Local Gardener

07/03/2026

Attention Gardeners 🌱

If you haven’t reviewed your prices yet, now is the time.

Before 1st April, take a look at your rates and make sure you’re increasing them at least in line with RPI (Retail Price Index). That simply means adjusting your prices to keep up with inflation so you’re not earning less each year while your costs go up.

Fuel, tools, insurance, waste disposal, and vehicle costs have all risen. If your prices stay the same, your profit quietly disappears.

Even a small adjustment makes a difference over the season.

Example:
£40 job → RPI increase (around 4%) → £41.60

It may not sound like much, but across a full week or year it protects your business.

Professional gardeners should charge professional rates.

Don’t leave it another year.
Review your prices and update your clients before April 1st.

Good gardeners deserve good pay. 🌿

06/03/2026

23/02/2026

⏰ Time is running out to cut your hedges! Prune now before the nesting season begins, or you could disturb birds and their nests. Cutting at the right time keeps your hedges healthy and safe for wildlife. Don’t leave it too late!

20/02/2026

Does Your Wife or Partner Work With You in Your Gardening Business? 🌿

If she does — even part-time — you could be losing out on serious tax savings!

Running a limited company lets you split income through dividends, using both Personal Allowances. This can save thousands of pounds compared to being a sole trader. 💰

Sole traders can’t do this easily — all profit is yours, unless you pay a proper salary (and National Insurance).

✅ Even occasional help counts. Properly structured, it boosts your household take-home pay.

Read the full guide https://localgardener.org/sole-trader-gardener-vs-limited-company-tax-advantages-explained-uk/

28/01/2026

Is it too early to Start Cutting Grass?

A bit of sunshine appears and suddenly lawns are getting scalped.

Grass doesn’t grow by the calendar — it grows when the soil warms up.

If you cut too early:
❌ The ground is often wet and easily compacted
❌ Roots get damaged
❌ Grass weakens, letting moss and weeds in

You’re ready to mow when:
✔️ Grass is clearly growing
✔️ It needs cutting again within a week
✔️ The lawn springs back underfoot
✔️ The surface is dry, not soft

👉 First cut - set the mower high and just take the tips off. Never remove more than a third of the height.

If it looks messy but isn’t growing — leave it alone.
Read more https://localgardener.org/when-to-start-cutting-grass-and-why-getting-it-right-matters/

23/01/2026

Should your gardening business be offering robot mower hire?

Robot mowers aren’t “the future” anymore — they’re already in gardens up and down the country. The real question is whether gardeners should be involved… or left watching from the sidelines.

More clients are asking for:
✔ predictable monthly costs
✔ quieter, low-maintenance lawns
✔ fewer visits but better results

Some gardeners are responding by renting robot mowers, others by offering managed lawn subscriptions, where the robot does the cutting and the gardener stays in control of the quality.

Done right, it can mean:
• recurring monthly income
• less wear on your body
• fewer weekly mowing visits
• a stronger long-term relationship with clients

Done badly… it’s just an expensive toy gathering dust in the shed.
Interested in the business models? Read the full article here https://localgardener.org/future-proofing-your-gardening-business-should-you-offer-a-robot-mower-rental-scheme/

22/01/2026

Fed up with UK gardening? Ever thought about working in Dubai? 🌞

Endless rain, slow-growing plants, and low pay got you down? Maybe it’s time to take your gardening skills somewhere hotter — literally!

From tropical palms to luxury resort landscapes, Dubai offers tax-free salaries, visa sponsorship, and year-round sunshine… but it’s not all roses. Extreme heat, high-maintenance plants, and cultural adjustments make it a challenge.

Curious? We’ve put together a practical guide on what it’s really like to work in horticulture in Dubai — plus pros, cons, visa info, and tips on where to start your job search.

👉 Read the full guide here: https://localgardener.org/fed-up-with-gardening-in-the-uk-have-you-thought-about-working-in-dubai/

21/01/2026

Thinking of going self-employed as a gardener? Read this first.

I see a lot of gardeners eager to go solo as soon as they’ve got a few tools and some regular work. And I understand the appeal – freedom, better pay, being your own boss.

But here’s my honest opinion, based on years in the trade:
👉 most gardeners should work for an established company first.

Not because self-employment is a bad idea – far from it – but because going into it too early can be financially and physically brutal, and many don’t see the reality until it’s too late.

I’ve written an opinion piece in the paper explaining:
✔️ what self-employment really involves
✔️ why gardening skill alone isn’t enough
✔️ and why an established company is often the best training ground

📖 Read the full article here: https://localgardener.org/why-i-believe-you-should-work-for-an-established-gardening-company-before-going-self-employed/

20/01/2026

Are you seeing ads like this and you want one for your business? It’s really simple. You need to get the chatgpt app. Then just type in exactly what you want ie services, phone number, business name etc and it will create it for you. The ad is copyright free for you to use anywhere. Don’t get left behind. https://localgardener.org/

16/01/2026

5 things gardeners often get wrong about contracts 🌱

Contracts don’t have to be complicated, but skipping the basics causes more problems than most gardeners realise.

Here are five common mistakes I see all the time:

1️⃣ Relying on a handshake
It feels old-school and friendly, but memories change. Written agreements protect both sides.

2️⃣ Being vague about the work
“General maintenance” means different things to different people. If it’s not written down, it’s open to interpretation.

3️⃣ Not agreeing payment terms upfront
Late payment usually starts with unclear terms. Price, timing, and method should never be assumed.

4️⃣ Starting work before anything is agreed
Once the job’s done, it’s much harder to argue your case if expectations weren’t clear.

5️⃣ Never reviewing the agreement
Gardens change. Workloads grow. Prices rise. Old agreements can quietly cost you money.

Contracts aren’t about mistrust — they’re about clarity, professionalism, and fewer awkward conversations.

If you’ve ever been caught out by any of these, you’re not alone.
Read the full article https://localgardener.org/top-5-mistakes-gardeners-make-with-gardening-contracts/