| Have you ever thought about how much it costs to | | | | He believes the difference with other operators is |
| maintain your garden? Most people never give it | | | | that their people are qualified and the work is |
| much thought - spending the odd day in the garden | | | | guaranteed. He also says they will quote on the total |
| when they have time and impulse buying plants at | | | | job rather than offer an hourly rate. An example of a |
| the local nursery. | | | | fixed price for a specialized service is $400 to redig a |
| But if you're serious about saving money and adding | | | | garden bed, weed it, fertilize, replant and mulch. |
| value to one of you're most important assets it's | | | | There's an increasing pride in gardens and for people |
| worth thinking about the ongoing costs associated | | | | who don't have a lot of time this is a service that's |
| with garden maintenance and how this can be | | | | appealing because you know what you get and you |
| minimized. It's also worth spending time and money | | | | know how much it will cost. |
| on your garden so your asset appreciates rather | | | | Mr Canns believes consumers trust the Yates brand |
| than depreciates. | | | | and the company has the ongoing expertise in |
| For the average size garden you should budget on | | | | gardening and horticulture. |
| one full day of maintenance every two months. | | | | The company is also working on a garden valuation |
| That's a total of 6 full days a year. Now if you like | | | | service, where Yates will give a written valuation of |
| gardening, that's not a problem and it's probably | | | | the replacement cost of the garden and an ongoing |
| something you enjoy and get a lot of satisfaction | | | | maintenance cost. Canns says this will be used by real |
| from. | | | | estate agents to compare properties and provide a |
| But with today's busy lifestyles, many of us are time | | | | tangible and independent figure on what a garden is |
| poor and might have other priorities than spending | | | | worth. |
| time in the garden. So if you can't make the regular | | | | So in terms of advice what should one do? Here are |
| commitment of a day every two months you need | | | | eight tips: |
| to allow for this in your budget. | | | | 1. Budget to maintain your garden. Most people |
| Costs vary, but on average you would pay $20 an | | | | underestimate the value of their garden and many |
| hour for a qualified gardener or horticulturist, so this | | | | people make costly mistakes by neglecting their |
| will cost you $160 every two months or $960 a year. | | | | garden. Plants and trees may die through lack of |
| Now this is just for general maintenance and doesn't | | | | water, putting in bad stock, not planting properly, and |
| include more regular jobs such as mowing or pruning. | | | | incorrect fertilizing or pruning. Compared to the value |
| It also doesn't include costs such as fertilizing or | | | | of the plants, the maintenance cost is small. |
| adding to or improving your garden. | | | | 2. Think about the big picture of your garden. What |
| Some of the larger companies have recognized this | | | | do you want your garden to look like and what sort |
| opportunity and are now providingprofessional garden | | | | of theme. |
| maintenance services. | | | | 3. Keep your garden simple. Often simple themes |
| Darrell Canns, General Manager for Yates Garden | | | | work best and feel more spacious. Set one theme |
| Care says the market is huge and the garden | | | | and stick to it. Differentiate between decorative |
| maintenance business is 10 years behind the | | | | elements. Do they relate to the theme of the |
| franchised lawn mowing industry. | | | | garden? |
| Yates are now entering the market with a full range | | | | 4. Avoid too much maintenance. Low maintenance |
| of professional services including basic lawn mowing, | | | | gardens will cost less over the long term. Think about |
| weeding, pruning and fertilizing, small landscaping jobs | | | | how much time and money you want to put into |
| and tree surgery work. | | | | your garden in terms of maintenance. |
| They are developing a professional horticultural | | | | 5. Understand what you want. For example a garden |
| franchise to help put people in the industry. To make | | | | for a holiday house would be totally different for |
| money a franchise owner will need to meet | | | | your normal home. |
| professional standards set by Yates, undergo training | | | | 6. Plan your garden. Work out what works best for |
| by the company and use the Yates brand name. | | | | different areas. For example shade versus sun and |
| The service has already been successfully established | | | | the purpose for which the garden will be used. |
| in the eastern states and is being launched in | | | | 7. Avoid big trees in small spaces. Many people put in |
| Western Australia soon. Each franchisee will have | | | | totally inappropriate trees and plants in areas that are |
| about 30 or 40 regular customers. | | | | just too small and at a later date it is very expensive |
| The cost to garden owners is varied and depends on | | | | to remove those trees. |
| the size of the garden and the time of year. Darrell | | | | 8. Avoid buying plants on impulse. Roses are often |
| Canns says this may vary from $50 or $60 a month | | | | the worst for this. They look great in the nursery in |
| to $300 a week. | | | | full bloom but can be a disaster. Plan before you buy. |