| Growing Pains: The Challenges Small Gardening Businesses Face When Taking On Staff in Today’s UK Climate |
| A client asked me the other day what it was like as a small business taking on staff? Well, ‘it aint easy!’ is the truth behind that question. Earthly Comforts isn’t my first rodeo, and whilst l ran a huge business back in the late nineties to the mid noughties, the staff l had then were all self employed and took care of their own businesses within my business. Back then it was a different time, a different climate and a very different political arena. Today is also very different! Running a small gardening business in the UK has always required a mix of resilience, flexibility, and heart. But in today’s climate especially — economic, environmental, and social — the challenge of taking on staff feels more complex than ever. For many sole traders, expanding beyond a one-person operation is both a milestone and a minefield. |
| The first hurdle is cost. The rise in the National Minimum Wage — while fair and necessary — has hit small, hands-on trades like gardening particularly hard. When margins are already tight, every extra pound in wages must be found from somewhere. Add in employer insurance, pension contributions, uniforms, and equipment costs, and what starts as “just an extra pair of hands” can quickly become a serious financial commitment. Fuel, tools, and vehicle maintenance have all climbed too, leaving many small businesses like mine juggling spreadsheets more often than spades. The reality is that a gardener can’t simply raise prices overnight without risking loyal clients, especially in communities where household budgets are stretched thin. |
| Beyond the financial side, there’s the paperwork. Hiring even one casual worker brings layers of responsibility: contracts, health and safety, right-to-work checks, and payroll obligations. These are necessary protections, but they can feel daunting when you don’t have HR or admin support. For many small gardening businesses, these are uncharted waters. It’s a far cry from simply tending gardens — suddenly, you’re running a micro-employer operation with legal and administrative expectations that can feel designed for bigger companies. |
| Then there’s the great British weather — the one factor no gardener can control. Unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, and increasingly erratic seasons make consistent scheduling difficult. How do you guarantee regular hours for a worker when half the week could be washed out or frozen solid? Seasonal ebb and flow means that spring and summer often bring more work than one person can handle, while winter can be painfully quiet for many, although l am luckier due to long maintenance. Balancing that workload with fair and reliable hours for staff is one of the hardest challenges for any small gardening business. |
| Finding the right person is another story. Outdoor work is rewarding but demanding, and not everyone is drawn to the physical nature of gardening. Many younger people seek flexible, tech-friendly roles or part-time jobs that don’t require early mornings in the rain. On the other hand, older or semi-retired workers often bring valuable experience and reliability — but may prefer lighter duties or fewer hours. For a small gardening business, recruitment is about much more than filling a gap. It’s about finding someone who understands your rhythm, your standards, and your values. That kind of fit is rare, and when you find it, it’s worth nurturing. I have had a few staff in the last few months, some have worked well, others not. Currently l have one who is showing great potential – presently working flexi-hours with a view to becoming part time first then full time next year and a second who is a weekend Saturday casual. |
| There’s also a personal side to expansion. Small gardening businesses often thrive because of their personal touch — that sense of trust and connection built with every client. When you bring in staff, it changes the dynamic. You’re no longer the sole face of the business. That can be both freeing and nerve-wracking. Many small businesses worry that growing a team could dilute the quality or ethos that made their business special. The challenge, then, is to grow carefully — to find ways to keep your roots strong even as new branches form. |
| Despite all this, taking on staff can be a positive, even transformative step. It creates local employment, allows you to serve more clients, and gives you space to focus on the bigger picture. Some businesses including Earthly Comforts are experimenting with flexible or “micro-employment” models — offering short, regular shifts that fit around other commitments. These creative approaches reflect the same spirit that defines small businesses everywhere: adaptability. In many ways, this tricky climate is forcing a rethink — not just about how we hire, but how we work, grow, and share opportunities within our communities. |
| Taking on staff isn’t just about growth; it’s about stewardship. The same care we bring to nurturing plants applies to people too. With patience, planning, and a bit of courage, even the smallest gardening business can create opportunities that help both gardens and gardener’s flourish. |
Earthly Comforts 
A thoughtful post, Rory, and it appears your knowledge and passion keeps you on the road to success.
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The true beauty of nature that supplies extra oxygen to support our lives
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