Anyone planning a garden clearance in Kent soon finds out how much waste one garden can produce.
Cut back an overgrown hedge, lift an old patio or take down a tired shed, and the garden waste bin is full before lunch.
This guide explains what to do with each type of garden waste, what to avoid, and when a professional collection is the more practical option.
Why garden waste builds up so quickly
Kent is known as the Garden of England for good reason. Mild weather and a long growing season mean hedges, lawns and borders put on a lot of growth each year.
Council garden waste collections are designed for regular, light use. They are useful for grass cuttings and prunings, but they have limits.
Several Kent councils run garden waste collection as a paid subscription, and materials such as soil, turf and rubble are often not accepted in the bin.
A bigger project can leave you with more than the bin will hold, and with materials it was never meant for. That is the gap local firms such as Bryson Rubbish Clearance fill, by collecting what the council bin won’t take.
What to do with each type of garden waste
Different materials need different routes. Sorting them from the start saves time later.
Green waste
Grass cuttings, leaves, hedge trimmings and small branches are the easiest to deal with.
A compost heap will take a good share. The rest can go in the council garden waste bin or to a household waste recycling centre.
Large volumes, thick branches and tree stumps are harder. They are heavy, awkward to transport and can take several trips.
Soil and turf
Soil is one of the most difficult garden materials to move. It is heavy, messy and generally can’t go in a garden waste bin.
Local ground conditions make a difference. Gardens on the Isle of Sheppey and in parts of the Weald sit on heavy clay, which is hard to dig and even harder to lift. On the North Downs, chalky soil full of flint is common.
If the soil is clean, try to reuse it first in raised beds or borders, or to level a lawn. Neighbours, allotment holders and local gardening groups will sometimes take good topsoil.
Where there is too much to reuse, it needs to be collected.
Rubble, paving slabs and hardcore
Old patios, broken paving, bricks and concrete bases all count as hardcore.
This material can usually be recycled, but it has to reach the right facility. It should not go in household bins, and it shouldn’t be mixed in with green waste.
Concrete shed bases and old path edging are often the heaviest part of a garden project, so plan for them early.
Sheds, fencing and decking
Garden timber is not the same as green waste. Fence panels, decking and shed timber are normally treated or painted, so they can’t be composted and should not be burned.
A shed or greenhouse also needs dismantling safely, with glass, roofing felt and concrete bases dealt with separately.
Older garages and outbuildings sometimes have cement sheet roofing that may contain asbestos. If you suspect this, leave it alone and take specialist advice.
Garden furniture, play equipment and everything else
Rusted barbecues, broken trampolines, plastic furniture, old pots and water butts tend to collect in corners for years.
Items in usable condition can be passed on. The rest will need to go to a recycling centre or be collected.
Tackling an overgrown garden: where to start
A neglected garden can look overwhelming. A simple order of work helps.
- Start nearest the house and work outwards, so you always have a clear route.
- Cut back brambles, ivy and long grass first, and stack the cuttings in one place.
- Look for hidden hazards, such as broken glass, old ponds, wire and uneven paving.
- Pull out the rubbish as you find it, and keep it apart from the green waste.
- Leave heavy items, such as slabs and concrete, until the ground is clear.
Wear thick gloves and sturdy boots. Check piles of leaves and cuttings for hedgehogs and other wildlife before you move them.
If the job is more than a weekend’s work, this is the point where many people call in a clearance team.
Taking garden waste to a Kent recycling centre
For a small amount, a trip to the tip is a sensible choice. It helps to know the rules first.
Booking and limits
Kent County Council asks residents to book a slot before visiting a household waste recycling centre. The centres take garden waste, but they are not designed for large quantities of soil, rubble or hardcore, and limits apply.
Medway Council runs its own sites, with its own rules, so residents of Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, Strood and Rainham should check separately.
Is it practical?
Think about what the job involves before you start.
Wet soil and rubble are heavy enough to overload a family car. Branches and brambles scratch the upholstery. A large garden can mean many trips, each one booked in advance.
For a few bags, it works well. For a whole garden, it can take up several weekends.
What not to do with garden waste
A few shortcuts cause more problems than they solve.
- Don’t leave it in a pile for months. Heaps of waste can attract rats and other pests.
- Don’t rely on a bonfire. Smoke can be a nuisance to neighbours, and treated timber should not be burned.
- Don’t dump it on verges, in woodland or over the back fence. Garden waste left on land that isn’t yours is fly-tipping.
- Don’t hand it to an unlicensed collector. If your waste is dumped, it may be traced back to you.
Invasive plants
Some plants need extra care. Invasive species such as Japanese knotweed should not go in a garden waste bin or on a compost heap.
If you think you have it, take specialist advice before disturbing it.
Nesting birds
Check hedges and shrubs for nests before cutting them back, particularly in spring and summer. If birds are nesting, leave that section until the young have gone.
Protected trees
Before removing a tree, check whether it is protected. Trees in conservation areas, including parts of Canterbury, Faversham and Rochester, and trees covered by a preservation order need the council’s agreement first.
Your local council can tell you what applies.
When to book a garden clearance in Kent
A professional garden clearance in Kent makes sense when the job is too big, too heavy or too mixed for the bin and the car boot.
This can include:
- An overgrown garden at a new home or rental property
- Waste left behind after landscaping or a new patio
- A shed that needs taking down and removing
- Clearing a garden before a house sale
- A garden with no side access, where everything must be carried through
A clearance team does the lifting, loads the vehicle and takes everything away in one visit.
Bryson Rubbish Clearance, for example, collects green waste, soil, rubble, paving slabs and wood. The company covers towns from Canterbury and Medway to the Isle of Sheppey, and offers waste collection in Maidstone and the surrounding villages.
Whoever you choose, the checks further down this guide apply.
What is included in a garden clearance?
A clearance removes waste. It is not the same as regular garden maintenance or landscaping.
A clearance team collects, loads and removes the waste, and can usually take down items such as an old shed. Cutting, pruning and replanting are jobs for a gardener. Ask what is included when you request a quotation.
Garden clearance before a sale or a new tenancy
A tidy garden makes a difference to how a property looks.
Selling a home
Estate agents often suggest clearing the garden before photographs are taken. Removing old sheds, broken furniture and piles of waste makes the space look larger and better cared for.
Rental properties
Landlords and letting agents regularly inherit gardens that tenants have not kept up. A single clearance between tenancies resets the garden, and dated photographs afterwards give a record of its condition.
The best time of year for a garden clearance
A garden can be cleared at any time, but some seasons suit certain jobs.
Late winter and early spring
Plants are dormant, so it is easier to see the structure of the garden and reach into overgrown corners. Clearing now gives you a clean start before growth takes off.
Summer
Longer days and dry ground make heavy work easier. It is a popular time for patios, decking and landscaping, all of which produce waste.
Autumn
Leaf fall, final hedge cuts and the end of the growing season create a lot of green waste. It is a good moment to clear out sheds and tired furniture before winter.
Bank holiday weekends and the first warm spell of spring are busy for clearance companies and recycling centres alike. Book ahead if you have a date in mind.
How to prepare for a garden clearance
A few minutes of preparation helps the job run smoothly.
- Walk round the garden and decide exactly what is going.
- Take photographs, as these help with an accurate quotation.
- Mark anything that is staying, such as pots, tools or ornaments.
- Keep green waste, soil and rubble in separate piles where you can.
- Check the access, including gates, side passages and parking.
- Tell the company about anything heavy, sharp or unusual.
If the only way out is through the house, say so. The team can then plan the route before they arrive.
How to choose a garden clearance company
The same checks apply as for any waste collection.
Look for a company that:
- Is registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier
- Provides waste documentation after the job
- Can explain how green waste, soil and rubble are recycled
- Gives a clear quotation from photographs or a visit
- Has good local reviews
A local company will also know the area, from the narrow lanes around Faversham to the holiday parks on Sheppey, and can plan access accordingly.
Garden clearance FAQs
How much does a garden clearance cost?
It depends on the job. The price is usually affected by the volume and weight of the waste, the type of material, how easy the garden is to reach and whether anything needs dismantling.
Most companies will quote from photographs or a visit.
Can soil and rubble be taken with green waste?
Yes. A clearance company can usually take them in the same visit. It helps to keep them in separate piles so each material can be recycled properly.
Do I need to be at home?
Not necessarily. If the garden can be reached without going through the house, many clearances can be done while you are out, as long as access has been agreed.
Can a shed be dismantled and taken away?
Yes, in most cases. Tell the company the size of the shed, what it is made of and whether it sits on a concrete base, as this affects the time needed.
How quickly can a garden be cleared?
Many gardens can be cleared in a single visit. Larger or very overgrown plots may take longer. Some companies can offer short-notice or same-day appointments, depending on workload.
Is garden waste recycled?
In most cases, yes. Green waste can be composted, soil and rubble can be processed for reuse, and clean timber and metal can be recycled. Ask the company how each material is handled.
Clear your garden without filling the car
For a few bags of cuttings, the garden waste bin and the compost heap are all you need.
For anything larger, a single collection is often quicker and easier than repeated trips to the recycling centre.
If you would like a price for your own garden clearance, Bryson Rubbish Clearance offers a free, no-obligation quotation across Sittingbourne, Faversham, the Isle of Sheppey, Maidstone, Canterbury and Medway.