LANDSCAPING
GARDEN MAINTENAINCE
POOL SERVICES

Articles of Interest

Development of a Garden Management Plan

Why have a garden management plan

Efficient management of an area.

Maximum utilisation of employees and machinery.

Control of time and money.

Management Activities are required

  • routinely.
  • periodically.
  • when unexpected problems occur.

Developing a management plan

List all areas to be managed

  • turf areas,
  • garden beds,
  • shrub borders.
  • paving areas
  • structures
  • pools and water features
  • lighting

Determine size of areas in square metres.

List the number, size and species of trees and shrubs.

List buildings and other structures, paved areas, pools etc.

Plot all on a plan - large areas broken into logical small areas (separate plan for each).

Detailed inspection of site.

On site meeting with client to define all problems

Find out and record condition of all areas

inspection helps assign priorities to garden maintenance and employees.

if desired develop a code.

priorities often identify a need for employee education.

on site meeting with employees to emphasise the seriousness of problem.

prioritise - identify tasks for different times of year e.g. renovation, pruning, cultivating, pest control, cleaning

Estimating costs

Very difficult to calculate time and labour for each task due to many variables.

Great variation among workers to do same job.

Type of equipment to do same job.

Adjustments need to be made depending upon the skill and experience of employees and their hourly rate.

Estimated time x estimated labour costs plus material costs plus depreciation on tools and machinery