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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Graeme @ BGS on December 21, 2009 at 13:34

Here is their Webite link http://www.thegardenersguild.co.uk/

And Gary is also a member of LJN

http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profile/TheGardenersGuild

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Permalink Reply by Gareth on December 21, 2009 at 14:00

Thanks,

I think I've been getting my guilds mixed up - there's also the professional gardeners guild?;

http://www.pgg.org.uk/

Graeme @ BGS said:

Here is their Webite link http://www.thegardenersguild.co.uk/

And Gary is also a member of LJN

http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profile/TheGardenersGuild

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Graeme @ BGS on December 21, 2009 at 14:06

The PGG seems cheap to join but a little worried about the joining requirements as it implies rather grandly the need for 5 years full-time practical working experience in historic, heritage or botanic gardens etc... Could give the wrong impression?

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Permalink Reply by Gareth on December 21, 2009 at 14:20

It (the PGG) states one of its aims is to promote gardening as a profession, yet as you say if you havent worked 5 years full-time in historic, heritage or botanic gardens you aren't eligible. Seems to be pretty elitist.

Graeme @ BGS said:

The PGG seems cheap to join but a little worried about the joining requirements as it implies rather grandly the need for 5 years full-time practical working experience in historic, heritage or botanic gardens etc... Could give the wrong impression?

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gardens4u.co.uk on January 10, 2010 at 0:19

not on here !

Stuart Marler said:

So, still no one replies about benefits/drawbacks, experience.

They both can't have many members then!?

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Permalink Reply by Busy Bee Garden Services Limited on January 10, 2010 at 8:45

I was thinking of joining a professional body but there seems to be a few out there, I really wanting it to reassure potential clients that I am someone who knows something about gardening etc but the problem lies in that most customers would of never of heard of most or any of them. Something I have been thinking about for ages but still not made a decsion!

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Permalink Reply by Busy Bee Garden Services Limited on January 10, 2010 at 11:06

Thats exactly what I was thinking of using some sort of badge that makes you stand out and look like an expert. Thanks.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on January 10, 2010 at 11:32

Hi Tim

Joining any kind of organisation does not instantly make you more qualified or a better business than you are, prior to joining.

If you already have undertaken training and gained qualifications then LJN provides you with the facility to upload copies of any certificates or opportunity to list anything that a client might use as a benchmark when choosing you over any other land-based contractor.

If you use this site regularly in conjunction with the voluntary customer charter, it can go along way towards building an independently strong brand on which your client may gain trust.

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Permalink Reply by Busy Bee Garden Services Limited on January 10, 2010 at 11:51

Thats also a good idea, this cold snap although bad in terms of earnings is useful in developing and growing the business.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Pip Howard on January 10, 2010 at 12:43

The PGG are much more geared for estate gardeners, for example if searching for work through 'greycoat placements' or similar for full time contracts on large gardens / estates, PGG membership is a sought after accreditation.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gardens4u.co.uk on January 10, 2010 at 14:27

I have found after research of all the Accreditation Schemes NONE cover the following :

1. Someone who can lay a pateo/path/fence with standards and correct, guaranteed materials.
2. Someone who has specific plant identification skills from a garden-design O.C.N certificate and taught by a time served business landscaper/gardener/designer/ and experience of pruning/cutting/lopping plants.
3. Someone who is insured for public liability, staff and business vehicle insurance.
4. Someone who that can also do basic lawn-care. perfect mowing with -roller. petrol strimmer and edging.
shears, and maybe spray weeds with pa1?&pa6.
5. Someone with Chainsaw cert and able to competently fell a 75ft tree.
6. Someone with a Waste License from env.agency that can remove waste easily
7. Maybe more - oh use a mini-digger/wacker/kangoo/stihl saw/rotovator.ride-on mower etc etc etc.
8. Maybe have hnd,degree,msc in the above or other fields say business&finance /marketing with a practical and design/art /technical drawing background.
9. Or even lived in the country for 35yrs and grown up strimming & planting & using a tractor, ride-on and push mower at 10yrs old !!
10. Also could be on the council trader register, trust-mark or other 'tick' scheme.

Think ive made my point for many on here .There is no 'One Elite' club that covers all . therfore they are trying to be specialist and are limiting themselves.

a. maybe you are a horticultural expert with plant knowledge and have RHS cert.
b. maybe you are a big landscaper/paver with marshalls and Bali qual's.
c. maybe you are a green-keeper/head-gardener/ landscaper with tgg.sgd.apl or hort weekly. requirements etc

I think many of us on here : pro-gard, keiran, niall, dan ,myself are all good at a variety of skilled work and maybe Landscape-Juice network is for us .....

So therefore we are 'self-regulated' by using the customer-charter and we actually have 24 hour back-up, unlimited & priceless knowledge sharing from 800 professionals and phil (a time served 25yrs business owner contractor in our field who has worked up from probably starting with a mower and self-motivation like myself ) correct me here please phil !

so why not support LJN with an advert or donation without pressure or competition :-)

Robin Ainsworth (www.gardens4u.co.uk)

Pip Howard said:

The PGG are much more geared for estate gardeners, for example if searching for work through 'greycoat placements' or similar for full time contracts on large gardens / estates, PGG membership is a sought after accreditation.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on January 10, 2010 at 16:25

Hi Gaynor

You can photograph them and use the photo 'up-loader', write a blog post listing all of the details of your qualifications and then upload scanned copies of the certificates into the post - you can then add a link in your profile.

If you need help just shout.

Hope that helps


phil

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