If you have a lawn care business you may think you can only appeal to homeowners with lawns in their back yards.  But this isn’t true.

A lot of people are looking for ways to keep their garden looking great all year round without having to keep on top of the grass.  Depending on where the garden is situated it may actually be a lot of work to try and develop a good looking lawn that is easy to keep on top of.  Properties close to the sea will have to withstand the constantly salty sea air for instance.

A good alternative comes in the form of gravel.  Decorative gravel can be used in plenty of ways to create a stunning garden that is low on maintenance and high on visual appeal.  You just need to be able to see the potential in any plot to offer your clients a versatile garden that never needs to see a lawn mower.

For instance you can start off with a basic plot and sketch out flowerbeds and other features in different areas.  You could have an area of decking at the opposite end of the garden, perhaps taking advantage of some trees by hanging a hammock from them.  A patio area near the house is good for barbecues and other family get togethers.  In addition to this you can build in raised beds and flowerbeds in various areas.

The gravel comes in by creating pathways that link each area with the next.  You can opt for formal paths in straight lines and at right angles to each other, or go for a more fluid feel by creating sweeping paths that aren’t the same width all the way along.

Bear in mind access points to various parts of the garden as well when you use gravel in place of grass.  You’ll need to get access to any sheds or other garden structures, and you will need to consider where the flowerbeds are and how easy they are to reach from each point nearby.

If the client does want a small section of lawn left in place – perhaps to create an area for the kids to play safely for example – make sure you create a definite edge between the lawn and the gravel.  If you don’t you could end up with the gravel damaging the lawn mower or the blades.  Make sure the gravel surface is lower than the grass, so you can mow to the edge without causing any problems.  This will also prevent the gravel from finding its way onto the lawn.

As you can see gravel has some definite advantages when it comes to creating a low maintenance garden that looks stunning.  And with lots of different types, sizes and colors of gravel to choose from, there is something just right for every garden to use.

And you can still cater for clients with this kind of garden because they’ll still need regular weeding and planting done at specific times of the year in many cases.

Interested in starting a Lawn Care Business? Click here to learn more about our Lawn Care Business Guide.