After a good garden tidy, the cuttings often take up more room than you expected. A few bags of leaves and grass can sit beside branches that are too long to fit inside them. We can assess both, and it helps to tell us how much of each is ready to go.
Show the whole pile
Count the bags and photograph the loose branches from a distance as well as up close. Tell us if anything is particularly long or bulky. If you have used reusable sacks, say whether you want them left behind. Keep soil, stones and other heavy materials separate on the list so we can assess them clearly.
Explain how we can reach the garden
A front garden with direct access is different from a rear garden reached through a narrow passage. Tell us whether there is a side gate or whether the rubbish has to pass through the house. When you ask us about garden waste collection in London, include the postcode and a photo of the access as well as the cuttings.
Let us know when the work is finished
Tell us if you are still pruning or if the load is ready for collection. If the pile grows after you send the photos, send a new photo before the appointment. That gives us a chance to discuss the updated amount and agree what we will take.
Give us a picture of what will be ready
An enquiry might say “three sacks of clippings, a small pile of loose leaves and two long bundles of branches behind the side gate”. Include the longest branch length if you can check it easily. Mention whether someone will finish the pruning on the day and how much more you expect, so we can discuss which items are included.
If the rubbish will fit your usual garden waste service, check the rules for branch length, sacks and extra bags with your borough. You can find your council by postcode on GOV.UK. For a larger one-off load, a photo of the whole pile helps us understand the difference.
Related guide: Garden cuttings, soil and turf after landscaping.
