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I try and make sure that I'm environmentally friendly as possible. I make do with a small van for fuel efficiency reasons, try and recycle all waste and buy the best power tools. Green issues will definitely take a back seat through the recession.
Peak Oil is forecast to hit within the next 10 years or so and our whole way of life will have to change and adapt.
There would be alot of wasted time traveling between jobs and would add extra stress and strain on the body which already gets put through enough on an average days graft !
I applaud those two guys for what they are doing though.
It is a great idea and would work in towns or on a large estates with work in close proximity.
I was at the same college as Ian ( the brighton cycling gardener ). He's great
Whilst initially I advertise as doing Garden Maintenance, most of my work ends up focusing on improving the design or planting of gardens. I focus on gardening organically and using permacuture principles in my work. Working more slowly, customers start taking an interest in their own gardens. I think it is great and without a van to maintain, my costs are significantly lower than my competitors.
If anyone needs anymore information, please contact me
Clive - The Caring Gardener
But....
Like has been said in the right place and for the style of work they do..good on 'em.
I do run my van on chip fat though & do offer smaller lawns the option of using a Brill Razor cut push pull mower for the green vote (though I must admit it never gets used ??).
Just to add to some of the comments, I've been going for nearly 2 years now and have had almost no probs at all. Mainly because I've, like Clive, made it clear from the start that I can't take away lots of waste, but the same as Clive, my customers are fine with that. And Norwich has recently introduced brown bins so many of them use those anyway. I do occasionally take waste away, and it still amazes me just how much you can get on a Carry Freedom trailer. Of course there's limits on what I can do, but all my tools fit easily on my trailer and give my legs a good work out which is probably a good warm-up before gardening itself! A lot of my customers simply need a hand in the garden and still do a certain amount themselves and I would never claim to be a high end gardener or landscaper.
As for being profitable, it is almost a fool proof business plan! My overheads are very small. My first few jobs I walked to with a spade and hand fork, until I'd earned enough to buy the trailer (approx £180). At the same time I stocked up on tools and really my only costs since then have been a new blade or bungee every now and then. This is great because I can keep my rates very reasonable and my costs down.
The reason I started in the first place was that after working for someone else and having seen how many jobs were delayed or canceled because of traffic, engine problems or other mechanical failures, i thought there must be a way of doing it without having that uncertainty and expense. The 'green' side of things is how I would want to run any business really, so the two went well together. I'm certainly not a looking-down-nose greeney-type and claim no moral high ground as some may think perhaps. It's just great being outside as I'm sure any member on here would agree!
With regards the cyclists being second class citizens comment, I'm not really sure this makes any difference. If anyone thinks that, I personally wouldn't want to work for them anyway. Most gardeners would probably agree that there are enough gardens around to leave the ones with mean owners to tend for themselves..!
josh :)
I use a car now and do a lot more design as opposed to maintenance; but just last week I was recalling those days of trundling around with my wheelie-tool-bag and wondering how on earth I did it!!
I completely agree with the sentiment of the 'cycling gardening', but god it's hard work!
Great to hear the views of Josh, Clive and Charlotte (tool bag on wheels on the tube..hat's off to you, I can imagine the funny looks) I'm really taken by the idea, so much so there are at least a couple of customers who I can cycle to, ditch the van for a day. Also won't have to faff about with parking meters ! another plus
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