| Could robotic lawnmowers be the future of professional gardening? Robotic lawnmowers absolutely could be part of the future of professional gardening—but not as a full replacement for skilled gardeners. Instead, they’re more likely to become useful tools that help with efficiency, especially for routine tasks like regular lawn mowing. For gardening businesses, robotic mowers offer the chance to free up time for more skilled or seasonal work, like pruning, planting, or client-facing care. They can quietly maintain lawns on a schedule, reduce fuel and noise pollution, and even work during off-hours. This could be especially valuable for large properties or clients who want pristine lawns without the constant sound of petrol mowers. However, there are limitations. Robotic mowers can struggle with complex lawns, uneven terrain, or heavy leaf fall. They don’t edge, strim, or spot-treat issues like a human can. Plus, for some clients, a gardener’s presence is part of the value—someone to notice plant health, offer advice, or simply bring a friendly face. So, while robotic mowers likely won’t replace professional gardeners, they could become a smart addition to a modern, eco-conscious gardening toolkit—especially in a hybrid approach where tech supports, but doesn’t replace, human expertise. |
| 1. Time-Saving for Skilled Tasks Routine lawn mowing is time-consuming. By automating this task, gardeners can focus on more skilled, creative, or seasonal work—like pruning, planting, garden design, or client consultations—adding more value where human input matters most. 2. Consistent Results Robotic mowers operate on regular schedules, keeping lawns consistently trimmed and tidy. This helps maintain a high standard of presentation between gardener visits, especially for clients who expect immaculate lawns. 3. Eco-Friendly & Quiet Most robotic mowers are electric, meaning lower emissions and less noise compared to petrol machines. This aligns with modern eco-conscious gardening practices and is ideal for urban or residential settings where noise is a concern. 4. Labour Support, Not Replacement With rising labour costs and occasional staff shortages, robotic mowers can act as a backup or support system—particularly for larger gardens or during peak seasons. They reduce the physical workload and allow smaller teams to manage more properties efficiently. 5. Smart Integration & Innovation Appeal Some clients value tech-driven solutions and appreciate seeing their gardeners use smart tools. Offering robotic mower setup and management as a service could position a gardening business as forward-thinking and innovative. 6. Customised Garden Care Robotic mowers can be programmed for specific zones, mowing patterns, and schedules. This makes them suitable for tailored lawn care, fitting well into bespoke garden maintenance plans offered by professionals. |
| But here are some current limitations: Complex Landscapes Uneven ground, steep inclines, or lots of flower beds or obstacles can still trip up robotic mowers, although high-end models are improving here. Initial Setup & Maintenance Installing boundary wires or GPS systems takes time, and robotic mowers still need occasional maintenance, blade changes, and cleaning. Security Concerns They can be targets for theft (though many have alarms/GPS tracking now). Not Fully Autonomous Yet In many cases, they still need human supervision or intervention — especially in unexpected situations like heavy leaf cover or debris. |
| What’s the big picture? Shortly, professional gardeners and landscapers will likely work with robotic tools rather than be replaced by them. Think of it like a gardener’s assistant: always cutting the grass while the human focuses on higher-value services and client relationships. |
Earthly Comforts 
I have always wondered, where does it put the cuttings?
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Hey Jaye, there a couple of models on the market that now collect cuttings, however the majority of cuts is either 20mm or 40mm and so the cut grass sits on the lawn as a living mulch.
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You must need to have it working 24/7 just to keep up with the growth. If I take my eyes off my lawn, it grows like crazy!
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a 20 mil cut every few days would keep a maintained lawn trim Jaye. A weekly cut lawn would require a deeper cut.
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Good to know, Rory…
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I can see robotic mowers being helpful, but not replacements.
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Yes, exactly right – they will become assistant gardeners but not full on gardeners. I am hoping to introduce one to my tools in the next six months.
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