Planning a garden clearance in Scotland? This guide covers everything from skip size to what you can dispose of.
A garden clearance can be a major project, but with the right skip and a bit of planning, it's very manageable. Here's our complete guide to garden clearances in Scotland.
Planning Your Garden Clearance
Step 1: Assess the Volume
Walk around your garden and estimate the volume of waste:
- How many wheelbarrow loads of grass/soil?
- How many branches and shrubs need to be removed?
- Any hard landscaping (paving slabs, gravel) to remove?
- Any structures (sheds, greenhouses) to demolish?
Step 2: Choose the Right Skip
For garden clearances, we recommend:
- **Small garden tidy-up**: 2 or 4 yard skip
- **Medium garden clearance**: 4 or 6 yard skip
- **Full garden overhaul**: 6 or 8 yard skip
- **Landscaping with soil removal**: 8-12 yard skip (soil is heavy!)
Step 3: Separate Your Waste
Try to separate:
- Soil and turf (heavy — goes in first)
- Green waste (grass, leaves, soft material)
- Woody waste (branches, hedge trimmings)
- Hard landscaping (slabs, bricks, concrete)
What Garden Waste Can Go in the Skip?
Accepted:
- Grass cuttings and lawn trimmings
- Leaves and plant material
- Hedge trimmings and branches
- Soil, turf and compost
- Weeds (including invasive species — bagged separately)
- Garden furniture and sheds (non-toxic)
- Paving slabs and garden edging
- Gravel and stone
Not Accepted:
- Chemical containers and pesticides
- Treated timber with hazardous chemicals
- Asbestos (found in some older garden buildings)
Tips for an Efficient Garden Clearance
- **Work from the boundaries inward** — clear the edges first, then move to the centre
- **Hire a shredder** for large quantities of woody waste — it reduces volume significantly
- **Keep soil separate** — it's extremely heavy and fills skips quickly
- **Cut branches to manageable lengths** — they pack into the skip more efficiently when shorter
- **Don't overfill** — keep waste below the skip's top edge
Scottish Weather Consideration
Planning around the weather makes a clearance much more pleasant. In Scotland, aim for:
- Spring (March-May): Before grass grows back vigorously
- Autumn (September-November): After summer growth dies back
Ready to Book?
Call us on 01324321043 for a free quote. We can usually deliver a skip within 24 hours across central Scotland.