One of our teams had a great day onsite this week in Plymouth, carrying out improvement works at a care home where we provide regular grounds maintenance services.

The client wanted to make better use of an old, unused pond area within the grounds. While the pond had once been a feature of the site, over time it had become unused and no longer suited the space. The aim was to completely transform the area into something more practical, attractive and enjoyable for residents and visitors.

After discussing ideas with the client, the plan was to create a brand new raised flower bed that would brighten up the area and improve the overall appearance of the grounds.

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Preparing the Site

As with many landscaping and grounds improvement projects, preparation was key.

The existing pond area first needed to be safely filled and levelled before construction work could begin. To complete the job efficiently, the team brought in a hired digger and dumper supplied by M&D in Dawlish.

Using the machinery, the team carefully filled in the pond area, reshaped the surrounding ground levels and prepared the site ready for the next stage of works.

Projects like this require more than simply moving soil around. Getting the levels right is important to ensure the finished area sits naturally within the rest of the grounds and remains practical to maintain moving forward.

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Creating a More Usable Outdoor Space

One of the biggest benefits of projects like this is improving how outdoor spaces can actually be used day to day.

Care home grounds are incredibly important environments. Well-maintained and thoughtfully designed outdoor areas help create a more welcoming atmosphere for residents, visitors and staff alike. Spaces that feel bright, tidy and accessible encourage people to spend more time outdoors and enjoy the surroundings.

By replacing the unused pond with a raised flower bed, the area will now become a much more positive feature within the grounds rather than a neglected space.

Once planted up, the new bed will add colour, structure and seasonal interest to the site throughout the year.

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Grounds Maintenance That Goes Beyond Grass Cutting

While many people associate grounds maintenance with lawn cutting and hedge trimming, projects like this highlight how varied the work can actually be.

At DTG Trees & Grounds, we regularly support clients not only with routine maintenance, but also with improvement works designed to enhance outdoor environments over time.

This can include:

• Landscaping improvements
• Raised beds and planting areas
• Site clearances
• Boundary work and fencing
• Reshaping outdoor spaces
• General grounds upgrades

For commercial sites, care homes and managed properties, these smaller improvement projects can make a huge difference to the overall feel and usability of a site.

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Working Across Care Homes and Commercial Sites

We work with a range of commercial and managed sites across Devon and the South West, including care homes, holiday parks, residential developments and business premises.

For care sector clients especially, maintaining outdoor spaces to a high standard is incredibly important. Presentation, accessibility and safety all play a role in creating comfortable surroundings for residents and visitors.

By combining regular maintenance with practical site improvements, we help ensure outdoor spaces remain clean, functional and welcoming throughout the year.

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A Great Team Effort

This project was another fantastic effort from the team, who worked hard throughout the day to complete the transformation safely and efficiently.

From operating machinery and reshaping the ground to constructing the raised bed itself, every stage of the project was completed with care and attention to detail.

Most importantly, the client was delighted with the result, which is always the main goal.

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Grounds Improvement & Maintenance Across Devon

At DTG Trees & Grounds, we provide professional grounds maintenance, landscaping and site improvement services across Devon and the South West.

Whether it is regular maintenance work, a one-off project or transforming unused outdoor areas into something more practical and attractive, our team is always happy to help.

If your commercial property, care home or managed site could benefit from grounds improvement works, get in touch with the team today 🌿