You hear the beautiful songs of the birds beckoning; you see the blue in the skies drawing you out! Something about spring just makes you want to head outside and plant something. Maybe it's the satisfaction of a hard day's work or it's the appreciation of the aesthetic beauty in your garden. Whether you are an avid gardner or have a little brown on the edges of your green thumb like me, a beautiful garden can't be beat. Even if you haven't begun preparing your garden, it's not too late.

First, for you fellow brown tips, you will need to be sure you have a reliable fellow-worker to ensure your efforts don't go to waste (I tend to kill it back a bit before it really starts to grow...all a part of the process, right?)! All joking aside, a nice clean-up will go far in providing your garden with a solid base. A watering plan will provide your budding garden the essentials needed to thrive. Make sure you begin to watch the weather and establish a watering routine.

Now is the time to tackle those hedges and overrun gardens! Remember, safety first. Why run the risk of injury? Some jobs are best left to the professionals, so be realistic with those limits. A professional will have easy access to the costly equipment needed to accomplish the job. You may think you are saving your self a little money by renting and "doing it yourself", but in the long run your time, efforts and money will be best and cost effectively left to the expert. That beautiful design you had in your head will quickly fade in frustration.

Instead, take on the weeds. A little effort now goes a long way to prevent a take-over! Weeding as you see those little guys sprout up has been shown to help reduce the use of pesticides.

Take the time to decide what type of garden best suits you and your desires. Whether it's a flower garden with beautiful blooms aglow or a fresh, ripe vegetable garden, it's best to be organized. Just a few minutes of research online (or in your local library), yeilds vast knowledge from the types of flowers and vegetables which grow best in your area to the types which best suite your taste, lifestyle, and garden local. If this proves to be a daunting task, a professional gardener can whip up a solution in a flash, offering a variety of selections. Don't be afraid to take this path. After all, they are sure to have tried a few options and found they work,especially when those pesky vermin eat that which is "resistant" to such vermin. Enlisting the help of a professional too can be just as rewarding, and sometimes even more so.

A common mistake when preparing for spring gardening is neglecting garden furniture and structures. Be sure to give a good washing to all of your futniture and structures. It will bring life back to those tired chairs and cushions and a new face to complement the beautiful array. Nothing spoils a nice sit on the patio to admire the garden than a grungy chair which tells everyone you've been there by the smudges on your clothes and skin. How embarrassing it would be at the barbeque with the neighbours and friends when Sarah stands up and the back of her trousers are no longer white!

I've been told a little effort goes a long way, so get out there! Xpertfind can help connect you with professionals who can do all your gardening jobs from replanting, building decking and walls, design to pruning. Why not let us help your garden flourish and post your job with us?

With more and more people using the internet to search for local products and services, increasing your company's online presence is vital for any business owner. Here at Xpertfind, helping you to achieve this is a high priority for us too. That's why we have partnered with Touch Local to offer you the chance to add your business on their online business directory.

Click here to list your business for free and benefit from exposure to millions of customers who are actively searching for businesses like yours.

Along with a business listing on the Touch Local directory, your business can also enjoy all of the benefits of the extensive Touch Local business network. The Touch Local network includes a range of well-known names including The Independent, Ask Jeeves and Scoot.co.uk. Each business listing on Touch Local is featured across this network, providing fantastic coverage for your business.

EXCLUSIVE FACEBOOK OFFER FOR XPERTFIND CUSTOMERS

Touch Local's mission is to be a trusted partner of UK business owners and a gateway for SMEs to reach local customers. With this in mind, Touch Local has developed a range of exciting products and services that are designed to support business ownersin running and growing their companies.

The emergence of social media has changed the way that many people search online for businesses, which is why Touch Local has launched their new Facebook for Business product. Unlike the standard Facebook business pages, the bespoke Touch Local Facebook profiles contain:

• detailed business information
• a gallery of images
• space to advertise special offers
• and full contact information

As a valued Xpertfind customer we are delighted to offer you an exclusive discount on a Facebook for Business profile for your business. This offer entitles you to 100 pounds off the normal price of 199 pounds, enabling you to make your mark in the social media world for just 99 pounds per year.

Click here for more details about the Facebook for Business product and to claim your exclusive discount.

After a little over a year with us, Ben Harris of Harris & Son, has once again proven to be our Tradesmen of the Month. His stellar work and his commitment to each and every job earn this well-deserved honor. Ben, who is always a delight to work with, has been in the plastering business for about 7 years now in the Burntwood, Staffordshire area. Together with his father, Derek, and his brother-in-law, John, they have over 40 years of experience. Harris & Son can not only take care of any of your plastering needs, but also take care of any Brick Work or Building needs you may have.

Ben's commitment to the job, high standards, & skill makes him one of the best Tradesmen we have registered at Xpertfind. They try not to have too many projects at one time, mainly because they like to keep the customer happy and finish a job to a high standard, rather than trying to rush. "You can't rush a good job. That's when mistakes can be made, especially with the plastering side." Ben says.

We've noticed Harris & Son always receive stellar reviews from their customers. We are sure these reviews help them secure future work with Xpertfind. With this being their second feature as Tradesmen of the Month, we asked if they have any advice for tradesmen hoping to do the same.

"Treat the customers like you would want to be treated. Be polite & do a fantastic job like we do. Also with the way the building trade is at the moment, just do the best that you can on pricing a job. Earn your living. People will shop about- that's how the building trade has gone. On the same note, don't shoot yourself in the foot and do it for naught. Let the wanna be's have it; they'll only mess it up."

When asked what he likes most about Xpertfind, Ben says, "The thing I like most about Xpertfind is its quick and easy to use. "

"It's great; the jobs come to you. I would recommend joining Xpertfind- just go for it! Customer Service is fantastic, especially Jill. If you've had the pleasure with dealing with her, you'll see how helpful they are."

As a customer, you can register for free at xpertfind.com to find local, trusted tradesmen covering 25 different trades across the UK.

If you are a tradesmen looking for work, why not complete the quick and easy registration process and find your next local job? What's more, you get your first lead free once you have fully completed the registration process.

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