Origins of Greengage
The origins of Greengage started in February 2015. In my previous job back in London I had worked in a school doing various office and pastoral roles. Despite its perks; the opportunity to travel in the school holidays, beautiful commute through Richmond Park, some great moments helping students it didn’t really fit my idea of a dream job.
The majority of my previous work had been in outdoor education. After getting my qualifications. I instructed in various centres in England, Scotland, Wales and France. I loved begin outside, working with great people and doing something that kept me physically fit and wanted to get back to that kind of work.
Richmond park.
Moving to Somerset
After moving to Somerset from Kingston upon Thames, I decided I wanted to set up my own business. It started out predominantly gardening and grew over the years to its current form of landscaping.
In September 2017 I decided to further my planting knowledge and did my level 2 RHS Certificate in Practical Horticulture. This was an excellent course. It combinined classroom study with practical experiences. A day out pruning apple trees, being given our own ‘allotment’ section., day trips to gardens such as RHS Rosemoor. The following year I returned to do my Level 3. The business became JE Garden Services and built up a busy roster of regular clients.
Origins of Greengage – Jude Eastick
Greengage Garden Solutions Ltd
After nearly four years working on my own, I was finding more and more business and needed to take on more help. I decided to turn the business into a Limited Company.
I employed someone to take over the invoicing, contracts and accounts and to hire a full-time labourer to work with me. This has enabled us to take on new clients, to do some exciting landscaping jobs and to invest into the business with new equipment and vehicles.
Original team member Finn Woods
Since becoming Greengage Gardening Solutions Ltd, we have taken on, and said goodbye to some staff and have focussed on design work as well as the build. We have produced some amazing gardens across Somerset and have enjoyed it immensely.
We are always looking for qualified staff to join us or the right people to grow into Greengage staff ourselves so do contact us if you think you would like to work with our hardworking and dedicated team.
The origins of Greengage to fantastic gardens. This image is from one of our 2023 projects.
Take a look at our other blog ‘Jobs to do in the garden’ and we hope you return in a couple of weeks to read our next blog ‘Nature based play’.
Words: Jude Eastick, Company Director & Project Manager