Whether you see yourself as the next Capability Brown or you model yourself on Alan Titchmarsh, turning your gardening hobby into a landscaping business could be a lucrative – and satisfying move.
Since lockdown Brits have found a new appreciation for their gardens and have spent £3.7bn collectively on transforming their outside spaces.
So why not showcase your skills and help homeowners by transforming their gardens into an oasis of escapism.
Understand what the job entails
Doing an odd bit of weeding or pruning is completely different to working day in and day out outside.
Whether you choose to work with residential or commercial clients, or both, generally, the majority of work is undertaken in the summer months.
But it’s not just the ability to design and create stylish, yet functional spaces that fit a client’s brief, as a landscape gardener you’ll be responsible for budgeting, calculating costs, ensuring a project is run to schedule, work out accurate estimates for clients, and most importantly find business.
While there’s no formal qualification required for becoming a landscape gardener, it’s always worth taking courses to help expand your knowledge.
Having an understanding and passion for all areas of landscaping is important for success.
Plan for the seasons
Landscape gardening is a highly seasonal profession with the majority of the practical work taking place in summer, while the winter is left for planning.
If you’re intending to only have residential clients, you may find that in the winter months you might have to supplement your income by taking on another job during the colder months.
It’s important that when you set your price points that you take into account the seasonality of the job and charge accordingly. It could be that in the summer when demand is higher you charge more and come winter you charge less.
Get insurance
Insurance is a key consideration for every business, including landscape gardeners. Whether you plan on employing someone to help or not, you’ll want to start with public liability as a bare minimum.
This will cover you against claims arising from injury or damage suffered by a member of the public.
Invest in tools
In order to be a successful landscaping gardener you’ll need the tools to help you complete the job.
From shovels and sheers, to watering cans and blow torches, you’ll need a whole host of tools that can help you tackle even the most neglected garden.
When you first start out it can be tempting to get the biggest and the best, but it’s important to buy the best quality tools that your budget will allow and maintain them.
Then, over time, as your business grows you can upgrade your tools.
