers for us sole traders? Thanks
Read more…
Views: 40
Stihl Battery Hedge Cutters for Sale
Hi all,Selling off a couple of our battery hedge cutters so thought we may as well pop them on here too. They are:HSA 94t 30" £175HSA 86 £125Or £250 for both.Both just been serviced.Also have one HLA 66 which the motor needs replacing and anyone…
Read more…
Views: 45
Magnetic signage for vans
Hi AllWhat are member's experiences of magnetic signage gor vans. I appreciate that the name and nature of the business will be free advertising but the flip side of this is advertising a cache of gardening tools available to plunder. Will this…
Read more…
Views: 234
