Open Association of Landscape Industries
Easter's the start of the domestic gardening season
Although as professionals we know that gardening is a twelve month job and that the winter can often be as busy as the summer, today sees the traditional start of the domestic gardening season.
I suspect that the phones will ring an awful lot more next week than before this Easter weekend, as people tentatively venture out into their gardens to assess the winter's damage and begin to plan summer beddings schemes, replanting and general garden improvements.
For the professional, this holiday is a double edge sword; from a personal perspective it is a nice long weekend to look forward to but it was a break that we could ill afford in terms of getting behind on already scheduled work.
Maybe the cold and wet has done us all a favour this year to restrict grass an weed growth but when the sun does shine, keeping up with existing projects as well as accommodating new clients is a hellish nightmare.
How do you view the Easter break - a welcome respite in the middle of an already busy schedule or a stressful nuisance...how many of you and your employees are working/worked today?
I suspect that the phones will ring an awful lot more next week than before this Easter weekend, as people tentatively venture out into their gardens to assess the winter's damage and begin to plan summer beddings schemes, replanting and general garden improvements.
For the professional, this holiday is a double edge sword; from a personal perspective it is a nice long weekend to look forward to but it was a break that we could ill afford in terms of getting behind on already scheduled work.
Maybe the cold and wet has done us all a favour this year to restrict grass an weed growth but when the sun does shine, keeping up with existing projects as well as accommodating new clients is a hellish nightmare.
How do you view the Easter break - a welcome respite in the middle of an already busy schedule or a stressful nuisance...how many of you and your employees are working/worked today?
Replies to This Discussion
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
...and have a good weekend everyone:)
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Claire Brown on -
i've just presented a design plan and planting list this morning, and now I have the rest of the weekend off with family and friends.
I always plan in a break at Easter, even if it's only for 3-4 days, it means I can get in my garden and be ready to get back to planting and weeding next week.
At least now with it being light until later, I can do some work early evenings.
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Permalink Reply by Ian Power on -
I usually work through the holidays to make up for the inevitable wet days that mean you cant work. It also generally means your clients are around meaning you get to have a bit of a chat and discuss other possible work face to face rather than over the phone which always seems to work in your favour :) .
Should be working today but trapped a nerve in my back yesterday getting in the van after a days maintenance and cant move now.
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Permalink Reply by John on -
Ditto!!, - and also having to pay employees. And it is now raining here in sunny Devon.
I need a few more days to repair an injury, so I guess there is something positive about this weekend. lol
Pro Gard said:I loath bank holidays, always inconvenient and usually end up working a few Saturdays to play catch up.
Usually awful weather and everywhere is teaming with people so little point doing anything.
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Permalink Reply by The Perfumed Garden on -
Jill and I are both working (and watching bluetits nest) over the weekend but at the laptops not outside. Seeing a customer tomorrow to finalise details of a landscaping job to start in May.
I would like to get into our garden but might not get a chance.
Simon @ The Perfumed Garden
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Permalink Reply by Jez Wardman on
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Really don't like bank holidays at all and have never respected them. Even more confusing up here in Scotland as different regions and towns have different holidays.
Kids are off school today so I'm looking after them instead of working which is really frustrating as it's turned into a really nice day after a frosty start. Still at least my employee is out earning some money.
We will be working flat out on monday too as we try to get started on the mowing. If it's nice weather over the weekend no doubt everyone will be on the phone wanting the grass cut as soon as possible.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by jason fitzpatrick on -
yes, l work bank holidays to get the money earnt, saved up to see me through the slack winter months and also it keeps me regular with my mowing rounds which l do on monday and tuesdays
Been working today but got rained off and looks like more rain tomorrow as well so l,m going out down the pub tonight for a few beers and wont worry about work till monday :)
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Permalink Reply by Keith Barker on -
We're both working today and tomorrow - Anna's got four design consultations, and I'm writing garden specifications and tender documentation (which I hate!).
We have given ourselves Sunday and Monday off, then it's back to a garden build on Tuesday (if it's not under water).
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
I enjoyed working Good Friday - a bit like doing a hobby with a holiday feel to it - and then the Saturday.
Easter Sunday and Monday was usually off (but getting schedules sorted was a hard task on the Monday evening).
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Permalink Reply by Rob Glassborow on -
I worked yesterday, all the pubs want their beer gardens cut, and premium lawns generally want them cut for the easter weekend. I will take monday off though and get some planting underway on my allotment, and build some new carrot beds.
I find bank holidays a hurdle. Just when you are starting to get going after the winter and increase the cashflow, everything has to stop, including being able to pay funds in (however they still are able to go out!). In my last profession weekends and bank holidays were regarded as any other day, so I do cherish weekends, and bank holidays off. I like to sink a couple of ales, and catch up with the locals at our pub.
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Permalink Reply by Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt on -
Just went round to the coup at 7.30 this morning then finished an ivy removal job from during the week. Now the weekends mine. Worked Friday and working Monday though. Monday is a cracking job for us though - building some new timber steps down a steep embankment in a beautiful rural woodland garden. Something to look forward to.
I rarely work the weekends as a rule. When you work as hard as we do through the week the weekends are our own. Time to take a breath and actually live.
Oh yeah, going for a river walk and will be sinking a few ales this aftrenoon too!!
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