Surviving the winter gardening - Top 10 Tips

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Apologies for the dodgy sound for the first few mins...it does get better!

[@szymonburczyk4784]

Thanks

[@JR-yq5pg]

I've been a gardener for 18 years, made up my mind to try and avoid winter, it's a killer. Work abit longer in the summer to pay for it and just don't work it unless it's good earnings like tree work. Triangle of hope that gets me through is 1, stay dry. 2, stay warm. 3, stay fed. Hot food, good water proofs, and shelter! Try and have a fire every so often! Great video

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

That is three golden rules there JR, good stuff! I would like to get to the position where I can stay indoors Jan/Feb but with a mortgage to pay off its a no-go right now...but working hard on that so soon I hope to be able to! Thank for taking the time to comment sir

[@johnwignall5413]

I used to hate the Winter months, but as you get older you appreciate the reduced workload. After 2 months of raking mountains of leaves I need a break, it is a joy! Winter is when you can book in the landscaping work, particularly new planting on the sites you maintain, and suggest getting rid of high maintenance shrubs, to make the future maintenance easier, win, win!

[@gaurapms]

Agree with everything you say 100% I find as the summer autumn progresses I suggest things that I have seen that need doing and the customers tend to take that on board and keep you working through the winter period I am still at the moment working 5.5 day weeks right upto Xmas and into new year mainly due to me mainly me pointing out jobs the customers either hadn't noticed or didn't know needed doing, good video again.

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Hi Phil, Good to hear that you are so busy this time of year. Being proactive and suggesting jobs seems like its really working for you. Don't work too hard and have a good xmas

[@gaurapms]

Also think working alone is a love it or loath it situation personally I don't mind, music works wonders

[@redeeminggardens5985]

Super helpful info again as i watch for the 2nd year running...Missing your vids mate, trust you're doing well and would love to see more vids !

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Thanks for taking the time to comment sir! Business is well...just lost enthusiasm for the vids

[@onionthemillionairetrader7405]

@@westcountrygardenpro7535 Hey Simon, could you do a video on how the pandemic has effected gardening? I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts.

[@Kirbycuttings]

Great and valid points.... totally understand where your coming from. Ever thought of taken a labour on and make your money through the season? This is what we do, cramming so much work in and take the winter off as a holiday. Anything does come thru it’s a bonus 👍.

[@brettshorticulture2698]

Excellent video Simon. Couldn't agree more with what you discuss in this video. Winter can be a real sod for us gardeners but what you've mentioned is gold mate 👍 Very useful tips indeed ☺ Hope you're keeping well bud.

[@joemccole4065]

Going into my first winter , this video is very helpful. Ive never worked solely on my own before. At times the peace is lovely, but can be lonely. This You tube and Facebook groups help. Almost like work mates! Thanks for posting.

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Hi Joe. Good to hear you have started up now. Personally I like working on my own as quite content with my own company but it aint for everyone that for sure! All the best to you

[@josephmccole4132]

It funny that a year on I'm watching your video again Simon. My first year was great. I'm excited about the new year. Any videos in the pipeline? Happy Christmas and New year.

[@mowtownni4587]

What you project is what you get back, be that uniform, livered van, quality leaflets, good website. Extra services are important to make ends meet, your right about John Ryan, having met him he very much is the professional and I think that comes across with the customers and inspires confidence. Great video once again, love these work talks! If your not already get on Lawn care legends on Facebook, great bunch of guys.

[@mattfish7628]

As people have already said, I don't think we are recognised as a skilled trade because of the perception that all we do is cut grass and pull out weeds and anyone can do that, right?? As you well know that's not the case. Mowing a lawn correctly and knowing when not to go too short as there are 3 week's of baking sun imminent isn't interesting to your average person so they just scalp it. Like you mentioned in your video, when and how to prune or when to uproot and replant seems to be less valued by a lot of the general public as changing an egr valve or glossing a windowsill. I started in January after a change of career and have picked up quite a few people who do value what I have learnt over the years a hobbyist but I've had more people quibble about prices than I have saying "great, when can you start?" Keep up the good work pal and keep the videos coming👍

[@whitevoodooman7276]

Well said were treated like morons half the time as its just " grass cutting " an stuff

[@davidhamilton8068]

Love your vids mate you hit the nail on the head every time👍 i share your vids on our fb page, UK Garden maintenance community.🎅

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Thanks David

[@jimshanks3779]

Yes working for yourself is not always a BED OF ROSES, pardon the pun. Winter time is the most challenging, both physically and mentally. This year I have had a great increase of power washing work which helps immensely as we in N.Ireland have a lot of wet days. All the best for 2018. Regards Jim from J.S.G.S🚛🌳🍁🍂

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Thanks for taking the time to comment Jim. All the best, Simon

[@JohnsProjectBuild]

Fantastic video mate, your points are very articulate and bang on the nose. Thank you for the kind words, I focus on those 3 services as an exterior service that makes it easier to use one supplier than 3, so it takes a lot of effort to market that professionally and be different than the cheap boi's but with the right approach can be very profitable. Great video again mate 👍🏼👍🏼

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Hi John. You do what you do very well and I'm sure it's taken a lot of effort to get there. You are a great advert for our industry. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@wkb9683]

He pissed on you then you thank him for it. Protestant.

[@jasongardener3425]

Wise words ☺👍

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Cheers Jason

[@LHLgardenservices]

spot on matey.. we put an ad in a shop window once and got a few clients from it. HOWEVER... you could sence the lack of respect towards you as a professional gardener compared to those who got our services elsewhere. You feel they think you are working just for a pint. 🤣🤣🤣🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@jamesb8854]

LHL garden services uk this is so true! I advertise in a local magazine funded by the adverts (trades people) and is distributed to 1000s of homes. I get a much better quality client from this than from door to door leaflets (although I pay the price!)

[@LHLgardenservices]

James The Gardener yes mate...its just a case of trying both and deciding which works best 👍

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Yeah I agree, my experience has been the same. I don't think its a bad idea if you are just starting up and need work as it can be a cheap way to advertise, however as you progress (or get more picky), it aint so great

[@thegeordiefellwalker8878]

totally agree simon. when i started i had add in newsagents in sort of prestigious area.can't knock it . cheap way of getting out there & getting work which was my only aim at the time.(was switching career ) so was grateful of any work didn't matter where it came from.it was a stepping stone to better things . well said mate.

[@sionyevans]

No...larger gardens for the proper Gardener...but yeah you got to know your pricing..I'm struggling to do what's needed in time given..just not there enough..but job satisfaction..monthly direct debits or standing order off bigger gardens and cash/ cheque for everything else..bloody hard going though.workings the easy bit..great videos matey..

[@GaryChapmanUKGardening]

Great video mate...

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Thanks Gary

[@russelldownesdownes5618]

I have a gardening buisness and I do painting and decorating too for winter and very good at it to and attract the right customer. My customers are very happy with my work and they pass me on to other customers, so it’s building me a good customer base in both aspects. The only trouble I have is when customers want decorating done in summer when I’m really busy with the gardening it don’t mix and they won’t wait.

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Hi Russell. Sounds like you have got a good setup there and found the right balance which works for you! Bet you like being indoors this time of year. Thanks for taking the time to comment. All the best

[@rpmimprovementoutdoorservi9968]

Excellent points. Had a touch of the dull drums today as a matter of fact.

[@thegeordiefellwalker8878]

your arrangement of setting up payment over 12 month is also very professional on your behalf. even though your not actually earning more it sort of give a false sense of security of constant income. if that makes sense. most of my clients also facing small price rise next season. (my motto don't become a busy fool lol ) atb .

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Its something that works for me. Its something Ive had to tweak and change over time to really make it work smoothly. Good to hear from you

[@sionyevans]

How about day rates...yeah we're presuming your a qualified horticulture graduate..it's knowing why your doing what your doing... knowledge and passion..I couldn't agree better...big gardens totally different thing from maintenance gardener/landscaper types...no disrespect to any green fingered brothers..I treat every garden like my own...put heart n soul into developing and creating lovely gardens...GOT to know your plants well..and want to see them thriving and everything singing...got so much satisfaction because I've done it all my self...higher standards than the customer usually too .

[@paulbugden8573]

totally agree with you

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Cheers Paul

[@lincsfencingandgardeningse9128]

Someone really good points there fella. I find it I our city I'm fighting with the old boys working for beer money and charging £5_£8 an hr

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Plenty of them out there for sure

[@lincsfencingandgardeningse9128]

West Country Garden Pro your not kidding. One of my hopefully new customers has a gardener (72yrs old) calls him self a tidier upper. But the gardens a mess so not sure we're he's been. Lol

[@boris9742]

Sorry if I’ve missed it in your videos mate, but how do you work it when you miss a day due to snow or illness and clients are paying you standing order - do you then owe them a day? I’ve found this gets complicated if you fall behind - you end up working weekends and evenings which buggers up life outside of work... like your videos very much btw

[@martjadex]

Please make more videos!!!

[@williamwalsh8332]

How do you plan holiday when its just you doing the work ?

[@johnbates7971]

funny - I'm happy without music whilst working but can't stand silence when at home so need music on when reading or at pc. Otherwise great stuff. have you looked at joining The Gardeners Guild ?

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Already a member and regular contributor John! Hope you are well

[@williamwalsh8332]

Hi pal, i am thinking of going self employed, i work for a company now and do my own job in my own time to the point were i have a lot of work for myself but not enough if i was to go self employed now, also how do you work your holiday if your self employed and its just you on your own and no one to do the work when your on holiday?

[@westcountrygardenpro7535]

Just factor it in. Some gardeners take their time off in the winter (like I have this year), but to be honest mate just plan it when you want it....in advance if possible