If you’re seeking a lush, well-maintained garden without the hassle of DIY, hiring a gardener is an option you’ll want to consider. But how much does a gardener cost? In this post, you’ll learn not just about average gardener costs but also about the nuances you’ll need to understand before hiring somebody to care for your sprawling lawn, vibrant flower beds, or intricate landscape. You likely won’t regret hiring a gardener for a day—or on an ongoing basis—but it’s always smart to do your due diligence first!
How Much is a Gardener?
The cost of hiring local gardeners can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of your garden or yard, the gardener’s experience, and the specific services you need them to provide. As such, gardening prices can be as unique as your yard. 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.
But within these varied rates, what does a gardener do? Again, it depends! Higher-skilled gardeners might handle tasks like pruning and irrigation system installation, while newer gardeners might do basic yard cleanup and lawn care. If you’re wondering, “How much should I pay a gardener per hour?” check with family, friends, or the internet to figure out what an appropriate rate is for your area.
Factors Affecting Gardening Prices
While it’s a nice splurge to hire a gardener for a day, you’ll always want to consider the following factors before making a final decision.
Yard Size
When the question of “How much does a gardener cost?” is at the forefront of your mind, the first major factor you’ll need to consider is the size of your yard. Square footage is a significant factor that influences how much a gardener costs. Because larger lawns take longer to mow, larger gardens take more time to maintain, and complicated layouts can add more nuance to how a gardener navigates the job overall.
Ask yourself: How long does it take you to do the jobs you want to hire a gardener for? The answer should give you a ballpark time estimate for how many hours it will take a gardener to take care of your outdoor spaces.
Location
Gardening prices can also fluctuate depending on your location. Urban areas typically have higher rates due to increased demand and competition among gardeners. Conversely, rural areas with less competition may offer lower rates.
Also note that climates in different locations can impact cost. If you live in warmer regions where flowers and other plants grow year-round, you may need a gardener to visit more often. In wintery regions, gardening services will only be needed during certain seasons (though you may want to consider help with snow removal).
Gardening Service
The specific gardening services you require will also impact the overall cost. Basic tasks like lawn mowing, raking, and weeding are generally more affordable than hedge cutting, power washing, or landscaping. If you require garden design or tree and shrub transplanting, it may increase your gardener charges.
Planting
Planting new flowers, shrubs, or trees can add to your overall cost, depending on the number and type of plants you choose. Think ahead when planning what you want your yard to look like, and choose plants that fit your price range!
Garden Maintenance
While hiring a gardener for a one-off session is possible, the nature of yard maintenance during warm seasons will require work every week or two. Regular maintenance tasks like mowing, weeding, and fertilizing will contribute to the ongoing cost of gardening services, so plan your budget accordingly.
Weeding
Weeding can be time-consuming, especially in large gardens. The extent of your weeding needs will definitely influence gardener costs, so consider weeding yourself before hiring someone if you’re looking to save money.
Why Hire a Gardener?
Hiring help for gardening work offers numerous benefits, including:
- Professional expertise. Gardeners have knowledge about plants and other helpful skills to handle various gardening tasks. Not only can they give you maintenance tips you might not be aware of, but they can also help you care for your garden properly during colder seasons.
- Saved time. By delegating gardening tasks to someone who knows exactly what they’re doing, you gain more free time to focus on other priorities.
- Enhanced curb appeal. A well-maintained garden adds aesthetic value to your property.
- Increased property value. A professionally landscaped garden can potentially boost your overall home value, depending on what types of changes you make and how well you maintain the space.
- Environmentally friendly. Gardeners can help you adopt sustainable gardening practices that benefit the environment.
Questions to Ask a Gardener
Before you hire a gardener, there are a few questions you should always ask. Depending on where you live and what your needs are, they may include:
- How long have you been a professional gardener?
- Can you provide references from previous clients or photos of your recent work?
- What are your rates for regular or weekly garden maintenance, and how do you like to be paid?
- Do you know what plants will work best for this particular climate?
- What would your vision for my yard be?
Gardener Prices FAQs
Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions homeowners ask about gardener costs.
How much should I pay a gardener per hour?
As discussed earlier in this cost guide, a new self-employed gardener’s hourly rate will usually fall somewhere between $30-40 per hour. An arborist with a horticulture degree and years of experience can cost as much as $100-150 per hour. Generally, you should always budget for the national average cost of a gardener—typically somewhere between $50-75 per hour.
How often should a gardener come?
The frequency of visits from your gardener will always depend on your garden or yard’s size, the services you require, and your budget. Weekly or biweekly maintenance visits are common, but if you want to stretch out your budget, consider doing some of the easier tasks yourself!
What does a gardener do?
Gardeners generally work across your entire yard, not just your garden. Their tasks often include:
- Mowing
- Weeding
- Raking
- Lawn aeration
- Mulching
- Pruning
- Hedge trimming
- Planting
- Seeding
- Garden maintenance
- Cleaning gutters
They can also provide specialized services like landscape design or irrigation system installation, depending on their skill level. Always ask upfront what they can do!
Do gardeners use harmful pesticides?
While some gardeners may use pesticides to prevent weeds from growing in your yard or to prevent other problems, they can work with your preferences when it comes to using chemicals that might be harmful to the environment. Again, it always helps to ask ahead of time!
Hire a Gardener for a Day
Taskrabbit can connect you with a large network of skilled Taskers who specialize in gardening! They can cater to all your gardening needs at average hourly rates of $45-60 per hour, whether it’s for a one-time project or ongoing maintenance. Taskrabbit makes it easy either to hire a gardener for a day or to find one who can help you on an ongoing basis. Hire a Tasker now!
