Massachusetts Homeowners: How To Hire A Gardening Professional

For Massachusetts homeowners, your garden is more than just the outside of your home. It’s a place where you can retreat to enjoy the beauty of flowers and sit on your patio as you admire your perfectly groomed lawn.

But even if you love gardening, you may not always have the time to tackle those necessary tasks that keep your flowers blooming and your lawn looking lush and green.

If you find you’re falling behind and your yard is starting to look neglected, consider the services of a landscaping contractor. Hiring a professional gardener is the perfect solution when you’re out of time but still want a garden you can be proud of.

Here’s what you need to know when hiring a gardener:

1. Evaluate your gardening needs

Before hiring a professional gardener, take a moment to evaluate your garden and yard. Consider which types of jobs you need help with:

• Spring cleanup and planting.
• Basic lawn care, including mowing and fertilizing.
• Shrub and tree pruning.
• Planting and weeding of vegetable gardens.
• Horticultural expertise for the care and maintenance of floral gardens.
• Garden design and planning.

The cost of hiring a professional will depend on the scope of the job. You may be able to negotiate a weekly or monthly package if you require multiple basic gardening services; however, if you’re designing a unique garden style or garden terrace, you may require the expertise of a specialized professional.

For simple gardening jobs, you can expect to pay $30 per hour, while monthly yard maintenance will cost you between $130 and $400.

Looking for a gardener to spruce up your yard? Call a landscaping expert in Massachusetts.

2. Types of gardening services

Gardening professionals cover a wide area of expertise, all the way from basic garden maintenance to helping you design and plant flowers and vegetables. The type of gardener you hire will depend on those tasks you want completed:

Professional gardening companies

Large companies, such as Scott’s and TruGreen, employ more than one gardener to meet all their clients' needs. Insured and licensed, professional companies may give you peace of mind that you’re hiring a reliable contractor, but keep in mind that their rates are higher than self-employed gardeners.

Self-employed gardeners

Costing less than larger companies, self-employed gardeners often have the time to take more care with your yard. Look for reliable self-employed professionals using HomeAdvisor to make sure they have the credentials and references you can trust.

Master gardeners

You’ll want to hire a master gardener, who has a certificate from the American Horticultural Society, when you need specialized help to plan your garden. These professionals have extensive knowledge about plant characteristics and growing requirements, the best way to control pests and weeds, and how to design a garden that’s environmentally friendly.

Landscapers

For large-scale gardening and yard projects, hiring a landscaper is best. Landscapers have the experience required to install sprinkler systems, build stone terraces, and trim your hedges.

3. Hiring checklist

Before deciding to hire a gardener, keep these points in mind:

• Compare quotes from local gardeners.
• Find out if they have hourly, weekly, or monthly package rates.
• Are they insured and licensed?
• Can they provide references?

Hiring a professional gardener is a smart way to keep your yard looking great all year round. Call a HomeAdvisor contractor in Massachusetts for help with gardening and yard maintenance.

This Patch article is sponsored by HomeAdvisor.