Getting a gardening business off the ground takes time, but keeping it going is a different challenge altogether. You can be the best with a strimmer and still struggle to keep regular work if clients drift off after one or two visits. The key isn’t just doing a good job, it’s giving people a reason to stick with you over time, so they don’t end up going with the next flyer that lands through their letterbox. Building loyalty takes more than handing out business cards and turning up on time (although, for the record, always turn up on time- that part still matters!) But there are a few other things that really make a difference when you’re trying to grow a solid, returning client base in the gardening world.
Know What They Need Before They Do
One of the best ways to stand out is to be the person who notices things. Not in a pushy, upselling kind of way, just helpful and observant. Maybe their lawn is thinning in patches and they haven’t spotted it yet. Maybe their hedge is about to become a neighbour complaint. Just taking a few extra minutes with the weed wacker around the borders can make a garden look properly finished, even if you haven’t done anything drastic. People notice that stuff, even if they don’t realise what made it feel tidier. Mention it. Offer to sort it, make their life easier.A lot of people who hire a gardener aren’t interested in learning about turf problems or pruning schedules. They just want their outdoor space to look decent and not stress them out. If you can step in and quietly handle those extra things, even before they ask, they’re much more likely to keep you around.
Be Reliable, But Flexible
If you say you’ll be there Thursday morning, be there Thursday morning. Obvious, but people remember it. Consistency is underrated in small service businesses, and gardening is no different, it builds trust without even trying. At the same time, life happens. A client might need to shift things around or cancel a session with short notice. If you’re understanding and flexible without making it a big deal, they’ll remember that too. You don’t need to be a pushover, just someone who gets it. That little bit of grace can be the thing that makes someone stick with you through the off season or recommend you to a friend.
Keep Track of the Details
This is where things often get missed, but it’s also where the gold is. Keeping notes on what you’ve done for each garden, what tools you used, what plants they like or hate, what times of year their lawn gets patchy etc You don’t need a fancy app, even a scruffy old notepad or a note on your phone can do the trick. But being able to say “last time we chatted about planting some climbers by that back fence” makes people feel looked after. And if you remember the dog’s name or that they’ve got a family BBQ coming up, even better.
Offer Simple Packages
A lot of gardening businesses offer every service under the sun, which can be fine, but it also overwhelms people. Not everyone knows what they need. Offering a couple of clear, simple packages can help. Something like a “monthly tidy and trim” or a “seasonal refresh” is easy to understand. You can still tailor things within that if needed, but starting with a basic idea of what they’re getting makes people more likely to say yes. It feels manageable. If it’s all à la carte, they might put it off or not get around to calling at all.
Show the Results, Not Just the Work
You might spend hours raking, edging, mowing and planting, but clients don’t always see the effort. What they notice is how the place looks and feels when you’re done. So take photos. Not for social media, necessarily, but for them. Before and after shots can be a great way to show progress, especially over a few visits. You can email them through or leave a quick printed copy if they’re not techy. It’s a simple thing, but it helps them appreciate what’s changing. They see the value more clearly and it reminds them why they hired you in the first place.
Seasonal Reminders Keep You on Their Radar
Sometimes clients drop off not because they’re unhappy, but because life gets busy and the garden drops down the list. A quick message at the start of each season, even just a friendly nudge like “Now’s a good time to prep for spring planting if you’re thinking about colour this year” keeps you in their mind. It’s not spam. It’s useful. It shows you’re thinking ahead, you care about their space and you’re not just waiting for them to chase you. You can even suggest dates in the message to make it easy for them to say yes.
