What is Commercial Gardening (UK)?
First appearances are crucial. If you are approaching a commercial space, the outside area around it will tell you a fair amount about how that business wants people to perceive them. This is where commercial gardening or commercial landscaping plays such an important role. It allows company owners to create an enticing environment to show potential customers that they look after their company, or a potential buyer of a flat that the communal area is desirable and well maintained. In this article we will take a good look at what commercial gardening is and what it involves.
What is commercial gardening?
Commercial gardening can be a confusing term. In the USA, commercial gardening refers to gardening on a large scale for the production of fruit and vegetables to sell at farmers' markets and shops. It is also sometimes referred to as market gardening.
In the UK, however, it refers to professional groundskeeping for commercial properties and businesses. This will range from maintaining the grounds surrounding a block of flats to the outside space of an office block.
Who would benefit from commercial gardening?
Maintaining a commercial space benefits many different businesses and their clients. It is also advantageous to residents whose properties may overlook a communal garden. The areas that could benefit from commercial gardening include:
- Office blocks
- Housing estates
- Warehouses
- Communal gardens and grounds
- Residential flats
- Gated communities
What is the difference between commercial gardening and domestic gardening?
Domestic gardening can be as high maintenance as the garden owner desires. Many people spend hours tending to plants, pruning bushes and growing fruit and vegetables. Then there are people who have no interest in gardening and may either leave it to its own devices to become overgrown (potentially great in attracting insects and bees), or opt for a low-maintenance patio and no plants. Commercial gardening seeks to find the middle ground. It must require low levels of maintenance as commercial gardening visits are generally sporadic. Commercial gardens can also cover large areas so low-maintenance plants and trees are vital. This often includes hardy, evergreen, annual plants that do not require a lot of watering or looking after. Where watering is required, there are options for irrigation to be installed through a variety of methods, from rainwater harvesting to state of the art watering solutions.
It is important not to make the commercial area so low maintenance that it provides nothing of interest or value. Whilst some domestic garden owners may choose not to use their own gardens, commercial gardening needs to consider the preferences of anyone who visits the area. Its purpose is to attract; to put people in the right mindset before stepping through the door and to provide a space for improving wellbeing.
What jobs are included in commercial gardening?
A lot of the jobs associated with domestic gardening that you may be familiar with are also carried out with commercial gardening but on a much larger scale. These jobs include:
Jet washing
Jet washing is an effective way of cleaning patio areas, car parks and paths. It will remove any dirt and grime that has built up. Paths and communal seating areas are important spaces for any commercial and communal area so it is vital to keep them clear and clean.
Hedge care
Regularly pruned hedges give a professional look and ensure that the outdoor space does not get overgrown.
Lawn mowing
A well-maintained lawn is crucial, not just for aesthetic reasons but for practical purposes too. Often a large grassy area may be used for a children’s play area so it is important to keep this clear. An overgrown lawn can also often be a very large space so it is much more pleasing to the eye to be kept short and well-kept. Sit-on lawnmowers are often used to mow large lawns quickly and efficiently.
Weeding and general plant care
Well-maintained beds are critical to the longevity of a commercial area. Bushes and plants will be positioned with future growth in mind to give the desired appearance over the coming years as those plants become established.
Litter picking
Whilst this is not the typical role of a commercial gardener, any litter in commercial areas will be removed to keep the communal spaces clean and tidy.
Leaf clearance
Falling leaves may look pretty but once on the ground, leaves can become a slip hazard. Any fallen leaves will be removed from areas of high footfall to prevent the risk of slipping.
Watering
Shrubs and bushes will be watered at every visit and it is ensured that all plants provided will be low maintenance and easy to care for.
Challenges of commercial gardening
Every job comes with its own set of unique challenges that need to be overcome. The challenges of commercial gardening include:
- Changeable weather - There are always gardening jobs that need to be completed come rain or shine. Tasks will be prioritised depending on what can be done in the rain and what needs to wait for a dry day.
- The pressure of sustainability - There is increasing pressure on all industries to adopt environmentally friendly practices in all the tasks they carry out.
- Stringent regulations - Compliance standards and regulations have continued to tighten over the years, especially in the realms of pesticide usage and waste management. It requires a thorough understanding of the ever-evolving legislative landscape.
- Leg work and heavy machinery - Commercial gardening is no walk in the park. Often gardeners walk miles over a day, covering a large amount of land. Using heavy machinery also requires a lot of effort and a generally good level of fitness.
Contact us today for your commercial landscaping needs
At 4th D Landscapes, we pride ourselves on 20 years of creating stunning, bespoke gardens and spaces for our clients and will provide you with the highest quality service.
Speak to our team today and discover how our commerical grounds maintence can develop your outdoor space.