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Gardens - What tasks must be completed?

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james


Gardeners and the services they provide are numerous and varied, so if you're considering hiring one, the first step should be to determine what type of labour you require. A hardworking and dependable gardener can take care of the duties you can't, don't want to, or don't have time to do, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your gardens maple ridge. Under your supervision, an untrained or beginner gardener, who will be the cheapest to hire, should be able to undertake duties like mowing the grass, raking leaves, or digging over beds. Gardeners with expertise should be able to handle all of the activities required to maintain a garden, including weeding, grass cutting, strimming, pruning, planting, mulching, feeding, spraying, and lawn maintenance, as well as knowing when to do them. A professional gardener may assist you in planning your garden, suggesting and sourcing plants, and even mentoring you if you want to learn more. A gardener should not be expected to perform tasks that a landscaper would perform, such as laying a patio, constructing a wall, or erecting a garden structure.

Where can I locate a local gardener?

One of the best ways to discover an excellent gardener appears to be through personal referral. If you don't know someone who employs one, look for advertising on notice boards in local shops, garden centres, or free sheets. By posting your needs on a website, you can get up to three bids from local gardeners.

Is it better to be an individual or a business?

Using a well-known company should provide you peace of mind because they have a track record that you can verify online. On the negative, they may charge a higher hourly rate. The most important thing to look for in a self-employed gardener is to trust someone to do a good job. Various websites emphasise the importance of certificates, such as the RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture, however possessing a qualification does not make you a competent gardener, as one gardener pointed out to me. Other attributes to look for include fitness, tool care, and dependability.

Keep in mind the legal requirements.

Inquire about references, regardless of which path you take. Even the most inexperienced gardener should be able to provide you with the phone number of someone for whom they have worked. If you decide to hire someone who hasn't been in business for a long time, try them out on a small job first to see how they work. Expect the gardener to bring their tools; if they use yours and work for you regularly at a pre-determined time and day, it may become an employer/employee relationship. You may be required to take on the responsibilities of an employer. You may also be held liable for any harm they sustain while using your equipment. It's a good idea to ask if they have Public Liability Insurance, which protects you and your property from damage caused by them. Also, if you want them to use a chainsaw or insecticides, or if you want them to carry away your green trash (which many gardeners prefer not to), make sure they have the necessary certificates and licenses.

Do you hire gardeners regularly, and when do you pay them?

Many garden owners have unstructured relationships with their gardeners and are flexible when they visit, especially in severe weather. However, before hiring a new gardener regularly or for a one-time task, it's a good idea to figure out precisely what you want them to perform. If you require their services regularly, establish a schedule with them. During the growth season, you may require them once a week, fortnightly, or even once a month, depending on the size of your garden. It's also crucial to agree on how and when they'll be paid. You must also agree on payments for any items they may purchase for the garden, such as plants, seeds, and feeds. Some gardeners prefer to be paid in cash, while others take checks or electronic payments, which are usually made at the end of the week or monthly. Although most gardeners prefer to work alone, it might be beneficial for both the owner and the gardener if they meet at least once a day – usually over a cup of coffee – to go over the tasks at hand and what has to be done. An owner can learn a lot from working alongside an expert gardener.

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