Hiring gardeners and contractors / RHS Gardening (2024)

Professional organisations to contact

Tree surgery or tree assessment

Determine whether you need a consultant or contractor (a 'tree surgeon' may be either or both). A consultant will give professional advice on the health and safety of a tree, on the potential impact on any proposed or existing buildings or any other tree issue including Tree Preservation Orders and planning regulations. A contractor will typically carry out tree pruning, bracing, planting and felling operations and be able to identify and control (where feasible) tree pests and diseases. If you are employing someone to carry out tree work who is not a member of the Arboricultural Association, ensure they have professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance. If you wish them to provide a full tree inspection check that the individual has Lantra Professional Tree Inspection training.

The Arboricultural Association
Tel. 01242 522152
Web: www.trees.org.uk
Maintains a directory of approved contractors and consultants.

International Society of Arboriculture
Web: www.isa-arbor.com/findanarborist/findanarborist.aspx

Lawn care or weed control operator

Gardeners or other professionals who will be using pesticides (weedkillers, insecticides or fungicides) in your garden or on your land should have the appropriate spray certification; namely Safe Use of Pesticides certificates PA1(foundation) and, frequently,PA6 (hand held applicators).

Note: from 26th November 2015 anyone previously exempt from these qualifications under the so-called 'Grandfather rights' must now have the appropriate training certificate or Certificate of Competence.

Weeds on or near water: There are no weedkillers approved for the control of aquatic weeds in gardens, but there are a small number approved for use by professionals. Because of the danger of water pollution their application is very carefully controlled and prior approval for their use must be obtained from the Environment Agency or equivalent authority. The National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) can provide details of suitably qualified contractors to carry out spraying of aquatic weeds.

National Association of Agricultural Contractors
Tel: 01780 784631
Web: www.naac.co.uk

Garden designers

Consider contacting the Society of Garden Designers if you want a specialist designer to draw up expert plans for you.

Many landscaping companies also offer a design and build service, which is a cheaper option than getting a design done separately. See the section on landscapers below.

The Society of Garden Designers
Tel: (01989) 566 695
Web: www.sgd.org.uk

Landscapers

Try contacting the organisations below to find a reputable company.

The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL)
Tel: 01538 751976
Web: www.landscaper.org.uk

British Association Of Landscape Industries (BALI)
Tel: 024 7669 0333
Web:www.bali.org.uk

Landscaping professionals are encouraged to apply for a Landbased Industry Skills Scheme/Construction Skills Certification Scheme (LISS/CSCS) SmartCard which is exclusively administered by the British Association of Landscape Industries. LISS/CSCS SmartCards are issued to applicants who work on live landbased commercial sites in the UK and recognise a person’s qualifications and health and safety experience. For most SmartCards, applicants must attend and pass a Register of Landbased Operations (ROLO) health and safety course, and, sit and pass a CITB touch screen test. Applicants may also need to provide evidence of an industry-recognised qualification or training certificate to assist with their application. More information and how toapply for aLISS/CSCS SmartCard can be foundhere.

Hiring gardeners and contractors / RHS Gardening (2024)

FAQs

What do most gardeners charge per hour? ›

Garden maintenance cost per hour

You can expect to pay around £30 per hour for a gardener to come and complete general maintenance. Specific tasks such as hedge cutting could cost on average £15 – £35 an hour due to the complexity of the task, whilst pruning can cost between £15 – £35 per hour.

How do I hire a local gardener? ›

6 top tips for how to find a gardener
  1. Choose a qualified local gardener. There are thousands of gardeners out there, but not all of them have professional qualifications. ...
  2. Research what type of gardener you need. ...
  3. Always ask for references. ...
  4. Read their reviews and ratings. ...
  5. Check their insurance. ...
  6. Give them a trial.

How often should you get a gardener? ›

Depending on the size of garden, you might need them once a week, fortnightly or even once a month during the growing season. Also important is agreeing with them how and when they will be paid. You also need to agree payments for goods they might buy for the garden, such as plants, seeds, feeds.

Who is the most famous gardener? ›

History's 'Celebrity' Gardeners
  • Capability Brown. Any list of noted historical horticulturalists has to begin with Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. ...
  • Gertrude Jekyll. ...
  • Humphry Repton. ...
  • Fanny Wilkinson. ...
  • William Kent. ...
  • Charles Darwin.

How much do self employed gardeners charge per hour in Ireland? ›

The standard hourly rate for a gardener can be around €30, with more intricate tasks like hedge cutting ranging from €15 – €35 per hour. For project-based rates, complete day rates can go up to €200, potentially increasing for garden design or extensive landscaping projects.

What is the hourly rate for a gardener in USA? ›

On average, however, a typical rookie gardener's hourly rate is anywhere between $30-40 per hour, while a gardener with a degree in horticulture and more experience can run as high as $100-150 per hour. Generally, the average cost for a gardener hovers between $50-75 per hour.

Are gardeners worth it? ›

For the most part, yes. Even if you love gardening, hiring a professional gardener can save you money and time down the line. A gardener can help you pick the right plants for your soil and lawn layout.

How much is a gardener near me? ›

Gardeners near me in London

The average gardener hourly rate is around £15 - £45 per hour, depending on the type of gardening work you're hiring them for.

What does a professional gardener do? ›

Gardener responsibilities include monitoring the health of all plants and greenscapes, watering and feeding plants, trimming trees and shrubs, fertilizing and mowing lawns, weeding gardens and keeping green spaces and walkways clear of debris and litter.

What is a personal gardener? ›

A: Personal gardening is landscape garden management where our crews create and maintain beautiful garden and landscape beds for you to enjoy all season long.

What is the gardening 3 year rule? ›

The Garden: The First Year, Plants Sleep, Second Year, They Creep & Third Year, They Leap! A popular adage in the gardening world but I think it is a worthwhile reminder for all homeowners. The first year after planting means that the plant may appear to be sleeping but really it is the roots that matter!

Do you tip your gardener? ›

Tipping is at your discretion. Most people don't regularly tip their landscapers, but there are some instances where you may want to show appreciation. Here are some factors to consider: Quality of work: If your landscaper's work is high quality, you may want to show your appreciation with a tip.

Is gardening worth the cost? ›

Growing your own food is a healthy way to save money and enjoy fresh produce at home. When done correctly, even the smallest backyard plot can produce copious amounts of fruits and vegetables and possibly even a significant saving to the grocery budget.

What is a female gardener called? ›

A female gardener is called a Gardenerette. Or a Gardengal.

Who is a famous female gardener? ›

Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932)

Her partnership with the young architect, Edwin Lutyens, lasted nearly 25 years and their collaboration produced over 100 houses and gardens at the pinnacle of Edwardian garden design. Jekyll authored ten books in as many years, alongside thousands of articles.

What is the most beautiful garden in the world? ›

World's Prettiest Flower Gardens
  • Mirabell Palace — Austria. ...
  • Singapore Botanic Gardens — Singapore.
  • Dubai Miracle Garden — Dubai.
  • Volksgarten — Austria. ...
  • Kenroku-en — Japan. ...
  • Pukekura Park — New Zealand.
  • Shinjuku Gyo-en — Tokyo.
  • Longwood Gardens — Pennsylvania.
2 days ago

Do gardeners make a lot of money? ›

As of Jun 7, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Professional Gardener in California is $21.71 an hour.

How much does a UK gardener charge per hour? ›

Hourly rates vary depending on where you live and what kind of gardener you are hiring. The average cost per hour for a gardener in the UK is £27 per hour but can range from a £12 to £59 hourly rate. Large landscaping companies and local gardeners will vary in price so you need to know what you are looking for.

How much does it cost to landscape a small garden Ireland? ›

Average Cost of Landscaping in Ireland

Small Projects: For minor work, such as small beds or borders, expect to pay around €500 – €1,500. Medium Projects: Medium-sized projects like a modest garden redesign or installation of features such as small patios or decks can range from €2,000 to €5,000.

What do most landscapers charge per hour? ›

Cost by Hour

Landscaping, above many other home-makeover tasks, remains incredibly labor-intensive. Homeowners tend to pay $50 to $100 per hour. Labor costs rely on your location since urban areas are more expensive than rural ones.

How much do gardeners make an hour in California? ›

Gardener Salary in California
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$59,214$28
75th Percentile$49,800$24
Average$46,877$23
25th Percentile$35,500$17

How much do self employed gardeners make per hour NZ? ›

The average hourly rate for gardeners is between $23 - $30 per hour. The differences in earnings usually depend on the employer and the complexity of tasks. Most employers pay similar hourly rates for basic gardening services like weeding, hedging, lawn mowing and cleaning.

References

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