AN EXPERT on Retail & Leisure for HSBC is presenting on retail trends at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Conference at Carden Park Chester next month (January 2026). James Sawley, the bank’s Head of Retail & Leisure, is speaking at the GCA’s 60th anniversary year Annual Conference on the Tuesday, January 27. GCA Chairman Elect and Operations Director of Haskins Garden Centres, Ben Harrison explains: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming James to the stage to hear all he has to say about retail trends and how these will impact on our industry. “He supports retailers and leisure operators including garden centres across the country, providing financing solutions, strategic...

When Joe Hewitt launched Hewitt Tree Surgery in Cornwall in June 2024, he knew exactly what equipment he needed to compete in the domestic market. After nearly five years working his way from apprentice to fully qualified climber, including stints in Australia and New Zealand, he'd learned that reliable equipment makes all the difference. The FSI B21 stump grinder was the natural choice to complete his fleet, expanding the range of services he can offer to domestic customers across the county. Growing from the Ground Up “After I completed my apprenticeship, I started subcontracting, climbing for a lot of other tree surgeons throughout Cornwall” Joe explains. “I then...

The STIGA team brought their full range of robotic and professional mowing solutions to the home of England Rugby this week, giving the grounds...

As we enjoy the last days of summer and look forward to the golden season of autumn, houseplant parents will be getting ready to...

Helping you seal the gap between water usage and water wastage As the UK faces increasing periods of drought and tighter water restrictions, one small...

Lavender is a garden favourite, but without pruning it soon turns woody and straggly. With a simple yearly routine you can keep it compact,...

The National Allotment Society* estimates that there are currently around 330,000 allotments in the UK and National Allotment Week (11th – 17th August 2025) aims to raise awareness...

Clay soil is often dreaded by gardeners. It's sticky when wet, cracks when dry, and compacts into a brick-like slab under foot. But with...

Cobra RM514SPC Lawn Mower – History, Specifications & Review The Cobra RM514SPC is a powerful self-propelled rear roller mower, designed to create a professional striped...

Growing fruit bushes like currants, gooseberries, raspberries, and blueberries can be incredibly rewarding, but without proper protection, birds and other wildlife can quickly strip...

March is the perfect time to start tender crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers indoors, giving them a head start before transplanting them outside...

As the gardening season gets going, it can be tempting to cram in work even on bank holidays—especially when the weather's fine and the diary's full. But if you're regularly working Easter Monday, May Day, or August Bank Holiday just to keep up, it's time to ask whether that's really good business. Spoiler: it’s probably not. 1. If You Need to Work Holidays, Your Business Model Might Be BrokenIf your income depends on working every public holiday, the numbers aren’t adding up somewhere. A well-structured gardening business should allow time off without making you panic about lost income. Undercharging, doing too much solo, or chasing too many small...

Starting or scaling up a gardening business in the UK often means getting your hands on a dependable van. Whether it’s for hauling tools, plants, compost, or waste, a van is the beating heart of many green-fingered enterprises. But what’s the most affordable and practical way to get one — especially if you're working with a limited budget? In this guide, we’ll break down the most cost-effective ways to get a van, from buying outright to flexible finance options, tailored for sole traders and small business owners in the gardening trade. 1. Buying Outright – Simple and Debt-Free If you have cash available — around £3,000 to £4,000 —...

Robotic lawn mowers are quietly transforming garden maintenance across the UK, raising growing concerns about the future of thousands of professional gardening jobs. As these machines become more affordable and technologically advanced, many homeowners and councils are choosing automation over traditional labour. These compact, battery-powered machines operate autonomously, using GPS, boundary wires or onboard cameras to navigate gardens. Equipped with sharp rotary blades, they trim grass continuously and return to a charging station when power runs low. Most models can be controlled via smartphone apps, and many operate silently at night or during rain. Robot mowers are designed to cut grass little and often, typically every day or...

THE TRUE COST OF HIRING: WHAT DOES IT REALLY TAKE TO EMPLOY SOMEONE? Hiring an employee at minimum wage may seem straightforward, but the true cost of employment stretches far beyond the basic hourly rate. Business owners, especially those in gardening and trade industries, must factor in taxes, insurance, vehicle expenses, equipment, travel time, and more to ensure they not only cover their costs but also turn a profit. So, how much do you really need to charge per hour just to break even? Let’s break it down. The Base Wage: Where It All Begins From April 2025, the UK minimum wage stands at £12.21 per hour, equating to...

As the gardening season kicks off on April 1st, self-employed gardeners and landscapers should take a moment to review their prices. With inflation pushing up the cost of materials, fuel, and insurance, keeping rates the same as last year could mean earning less for the same hard work. If you haven’t updated your prices in a while, now is the time—before the busiest months of the year begin. How Much Have Costs Risen? Inflation isn’t just about the price of groceries. Gardeners face rising costs across the board: General inflation (CPIH) has gone up 3.8% in the last year. Service-based inflation (SPPI), which includes businesses like gardening, has risen 4.2%. Landscaping materials...

For generations, professional gardeners have relied on vans to transport tools, plants, and materials. But in recent years, changes in emissions laws, parking restrictions, licensing, and even speed limits have made running a gardening business more complicated—and more expensive—than ever. From the cost of upgrading vehicles to unexpected fines, many gardeners now find that staying on the road is a constant challenge. Clean Air Zones: A Costly Challenge Many UK cities have introduced Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) and Clean Air Zones (CAZ) to reduce pollution. These zones target older diesel vans, which are common among self-employed gardeners. London's ULEZ covers all boroughs, charging £12.50 per day for vans that...

From April 2026, the UK government’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) scheme will bring big changes for self-employed gardeners and small gardening businesses. Under these new digital tax rules, those earning over £50,000 annually will be required to maintain digital financial records and submit tax updates to HMRC every three months. From April 2027, the threshold lowers to £30,000, affecting even more self-employed gardeners. Will You Have to Pay Tax Every Quarter? Despite the new requirement to submit quarterly updates, gardeners will not have to pay tax every quarter—at least for now. Instead, tax payments will continue to be due once a year...

The days of petrol-powered lawnmowers may be numbered, as major manufacturers begin phasing out small engines in response to environmental regulations and shifting consumer demand. While the transition is already underway in the United States, the UK market could soon face similar changes. So could we eventually get a petrol lawnmower ban in the UK? U.S. Manufacturers Lead the Shift Several major lawnmower manufacturers have made significant moves in the U.S., responding to growing restrictions on petrol-powered equipment: Honda announced in 2022 that it would cease production of petrol lawnmowers in the U.S. by September 2023, citing "market conditions" and stricter environmental laws. The company is selling off its...

Starting and running a gardening business in the UK requires more than just horticultural skills—you also need to ensure you comply with legal regulations and have the right insurance in place. This guide will walk you through the key legal and insurance requirements to protect yourself, your business, and your clients. 1. Registering Your Gardening Business Before you start working with clients, you need to legally register your business. The structure you choose will affect your tax responsibilities, liability, and paperwork. Sole Trader vs. Limited Company Sole Trader: The simplest option, where you operate as an individual. You must register for Self-Assessment with HMRC (gov.uk/register-self-assessment). Limited Company: A separate legal entity,...

If you’re starting a gardening business, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to operate as a sole trader or a limited company. Each has its pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your goals, financial situation, and how you want to manage your business. This article will break down the differences between these two business structures and help you decide which is right for you. 1. What is a Sole Trader? A sole trader is a self-employed individual who runs their business alone. It’s the simplest and most common business structure for gardeners, landscapers, and other tradespeople. Pros of Being a Sole Trader ✅...