Do you have a gardener

swingaloo

I'm moving house soon and where I'm going has a wraparound garden on 3 sides of the house. each is like its own little separate area as in some is mostly lawn whilst some is more flower beds and there is also a veg patch. I would love to be a good gardener but too be honest I'm not very good at all. I'm ok with sticking in the bedding plants while they look new and nice but I'm rubbish at knowing what I'm doing when it comes to cutting back such like. I've always got by but for health reasons I cant do much now and I would hate for the lovely garden I'm inheriting to be ruined. So I'm thinking of getting a gardener for the first time in my life. 
Just wondered how often and for how many hours it is necessary to keep on top. Its only a semi so we are just talking average size garden, not acres.
What's about average to pay and how many hours a fortnight/month. Just wondered what others do.

ElephantBoy57

Difficult to say, it depends on how much attention they give your garden. I cut a few peoples lawns, one person gives me £10 per fortnightly session.

If I left the lawn for a month, it would take longer to cut and the fee should be £15, but this person will only pay £10, my fault if I don't do it every two weeks. I the dry weather last month, I was happy to leave it longer. Gargening is not my full time job, so they may charge more.

RobM99

It really is "it depends"! As stated, a simple lawn cut - £10-£15 once a fortnight.
Sounds like you need an enthusiast rather than a professional, someone who'd be happy with a couple of hours a week. 

sharpe106

Depending on area I would have though £15 an hour be fair, but depends what they are doing and where you live. 

MovingForwards

Lawns tend to be upto £30, depending on size and location. As others have said £15ph would be reasonable for general tending. 

I've never had a gardener, always done my best to do it myself, even now I bumble on through. My OH does the heavy stuff, lifting and shifting, I do things like potting up, sowing seeds, planting, using a trowel to scrape / expose roots so OH can remove tree / bush stumps. I'm making my garden disabled friendly, so it fits with my limitations. I've got herbs, veg, fruit, roses and flowers.

Read books, watch YouTube videos and join gardening groups as you may get to find a gardener that way too. Word of mouth is the best recommendation.

Good luck in your new home and I hope you haven't much longer to wait!

swingaloo

Thank you for the replies.  I am looking forward to moving as I've had a paved garden for the last 10+ years and have only had tubs so I'm quite keen to get a lawn and a 'proper' garden.  I've had a walk round looking at where I'm moving to I seem to have a few elderly neighbours with lovely gardens so either they are keen gardeners and I can pick their brains or they may have someone they use and can recommend. I remember my dad loving his garden but I had no interest when he was still around, he took it very seriously, went to classes and would always be on about soil types and quoting Latin names for flowers. At the time I just thought it was all a bit boring but I so wish I had shown more interest. When he died he left lots of gardening books which I donated to the local charity shops. I will be down there when they open again to buy some for myself. 

MovingForwards

We can't change our history and charity shops do have some fantastic gardening books! I've picked a few up for 50p each.  
Your neighbours will enjoy passing on hints and tips, they probably do a little weeding each day, rather than trying to do the whole garden at once.

I've only had my garden since the start of last month and if I can walk, I can make it down to it. It's probably only 2 days I've not made it down. 

I have a little plastic step stool and a picnic blanket to take down with me, depending on what I plan to do, trying to get back up leaves me laughing so much the tears stream down my face. It's made a huge difference to my quality of life and will do for you too.

Mojisola

There are quite a few 'gardeners' who advertise who are really 'grass cutters' and not plants people so talk to potential workers to find out how much they actually know.

If you're lucky, you'll find an active pensioner who loves gardening and wants to earn a bit extra to top up their pension.

pollypenny

We are in a similar situation with a big corner plot. We have the lawns cut every fortnight for £25. We also have the chap to do other heavy gardening jobs when the grass season is over.