Year-End Review for Landscapers: Reflect on 2025 and Plan for a Successful 2026

As the year slowly begins, now is the perfect time to pause and take stock of your landscaping business. What worked? What didn’t? Which clients made your life easier, and which drained your energy?

In my latest Limitless Landscapers Podcast episode, I shared a free Year-End Review checklist to help you reflect on 2025 and plan for 2026. Using this simple framework can make all the difference when it comes to running a business that feels profitable, enjoyable, and sustainable.

Step 1: Review 2025 – Reflect & Learn

Start by looking back at the last 12 months. Ask yourself:

• Which jobs were the most profitable?

• Which clients were easy to work with?

• Which jobs or clients drained your energy?

Next, get clear on what you want for 2026:

• Circle the things you want more of

• Cross out things you don’t want to repeat

This step helps you spot patterns in your business and gives you insight into how to shape next year.

Step 2: Plan for THE YEAR – Goals & Strategy

Once you’ve reflected, it’s time to plan. The checklist prompts you to consider:

• Job type focus: Do you want fewer big projects or more small jobs?

• Time off: Will you take holidays, a winter break, or school holidays?

• Team changes: Will you grow, stay solo, or hire help?

Finally, complete this sentence:

“In 2026, I want my business to feel _______”

Filling in that blank sets the tone for your year — whether it’s calmer, more profitable, or more enjoyable.

Step 3: Focus on Your Landscaping Work

Dig into the work itself:

• Highlight the services or tasks you enjoyed most

• Decide how many days per week you want to work

• Set three simple goals:

  1. Financial

  2. Lifestyle / time

  3. Systems or processes

This isn’t about overcomplicating things. It’s about creating clarity and control in your business so that you can enjoy your work and grow profitably.

Why This Works for Landscaping Businesses

Landscapers, gardeners, garden designers, and maintenance businesses often get caught up in the day-to-day. By taking time to reflect and plan strategically:

• You avoid repeating the same mistakes

• You focus on the clients and jobs that energise you

• You create space for sustainable growth and enjoyment

Using a checklist makes it simple to take action rather than getting stuck in “what ifs” or overwhelm.

Next Steps

If you want to make 2026 your best year yet, download the free Year-End Review checklist and follow it step by step.

And if you’d like extra guidance — tailored to your landscaping, gardening, or design business — I have 3 spaces available for 1:1 coaching where we can map out your strategy and make next year feel achievable and enjoyable.

👉 Book your discovery call

Here’s to a reflective 2025 and a thriving 2026!

Paula Warman
The Landscaper’s Coach
Host of the Limitless Landscapers Podcast

Questions people frequently ask on this topic

1. Why should a UK landscaping business do a year-end review?
A year-end review helps you reflect on profitability, client satisfaction, and workload. It’s essential for owner-led UK landscaping businesses to plan sustainable growth and avoid repeating unprofitable or stressful jobs.

2. What should I include in a year-end review for my garden business?
Focus on: most profitable jobs, clients who were easy to work with, tasks or clients that drained energy, and what you want more of in the coming year. Use these insights to plan goals and strategy for the year ahead.

3. How can I plan 2026 around seasonal landscaping work in the UK?
The checklist encourages you to decide on holiday breaks, winter downtime, and school holidays, and plan job types (big projects vs smaller jobs) to manage cashflow and workload effectively.

4. Should I set complicated goals for my landscaping or garden maintenance business?
No. Keep it simple: set three achievable goals covering finances, lifestyle/time, and systems/processes. This keeps your business manageable, profitable, and aligned with your priorities.

5. Can a year-end review help if I work solo or have a small landscaping team?
Absolutely. Solo landscapers can clarify workload and focus areas, while small teams can plan hires, delegate tasks, and organise processes. Either way, the review provides structure to make this year more productive and enjoyable.

6. How long does it take to complete the checklist?
If you set aside 20-30 minutes, you can get through reflection, planning, and goal-setting. The checklist is designed to be simple and actionable — not overwhelming.