The Worst UK Gardening Season Ever? This Weather!

[@stephenwilliams4770]

Hi Rob thanks for the video's I really enjoy them. I am a full time self employed gardener, for years I have only used Etesia lawn mowers, they do cut wet grass and bag. But any mower is only as good as the maintenance it gets from yourself. So here are a few tips I have learnt over the years on how to keep a mower going in the wet. End of a wet day, clean the bottom of the mower and the bag with pressure washer, make sure the air can travel through the bag. Sharpen your blade often, I sharpen once every two weeks. On a wet morning before you start spray the bottom of the deck with WD40 it is a water displacer so will help to stop the grass from sticking. Cut the grass one setting higher at the front and one or two at the back, if the lawn is mossy you will need to lift the back two notches, as the wet moss will make a seal on the bottom of the mower and stop air being drawn in to send the grass into the box. Empty the box often, even if it only quarter full, wet grass will collect on the bottom of your box rather than been blown right to the back so always empty often to make room for the next cut to keep the lawn clean, once you finished you may have to quickly run over the laps to pick up the occasional bit. And last if you just cannot get nice dry weather and if you leave the gardens undone you will just lose all the work you have put into the lawn so far, with the agreement of the owner, cut the lawn without the box, the cuttings will wilt and become less to collect later, get the back of the lawn mower high to get that air in, this is a short term solution you will have to return as soon as you can to clean up, but if you leave grass go long and it gets seriously wet it will just go flat on the ground, this is worse case senario of course. When to stop when it is wet, when the wheels of your lawn mower is leaving soil stained strips, get off the lawn asap, that as much as you can do. Thanks again Rob.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Brilliant thank you . 🙏

[@adamstockton67]

Fingers crossed for you Rob. Sharpe blades and a good second half.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Fingers crossed.🤞

[@scalestuff1066]

16 years gardening now, and agree with you its been a crap start and end of the year, needs to break to get a bit in at the end for the leaner winter months

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Spot on

[@johnsweeney1712]

Great video. Keep up the good work.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks, will do!

[@malcolmscobie4701]

The horrendous start to the season started last autumn. Its been a shocking year for us all. Keep smiling.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers.

[@simonsunderland1114]

100% agree

[@bradleywright5707]

I mow in rain regardless the only time I won’t is when there is standing water or if the ground it that wet that the wheels are leaving mud trails. I’ve barely had any customer question me mowing in the rain and when they do they trust what I say. You can still do a tidy job if it’s wet, may take more time and be abit of messing around emptying baskets and whatnot. That way their lawn doesn’t get over grown and I don’t lose out on any money

[@jameswyeth8223]

Great video Rob, going forward I'm only looking to take on weekly work now, the weather is only going to get more extreme and unpredictable, and like you say trying to fit people back in the schedule when its weekly/ monthly/ fortnightly is a ball ache. Also its a nightmare trying to take a few days break, much easier with weekly 👍

[@chrisstarks8545]

Hi Rob, I've been watching your videos for a couple of months and really dig what you have to say. I'm a self employed gardener in SW Scotland and the weather here has been abysmal...so much rain. I recently picked up a 2nd hand etesia 46. Wow, blown away. Cutting in the rain, and it packs the grass in. Long may it last. Wishing you all the best. Next week looks canny ☀️☀️

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for sharing

[@lancerichardmorton1981]

Excellent update Rob This is year 10 for me this year and its been difficult I've not had an easy season so far and now with kids off school I've had to take days off for childcare which has upset a few customers. We all do our best but sometimes it's just not good enough for certain customers. Have a good week Rob. 😉

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

You’re spot on with this. People can be difficult. All the best.

[@DarrenDay-l7h]

I'm with you Rob never had such a wet start to a season I'm working 7 days aweek just to catch up and then get o top of the hedges like yourself I'm knackered but it's the stress of running your own business which alot of people don't understand but as you say you just got to keep plugging away and eventually were get on top of everything keep up the good work 👏

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you 🙏

[@ianeglintine882]

Great words of wisdom mate .....mower will be getting mini service as per tip 👍🏼

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks 👍

[@christopherhughes3029]

Well done for being so positive Rob. Giving hope to us all. Chris.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Chris.

[@jaydogarmy]

I'm in my 4th year, and I'm not going to lie, I've been close to giving up. I've had multiple van breakdowns costung a fortune, two weeks off with flu, broke a French window in a freak accident, and of course the rain. Things are starting to look up, though, and the money is finally coming in rather than out. It is stressful, and we've all had a tough year, but it will only make us stronger. Great advice on the mower blades! I had a new sharpening tool delivered yesterday, so perfect timing 👍🏼 will also pressure wash the bag!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Sorry to hear that. Good luck going forward.

[@jaydogarmy]

@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Thanks Rob 👍🏼

[@shaunp221]

First season for me this year on the tools and blimey hasn't it been tough to keep the schedule rolling with all this shocking weather rob! One thing I have to add - do you find some customers just don't get you're pricing for certain jobs and expect an hourly rate? When I first started at the top of the year I used to charge an hourly figure and then seperate costs for waste away etc. It wasn't until I spoke to many local gardeners and worked out that pricing different jobs at different prices was the way to earn money in a short season for us - since changing my pricing I get more customers than not mis-understanding that I don't set an hourly rate - they just can't phathom it. I've had to drop customers who expect an hourly rate now, and I'm much happier with better customers for it! Keep up the videos mate, all the best, Shaun.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Price per job. Not per hour. Good luck 🤞

[@mikeroutledge6929]

I feel your pain Rob, ive been at this nearly 30 years, totally reliant on the weather, keep your chin up

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Mike.

[@moorgunandmarshes]

Nah, Last year was the worst down here. Rain, rain and more rain and that then led to water logging that ran through till early this season. I had a similar year many moons ago ( which was my worst, with one round rained on 12 visits out of 17 ! ) But the water logging made last year top it. Over the 30+ years I've been doing it the growing seasons have moved to the point you can't structure the grass, shrubs and hedges into a nice pattern. Now you have to just go out and do everything you can when the weather gives you the opportunity. If you can do it do it, don't put it off till next visit, that has been my saving grace. The other thing I did was structure the rounds to only have the number of customers I could do on a wet day not on a dry day, this takes away the stress and gives you an early finish on a good day, which in a long season you appreciate. The other thing is if you can't laugh in the face of adversity don't be a gardener in the UK, oh and learn to say No.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Wise words, thank you .

[@piee683]

Here in Ireland I’ve never witnessed a summer like it. I’ve religiously gone from may,June to late September without need for heating but now it’s on every second night

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

It’s been horrible.👍🏻

[@Acridblue999]

One of the worst ever Seasons Ive witnessed doing gardening maintenance. Its been cold wet and miserable weather since March. Maybe August will improve...hope so!

[@grahamcolquhoun2295]

Hi Rob, did I hear you say your yearly hedge cut ? Most of my customers want there hedges cutting once a month, they like them neat and tidy all year long, which I encourage because on days I can’t cut grass I always have something to do, your right though this year has been a nightmare Good luck man keep posting videos, I know it must take a lot of time and energy, but I for one enjoy your point of view thank you

[@sixtysecondsofstephens2386]

Really enjoying your videos, they just popped up on my KZbin the other month and I'm watching them bit by bit. I was thinking do your £25 £35 cuts include getting rid of the grass yourself or is that using the customers compost heap or green bin ? Or is there an extra charge you put on the quote for disposal. Thanks for the help. Joe.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Taking away waste is expensive. Try and use the customers green waste bin. Good luck.

[@sixtysecondsofstephens2386]

@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices thanks for the info

[@MulletAndMuscle]

Rain for forecast pretty much every day next week. Had about £1000 in van and machine repairs / buying replacement equipment. I wish I chose a career that wasn’t weather dependent

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I hope things improve soon.👍🏻

[@thegeordiefellwalker8878]

frustrating to say the least. haven't had a dry border all year 🥴

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Lest hope for some dry weather.

[@steveshields5018]

Hiya Rob,as always I watch each and everyone of your posts and love em all.Im 63 in August and now coming into my 3rd year and it’s been a massive struggle especially this year but I have a great client base,not huge but big enough to cope with and very understanding with regards to the awful weather we’ve had but now it’s hit 30 degrees in the midlands 🥵🥵🥵🥵 bloody hell you just can’t win,but onwards and upwards at least I’m now getting a tan 😂😂😂

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers Steve.

[@alwyndavies7459]

It’s the normal wet cold summer weather here in West Wales! I’m keeping on top of the lawns but the amount of customers who want big hedge work done is wearing me out this year. Think I need to just focus on lawns next year. I might be less knackered all the time then!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Sounds great!

[@royalherbs]

good effort Royal like the Tshirt

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you .🙏

[@Bradzlfc89]

Last year was 10x worse than this in my opinion, remember how much it rained , never know grass grown so quick

[@kevb9288]

Lol I was thinking the same, weather's mad this year also not seem many bees or wasps this year normally get hundreds don't think I've seen 10 this year

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I will be looking now.

[@Grahams-Grass]

😂 23c you lucky sod it's been 30c in Notts today 🥵🥵 . Not done to bad lost a day here and there but it happens and it will happen again. How you have changed 😂telling us not to get stressed 😂😂 love it ... keep on mowing 🤠🤠 p.s deffinitly not the worst season.. I guess it just depends where you are in the country I carnt even imagine how they cope in Scotland they have had it real bad this year

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Made me laugh 😆

[@StuartBaillie-q2d]

Cutting wet grass is usually only an issue in spring and autumn when the ground is soft and muddy. Summer just crack on and get wet. It has been unusually cool and grey though which is a bit depressing, and spring was awful. Fingers crossed for a good end of summer and autumn.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great point!

[@Steven-jn2cw]

I've heard Etesia Pro 46 Mowers can still mow well in the wet

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

They can but the finish isn’t great. 👍🏻

[@whatdoyousaymrwilson]

Guess youve had it much worse there, its not been too bad here in Northamptonshire, the worst i can remember was probably 2012 when it seemed to just rain constantly that was a challenging year! Mind you i was moaning today because it was too hot for me you can't win. 21 degrees with a bit of sun is my ideal!

[@carlatkins9096]

Not been too bad here in cov either lol

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you 👍🏻

[@betterlawns4u]

Rob. Right now I'm thinking if this is going to be my last season before I throw my hand in after almost nine years The weather over the last few years, not just this year, has been awful. I really am thinking of retraining and doing something else for a few years until I'm 60 when I can hopefully finish all work for good.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I hear what you’re saying. Fingers crossed for a massive improvement.

[@Jazzy-l8z]

Hi rob, firstly thank you for doing the help. Cracking video as always. You had me in stitches 😂 I feel exactly the same. However as it's my third season and iv picked up so much value from the likes of yourself it's been the best so far in terms of work barring the weather. Just bought a new mower and it's boosted my efficiency and confidence. I bought it second hand but it had never been used.£290 bargain. Honda izzy self propelled. Love it. I made my money back in just over two days. Iv got my eye on a leaf blower because my back hurts from all the sweeping. Any advice on which to invest in. A cheap petrol one off amazon or should I aim higher in terms of quality and price. I have a plug in electrical one but that's providing I have access to the customers electric and when I do the extension cord and wires are an absolute nightmare. I appreciate if your too busy to reply. Best wishes.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

The best blower is the husqvarna bx 525. 👍🏻

[@Jazzy-l8z]

@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Just to let you know iv got a big smile upon my face. Thankyou Rob.....you know what I'm about to do now! Let me go have a chat with Google 😄 totally made up. Il let you know how we get on. I believe in you its the best but is the best price 😂 ✌️

[@Roots_to_Revenue]

Rob, have you thought about Groundsfest any more? It would be an easy way to get you onto the show...

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Sorry I missed your call. Not going to grounds fest. Need to work. All the best and enjoy grounds fest.

[@benluis5445]

I've been doing this since lock down now and I've had to let people go as I've turned up either people done there own lawns or heages so frustrating gates locked late payments etc so ive been in a state for a few months now rushing around like a chicken go 2 or 3 bad Google reviews this year saying I'm a let down as I can please every one as this is growing out of control 😅

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

People can be a pain in the back side.

[@benluis5445]

@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices definitely it's only a service I did 3 Comercial ones and it payed as just the same as 6 per day and I was done in half the time I think going forward I will be taking Comercial only for a bit and see if that helps my schedule and stress 🤣👍

[@treecutter1806]

Great down south the hedge growth is unreal no money in grass cutting this year

[@simonsunderland1114]

agree the hedges are shooting up in Eastbourne and the grass is still growing

[@amgdigitalservices]

Are we back to more stress again- 2nd September and I’m nearly 2 weeks behind again!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Keep trying your best, that’s all we can do.

[@AndyJ5431]

That was my rainy day job last week Bob, sharpen blades and oil changes all round, so I’ve been ready to go when the sun shines this week and I don’t have to work at the weekend.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Good luck with the season Andy.

[@mariepownall6629]

Hi Rob Weather not much better here but we’re part time. Food - give Michael Mosley’s Fast 800 a go You can do it on the basis of 5:2 days Or 7:7 Or any combination after a couple of weeks Weight drops off , you may find you sleep better & aches/ pain disappears No gyms needed here ! Just the Grassbusting .. - husband David is almost 1 stone down since 1 at June - 2 pounds to go

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you, I will have a look.

[@bobbelsekwol]

Absobloodylutley right. I've been pressure washing and cutting back hedges in the rain. Then cutting grass if it dries out a bit. It's all back to front! Just bought a mower blade sharpener for use with an angle grinder. It's so much better and more consistent. Thoroughly recommend it.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you. 🙏

[@Barrackas]

This summers been horrendous. I made the decision weeks ago to grit my teeth and keep cutting lawns whether its pouring down or not. Hard going on me and the mowers but what can you do !

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Great attitude

[@andrewthomas2406]

Can honestly say i am having a great mowing season here in Manchester (rainy city).ive got plenty of work.and the etesia mower i have has been demoted to the back of shed as i believe it or not now use gardenline mowers,they cut brilliantly in the wet and have descent briggs engines.yes i cant believe it after using etesias for god knows how many years .as they say dont knock it til youve tried it

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Pleased your doing well Andrew

[@paulchandleredge2edge582]

I 2nd that Rob. It's been a proper b#ll-ache

[@tonycritcher3419]

'Whether the weather be fine or whether the weather be not......' I never believe what the forecasters say, we get drenched then frazzling hot!

[@robdurham5024]

Yeah been a crap season but when i started late 80s we used to lose work with the grass being scorched on a regular basis evry season i think the rain is the new norm for years to come

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree, all the best.

[@Wayne-wm6wq]

I just said today to a customer I thought last year was bad but for me this is the worst been doing this 8 or 9 years

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree ☝️

[@Frazercuts]

farmers here in devon plate metre there grass. june/july have been the slowest grass growth in 20 years

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Growing fast in the north east 😂

[@neilward8545]

The weather has been horrendous but the green gold has gone made this season, thanks to my Etesia I’ve not missed any cuts this season.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Top man.

[@geraintthomas1027]

I know the feeling Rob had like 6 different seasons of the year in one day here in wales today 😂😂

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Wales does get some tough weather. 🌦️

[@AB-dh5ip]

Surely wet weather is good as the grass keeps growing so more work 🙂

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Not this much 😂

[@79casual]

Weather as been shite, been going 13 years and it’s my busiest yet, I can’t keep up with the demand so can’t complain

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Brilliant 🤩

[@garyharper1094]

Try being a window cleaner mate. Done nothing but rain. Today has been nice tho.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Keep moving forward.

[@JamesGriffiths-k7b]

It's not been that bad here (we work in Wiltshire and Oxfordshire). In fact we're on track for our highest turnover ever. Not sure how that translates into profit yet though 🤔

[@gunton21]

We're warwickshire and it hasn't been to bad either, the rain we've had has come at night.

[@JamesGriffiths-k7b]

@@gunton21 Perfect, just like Camelot! 😁

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Pleased to hear that.

[@robertclarkson3499]

Still raining in ireland 😅

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Sorry to hear that.

[@CharlesDoogan]

Can you have too many lawns to cut

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Not really. 😂

[@trevordenison1977]

I can honestly say after 35 years in the Landscape industry, 32 of those being my own boss, this has been the worst summer I've ever known! The cold/rain and windy weather has been unprecedented, so much for global warming!! 🤔🙄

[@theewhaler]

maybe learn the difference between climate and weather. Just a thought

[@TomMac1]

I think you need to do a bit of research and try to understand it a bit better. Scientists have been saying for years that as a result of global warming, ireland and the uk will experience much colder summers. Very unpredictable weather, last July to April this year, raining every day

[@JamesGriffiths-k7b]

The oceans are warming up year on year. That means more water evaporates, becomes clouds. Result, more rain, wind, and more snow storms in winter.

[@scotttarry4909]

Here we go with the global warming bull. Earth has been hotter than this, colder than this it goes in waves and it always will. There will be ice ages there will be wild fires there will be extreme times. It has happened before we were here and it will happen after were all gone.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I hope things improve soon.

[@waynehammerton5698]

There isn't a single thing we can do about the weather Rob look after yourselves won't you buddy

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Wayne.👍🏻

[@waynehammerton5698]

My pleasure as always Rob

[@Ppp-kk6hw]

The grass will still be there tomorrow, so dont worry have a curry 😂

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Brilliant

[@ianv7902]

Met Office admits spraying skies Richard Vobes 217K subscribers

[@Wayne-wm6wq]

They have been for years chemtrails and that's the climate change shite they come out with love vobes have you seen the video how to not pay your bills I haven't paid for year's water TV haven't paid gas electricity for just over a year now just started with the c tax oh and haven't paid tax either mate

[@alanwilson9664]

Rob the weather in North East England is one of the main reasons we do 99% commercial / industrial work Generally get away with cutting in wet etc then if too bad onto hedges and shrubs Biggest problem we have this year is keeping on top of the weed spraying. Fingers crossed for drier rest of the season - not holding my breath thou 😂😂

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers Alan.

[@MarksGrassCuttingServices]

Hello Rob. Thank you for the video. Yes its been very challenging season. Its been a strange season but I guess that's climate change for you. Keep it up Rob. Thanks again. Mark

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Mark.

[@editname2181]

Questions is checkatrade worth it? In need of more customers what else is the best way to advertise the business? Thanks 👨‍🌾

[@whatdoyousaymrwilson]

I personally found business cards/flyers work well, go for a good quality thicker card type not these glossy thin things you see. Get a load printed up and you can target the more affluent areas with nicer properties, if the cards are nice people will often keep them for future needs. You can also hand them out to potential customers and pin them on notice boards in villages, shops etc with permission. I've found they work well for me.

[@whatdoyousaymrwilson]

Vistaprint was the company I used, I got a nice coloured garden themed one

[@Wayne-wm6wq]

​@@whatdoyousaymrwilson I found make your phone number bigger on your card as the elderly can't see the number and just throw them away

[@philleggitt3005]

@@whatdoyousaymrwilson I found that putting my full address on my cards, became a talking point for the people i met and gave them to, so where do you live was the talking point, you expect to be trusted in their domain, so trust them with your address i walked around my local villages, 3 within 2 miles from home for 3 saturdays filled my book....

[@whatdoyousaymrwilson]

@@Wayne-wm6wq Good point

[@garyharper1094]

Try being a window cleaner mate. Done nothing but rain. Today has been nice tho.