Tom Best Garden Services

Tom Best Garden Services operates in Hereford and the surrounding areas, offering domestic garden maintenance as a sole trader. Tom kindly shared his time with us to talk about his ambitions for inspiring sustainable, nature-friendly gardening practices that his clients can carry forward.

What motivated you to join the Green Footprints Business Network?

When I first moved to Hereford with my business, I wanted to connect with local organisations focused on environmental policies. I came across Green Footprints at the Hereford Business Expo and felt they aligned well with my values. My gardening business is all about wilding and supporting nature, so it felt like a natural fit to connect with them after the event. That was the starting point, and I felt lucky to have met them there.

What sustainability practices are you working on within your business?

Naturally, I’ll carry out whatever tasks the client wants, but I always do so in a nature-friendly way. A big one for me is avoiding weed killers, glyphosate, and chemical pesticides. If a client asks me to use them, I’ll politely decline. I explain that if they want to use those products, that’s their choice—but it’s not part of how I garden.

I aim to reduce chemical use and encourage more sustainable practices. For example, if a client wants a shrub cut back but it’s still blooming and attracting pollinators, I’ll suggest leaving it a bit longer.

I also try to manage garden waste sustainably. If their green bin is full, I’ll recommend creating a composting area in the garden. That way, the waste supports the local habitat rather than being thrown away.

One more thing I focus on is using natural resources to enhance garden structure. For example, if I prune a tree and have leftover branches, I’ll suggest using them to fill gaps or borders in the garden rather than disposing of them. It’s about recycling within the garden—making use of what’s already there.

I also try to balance aesthetics with ecological value. If a plant is still attracting pollinators, I’ll recommend leaving it, even if the client wants it trimmed. Some clients are very receptive to this, and I’ll offer lots of suggestions. Others prefer a more traditional look, and it can be harder to persuade them.

Can you talk more about how your clients respond to your sustainability practices?

I’d say they’re quite receptive. If I had to estimate, I’d say around 60% of my clients have welcomed my ideas. At first, some may not be fully aware of the benefits of wild gardening or nature-friendly practices, but after working with them over time—say, 10 sessions or so—they start to see the value.

It’s about staying true to your beliefs while communicating with them in a respectful way. I try not to be forceful, but I do make sure to share my perspective. That’s a skill I’m always developing—how to raise these issues without overwhelming people.

Of course, the urgency of the climate crisis is real, and it’s important to address it. But I’ve found that if you approach it thoughtfully, clients are more likely to listen and engage. People are learning all the time. I wasn’t very aware of climate issues myself until about 10 years ago, and it was during COVID—when I started my business—that I really began to take it seriously.

So that’s how I try to spread the message: through practical action, respectful conversation, and staying positive. I believe positivity leads to productivity, and that’s what drives progress.

What would you say is the biggest challenge you’re facing? 

Good question. I wouldn’t say client attitudes are the biggest challenge. I usually find I can make a strong case for sustainable choices. But it depends on the situation—if time is tight or the job is straightforward, I might not have the time to spend on bringing them round. I’m still developing the business, and I think in the next few years I’ll become stricter about sticking to my principles.

The biggest concern for me is the wider environmental situation—the impact of climate change on humanity. It’s something I think about a lot. But I believe positivity leads to productivity, and productivity can lead to progress. So I try to stay proactive and practical. That’s how I believe we can best help the environment—by staying engaged and taking action.

It goes back to the idea that one person can make a big difference. You don’t need to be part of a large organisation to have an impact. Sticking to your principles and passing them on is vital for climate action. Just because you're one person doesn’t mean your efforts don’t matter—they absolutely do.

If you could share one piece of advice with another business—especially a sole trader—looking to reduce emissions or support nature, what would it be?

Great question. I’d say there’s a lot of creativity in nature-friendly gardening. There’s a misconception that it’s just about letting things grow wild, but it’s really about thoughtful management. You don’t need to control everything to the point where nature can’t thrive.

You need to get to know each garden and work with it. For example, composting is a great starting point. If your green bin is full, you can create a compost area and recycle garden waste into rich material for your borders. It’s a creative process and a mindset shift.

Another example—if you’ve got lavender that’s finished flowering, instead of cutting it back immediately, consider leaving the stems. They can still look beautiful and add texture to the garden. Not everything needs to be trimmed for neatness. A softer, more natural look can be just as appealing.

So my advice would be: embrace creativity, understand your space, and look for opportunities to work with nature rather than against it.

Why do you think more people aren’t composting, beyond using their green bins? Are there misconceptions?

Yes, I think it’s mostly about convenience. Building a compost bin takes effort, and it’s easier to just throw garden waste into the green bin and have it taken away. There’s also a lack of investment—not necessarily financial, but mental. People don’t always see the long-term benefits.

But composting really pays off. The soil quality you get from it is fantastic—rich, healthy, and great for your garden. It’s a short-term convenience versus long-term gain. If people understood how much composting improves their soil and reduces emissions, I think more would give it a try.

It also cuts down on transport emissions—no trucks coming to collect waste—and saves money on buying compost from garden centres. Plus, it helps you learn about your local habitat. It’s a grounding experience, especially for those new to gardening. It’s a great way to connect with nature.

One final question—what are your future ambitions for your business? Any plans to expand your sustainability efforts?

Right now, I’m continuing as a sole trader, promoting wild gardening and nature-friendly practices. I’d like to get involved in more team-based work too—I think that could be fun and productive.

One of my top priorities is spreading the word locally, especially around Hereford. I’ve only been here since February, so I’m still getting to know the area. Once I feel I’ve made a strong local impact, I’d like to expand my outreach—maybe through social media—to encourage others across the county to adopt similar practices.

I think it’s important to start local. It’s tempting to want the whole country to hear your message, but focusing on your community first is more realistic and effective. Hereford is a great base—it’s small enough to get your name out there, and the people are welcoming.

In a year or two I am thinking of getting in touch with the primary/secondary schools in Hereford to hopefully organise a day when I can talk to the students about horticulture and its relationship with climate change and environmental action.

One more thing I’d like to add—we need to maintain a sense of unity. There are people who don’t believe in climate change or environmentalism, and while that’s not ideal, we shouldn’t separate ourselves from them. We need to reach out, have conversations, and bring people on board.

It’s not about “us” versus “them.” Unity is crucial if we’re going to move forward.