How to Hire a Gardener

If you just don't have the time, skill or patience to cultivate your dream garden, hire a gardener to transform your yard into an oasis. Or you can just hire someone for the basic upkeep--mowing the lawn, raking leaves and hauling away debris--and take care of the more creative work yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide if you'd like garden help on a regular or occasional basis. Typically, a standard-size suburban garden requires at least several hours of work each week during the growing season.
2. Ask neighbors and friends for recommendations. Ask why they like their gardener and what specialties that person might have. Or ask for names at a local nursery.
3. Schedule tasks seasonally. Some tasks like cutting the grass and weeding need to be done weekly; others like fertilizing happen a few times a year; and still others, such as pruning and planting bulbs, are required annually. Gardening services can give you estimates that run from an hourly rate to a seasonal fee. If all you need is someone to mow the lawn and clean up debris, a weekly "mow and blow" service should suffice.
4. Tell the gardener how you want your garden treated and what materials can and can't be used. If you want the weeding done by hand instead of with an herbicide, for instance, make this clear.
5. Choose a gardener whose gardening style fits yours. If you like a natural look, then don't hire someone who tries to turn every shrub into a poodle.
6. Determine the gardener's skill level if you need special services, such as sprinkler maintenance or repair.
7. Decide if you or the gardener will choose, buy or put in plants. The gardener will usually bill you separately for plants and other supplies such as fertilizer or soil amendments.
8. Make sure you agree on work schedule details, such as what happens on rainy days, holidays and vacations.

Who Can Help:

• Find Prescreened Landscaping - Maintenance of Lawn & Trees Contractors at ServiceMagic.com

What to Look For:

• Recommendations
• Chores required
• Matching styles
• Type of garden
• Skill level

Tips & Warnings

• Keep tabs on what your gardener is doing, or you may end up paying for regular chemical spraying or herbicide lawn applications that do more harm than good.
• Remember a good gardener on special occasions with a gift or bonus. See How to Tip Properly.
• Be wary of gardening businesses that stop by your house and tell you what problems your garden has and how they will fix them. A reputable business won't do this.