Garden and grass maintenance

Consistent care prevents common issues like moss invasion, waterlogging, and invasive weeds. For most UK homeowners, regular visits from a gardener save significant time and ensure that expensive plants and turf are protected from the elements and pests.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Lawn Mowing: Cutting grass to a height appropriate for the season, typically leaving it longer during dry spells to retain moisture.
• Edging and Strimming: Using precision tools to define lawn borders and clear grass from around trees, fences, and walls.
• Weeding and Mulching: Removing weeds from beds and applying bark or compost to suppress future growth and retain soil nutrients.
• Pruning and Deadheading: Trimming shrubs and removing spent flowers to encourage new growth and maintain the garden's shape.
• Lawn Treatments: Applying fertilisers, moss killers, and selective herbicides, alongside aeration and scarification.
• Waste Management: Collecting green waste for on-site composting or off-site disposal at a licensed facility.

Typical Costs

Prices vary based on your location in the UK, with the South East and London typically commanding a 20-30% premium. Most gardeners charge either a flat "per visit" fee for routine maintenance or an hourly rate for larger projects.

Factors affecting the price include the size of the garden, the complexity of the planting, and whether the gardener needs to provide their own machinery and fuel. Access issues, such as having to carry equipment through a terraced house, may also increase the labour time.

How Long Does It Take?

• Routine Lawn Maintenance: 30 to 90 minutes depending on the size and number of obstacles.
• Standard Garden Tidy-up: 2 to 4 hours for a typical semi-detached garden including weeding and pruning.
• Full Seasonal Overhaul: 1 to 2 days for intensive tasks like hedge reduction, bed digging, and pressure washing.
• Lawn Scarification: 2 to 5 hours depending on the amount of thatch and the size of the lawn.

DIY or Professional?

Basic mowing and weeding are manageable DIY tasks if you have the time and physical ability. However, professional gardeners bring industrial-grade machinery that produces a superior finish and can handle wet or long grass that domestic mowers struggle with.

For tasks involving chemical applications (like professional-strength weed killers) or complex pruning, hiring a professional is safer. UK regulations also require specific licences for the commercial application of pesticides and the legal transport of green waste.

Professional gardeners often spot plant diseases or pest infestations weeks before a homeowner, potentially saving you hundreds of pounds in replacement plant costs.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check for Insurance: Ensure they have Public Liability insurance (minimum £1m-£2m) to cover damage to your property or neighbours.
• Waste Carrier Licence: Ask to see their Environment Agency waste carrier licence if they are taking clippings away.
• Equipment: Confirm they provide their own petrol or cordless tools and don't rely on your electricity or mower.
• Experience: Look for RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) qualifications for complex planting or pruning.

Questions to ask:

• Do you have a regular schedule, and what happens if it rains on my scheduled day?
• Are your prices inclusive of green waste disposal fees?
• Do you bring your own tools and fuel, or do you need access to my garage/power?
• Can you provide references from other local gardens you maintain?

UK Regulations

• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: It is an offence to intentionally damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. Heavy hedge trimming should be avoided between March and August.
• Waste Regulations: Gardeners must have a Waste Carrier Licence to transport garden waste from your property. Fly-tipping carries heavy fines for both the gardener and the homeowner.
• Pesticide Use: Professional-grade herbicides require a NPTC PA1/PA6 certificate for legal application in a commercial capacity.
• Noise Ordinances: Most local councils have bylaws regarding the use of noisy power tools (typically restricted before 8 am and after 8 pm).

Common Problems

• Scalping the Lawn: Cutting grass too short, especially in summer, weakens the roots and allows moss and weeds to take over.
• Blunt Mower Blades: Tearing the grass rather than cutting it cleanly leads to brown, frayed tips and disease.
• Improper Pruning: Cutting shrubs at the wrong time of year can remove next year’s flower buds or leave the plant vulnerable to frost.
• Over-fertilising: Applying too much nitrogen-rich feed in dry weather can "burn" the lawn, leaving permanent brown patches.
• Poor Drainage: Ignoring soil compaction leads to waterlogging; a professional will recommend aeration to solve this.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should my lawn be mowed in the UK?

During the peak growing season (April to September), fortnightly mows are standard. In a very wet or warm spring, you may require weekly visits to keep the grass manageable.

Will my gardener work in the rain?

Most will perform tasks like weeding or pruning in light rain. However, mowing wet grass is usually avoided as it can smear the soil, clog machinery, and damage the lawn's surface.

Are lawn treatments safe for pets and children?

Most modern fertilisers and weed killers are safe once dry, usually within 2-4 hours. Always ask your gardener for the specific product data sheet and keep pets inside during application.

Do I need to be home for the gardener to visit?

No, as long as the gardener has clear access to the garden (e.g., an unlocked side gate) and a way to communicate. Many homeowners pay via bank transfer to avoid needing to be present.

What is the difference between a gardener and a landscaper?

A gardener focuses on "soft landscaping" and maintenance (plants, lawns, pruning). A landscaper typically handles "hard landscaping" like patios, walls, fencing, and major garden construction.

Why is there moss in my lawn every year?

Moss thrives in damp, shaded, or compacted soil. A gardener can help by scarifying the moss out, aerating the soil to improve drainage, and applying a specific moss treatment.