Tony O’Neill, expert gardener and best-selling author of the famous “Simplify Vegetable Gardening,” “Composting Masterclass,” and “Your First Vegetable Garden,” combines lifelong passion and expert knowledge to simplify gardening. His mission? Helping you cultivate a thriving garden. More on Tony O’Neill
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We hire a gardener when short on time and lacking the necessary skills, equipment, and enthusiasm. It’s easy to see why gardeners charge what they do, whether for seasonal landscaping maintenance, one-off work like bond cleans, or regular lawn care service.
They are priceless in terms of our peace of mind, family, and property, not to mention the time they save us.
Find out how much gardening services around you cost if you’re thinking about starting a garden (or need maintenance help).
Your Gardener is likely to include some or all of the following services.
Lawn Mowing
One of the most crucial aspects of yard management is lawn mowing. It’s critical to get the mowing frequency and cutting height perfect if you want your lawn to always look healthy.
You can pay your gardener to mow your lawn from $1.20-$2.27 per sq foot.
Edging and clippings removal may be included with grass mowing. For the type of mower needed or the number of clippings to be removed, the price varies depending on the size of the lawn and how overgrown the grass is.
Weeding
Weeding is strenuous labor that demands much bending over, especially in the garden. Even with regular mowing, watering, and leaf removal, a weed problem can develop. Hiring a professional can help keep your lawn and garden weed-free.
Usually, weeding costs about $65-$90. It will increase depending on your garden size.
Weed removal from garden beds and lawns is a straightforward service; pricing might vary depending on how deep-rooted the weeds are, whether weed spray is required, and the type of weed spray required.
Tree and Shrub Trimming Cost
To maintain a healthy shape and size, bushy shrubs should be pruned occasionally, especially during the growing season, just after they blossom. To prune the edges of the shrub to a desired form and size, gardeners can use various instruments such as pruning shears or loppers.
Tree and shrub trimming can cost you by the hour. Sometimes it will cost you $120 -$250
Tree trimming and pruning entail removing some of a mature tree’s branches and leaves for various purposes, such as cyclone or tropical storm preparedness.
For safety or to maintain the tree’s health, dead branches and leaves should be removed, while leaves should be clipped for aesthetic reasons.
Planting of trees and flowers
Planting flowers and trees in your garden is an excellent example of art and science. Tree planting services range from $47 to $2,000, determined by the number of trees and the species to be planted.
Rather than relying solely on aesthetics, consult with a gardener or landscaper. They have the knowledge and information to assist you in selecting vegetables, fruits, flowers, shrubs, and other plants best suited to your terrain and climate. Your gardener can also help you in choosing flowers, trees, and plants that:
- Less maintenance, pruning, and trimming is required.
- Bring in hummingbirds or other birds.
- Grow well in your soil conditions or the sunlight available where you intend to plant them.
Waste Disposal
A trash removal service may cost between $55 and $150.
Green waste, such as dead leaves, is disposed of almost every season. Allowing a season to pass without removing your garden waste may result in higher costs. When applying for a garden skip bin, you can enlist the gardener’s help you’re hiring.
Mulching
Mulching is a popular gardening technique that, when done correctly, is beneficial to plants. It covers the soil with mulches such as bark, wood chips, leaves, and other organic material to retain moisture and improve soil condition.
Mulch installation costs typically range from $0.20 to $0.60 per square foot, with an average fee of $0.35 per square foot. Mulch costs about $175 for a 500-square-foot garden, with most homeowners spending between $100 and $300. This includes a three-inch layer of mulch as well as installation labor.
Fertilizing
Fertilizers provide essential nutrients in the soil that all plants require for healthy, vigorous growth.
Fertilizing your garden can cost between $30 and $35.
Fertilizer is typically applied before and after the winter season to assist plants in thriving.
Remember that the prices for fertilizer and weed control products are not included above. Before beginning the job, discuss supply and service costs with a professional gardener.
Factors That Can Increase Your Gardener Cost
It is critical to consider the following factors when estimating the cost of any job you want. However, any factor that lengthens the time to finish the task will raise the total cost.
Type of Service You Need
Grass mowing, hedge trimming, clearance, landscaping, tree pruning, patio or decking cleaning, lawn upkeep, and more are all chores that fall under the category of garden maintenance. The more of these jobs you have, the longer it will take to accomplish them, resulting in a larger fee.
Size of Garden
The cost of lawn mowing, hedge trimming, and plant maintenance is affected by the size of the area to be worked on. More extensive gardens, for example, will typically have giant grass and hedges and cost more than smaller gardens.
Equipment and Material
Gardeners’ costs typically include labor and equipment used to execute the work. Prices will vary for extra-special jobs and installations that require design, technical abilities, and hard labor. However, if a costly weed spray, mulch, or supplies to make garden beds and seats are needed, they will incur additional charges because they are not included in the regular prices.
Gardener’s Experience
Hiring a more skilled gardener will cost more, but the ultimate result will be better.
Location of Where You Lived
The cost of a gardener is also determined by the climate in which you live. If you live in a cooler region, you won’t have to spend as much on primary care as someone who lives in a warmer environment, where grass grows considerably faster.
How Many Gardeners You Need
Suppose you have many jobs in your garden. To perform larger works efficiently, more than one gardener may be required. You will spend more on the whole job if you hire more gardeners. However, having more gardeners means the job will take less time, saving you money in the long run.
How to Hire a Gardener
Hiring a gardener is not a simple task. You can Google ‘gardening services near me to find a list of providers, but you must decide who is qualified for the job.
Here are some simple guidelines to help you find the proper gardener.
Check Qualifications
The most significant thing to look for in a gardener is their gardening knowledge. Check to see if they have a horticulture diploma or certificate.
You would never want to jeopardize the life of your plants, so hire the most qualified gardener possible.
Check Online Reviews
Look at the reviews for the gardener you’re interested in if they have an online platform. Online reviews will assist you in determining the level of service this gardener can provide.
Request References
Inquiring for references is a great way to satisfy yourself and learn about the gardener’s work quality. Every seasoned gardener would have a list of previous clients.
Request the contact information of a few people so you can call them and inquire about their experience with that particular gardener. Inquire specifically whether or not they would recommend that gardener.
Negotiate
While there are online estimates for gardening work, the cost of a gardening job is determined by the type of work required, the expertise and experience of the gardener, and the current state of your garden.
Create a checklist of what needs to be done and estimate the cost based on your research.
When you opt to work with a company, an account manager will convey your project brief and then get back to you with their proposal on the work needed, the number of staff, the duration of the project, and the price. Working with a company can be costly, but that is the price you pay for convenience.
Working with an individual, on the other hand, can be less expensive and more personalized. Individuals can create a custom job order for you and work within the budget you provide. Talk to them over coffee and even show them around your garden. You can even talk about garden maintenance that you can do on your own to save money.
Examine the cost estimate line by line for both a company and an individual and secure a contract. You don’t want to be charged for a task you don’t have to pay for or be surprised by additional fees later on.
Gardening Services – How to Save Money:
Gardening services can be expensive, especially if you need them regularly. To help you save money, we’ve compiled a list of our top tips for hiring a gardener on a budget:
Use second-hand materials
While some professionals will source materials for you, obtaining your materials may save you money. Look for used garden materials at yard sales, thrift stores, and online classifieds to give them a new lease on life.
Stay local
If you hire a local gardener, they won’t have to charge you for extra travel expenses, keeping things cheap and cheerful.
Choose a low-maintenance garden.
If you choose low-maintenance garden options, such as artificial grass, you will not need to hire a gardener frequently to keep things in order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a living as a gardener?
While generating a full-time gardening income is difficult, making a side income from your garden is simpler than you might think. Most people consider gardening a seasonal activity that begins in the spring and ends in the fall, returning and forth each year.
Do I need insurance to be a gardener?
You must ensure proper insurance coverage to protect your gardening business. This could include things like public liability insurance. This can include compensation if someone else is injured or their property is damaged due to your work.
Is being a gardener hard?
To be a professional gardener, you must put in a lot of effort (physically and mentally), as well as patience and dedication. You may already have some experience doing this for your mother’s garden or your own, but it’s never too late to learn how to do it properly.
In Summary
Whether you take on large projects like these is entirely up to you, but hiring a professional may be the best option. It might be worth a shot if you want to do more regular gardening work. Gardening can be a great way to unwind, and you can always start by doing some of the work yourself and hiring a gardener to assist when needed.
