Written by
Sarah Noel
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa
Average gardener cost
The average gardener costs $75 to $250 per service. Gardeners charge $35 to $65 per hour, $280 to $520 per full day, $70 to $130 per week, or $75 to $400 per month for ongoing work. The cost to hire a gardener depends on the amount of work and services needed.
| Charge type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $35 – $65 |
| Charge per visit / project | $75 – $250 |
| Full day cost | $280 – $520 |
| Weekly service cost (2 hours) | $70 – $130 |
| Monthly service cost | $75 – $400 |
*Most gardeners have a 2-hour minimum service fee of $70 to $130.
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Self-employed gardener hourly rates
Self-employed gardener hourly rates are $35 to $65 for a single person. Hiring a 2-person gardening service costs $60 to $100 per hour. Full-service commercial lawn and garden services charge $40 to $80 per hour.
| Crew type | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| Single self-employed gardener | $35 – $65 |
| 2-person gardening crew | $60 – $100 |
| Commercial lawn and garden service (per worker) | $40 – $80 |
Monthly gardening service costs
Gardeners charge $75 to $400 per month on average, depending on the yard size, service frequency, and services included. Monthly gardening service may include weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly visits.
| Plan type | Average monthly cost | Services |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $75 – $225 |
|
| Full-service | $125 – $275 |
|
| Premium | $200 – $400 |
|
Gardening services price list
The following table shows gardening service prices:
| Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Brush pile removal cost | $150 – $200 per load |
| Flower planting cost | $10 – $30 per pot installed |
| Hedge planting cost (50’ long) | $750 – $1,250 |
| Hedge trimming cost | $185 – $450 |
| Lawn aeration cost | $75 – $250 per visit |
| Lawn dethatching cost | $75 – $300 per visit |
| Lawn fertilizing cost | $65 – $100 per visit |
| Lawn mowing cost | $30 – $65 per visit |
| Leaf removal cost | $100 – $300 |
| Lawn overseeding cost | $300 – $1,350 |
| Shrub and bush planting cost | $25 – $85 per bush |
| Shrub and bush trimming cost | $5 – $20 per bush |
| Sod installation cost | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Sod replacement cost | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| Tree debris removal cost | $75 – $250 |
| Tree planting cost | $200 – $700 per tree |
| Tree trimming cost | $200 – $900 |
| Weed control cost | $50 – $125 |
| Yard cleanup cost | $125 – $400 |
Common gardening cost factors include:
Labor – Total labor costs depend on the location, garden size, crew size, and their experience level.
Complexity – Elaborate layouts, unmaintained gardens, and limited-access yards take more time to service.
Call-out fees – Most gardeners have a minimum service fee of $70 to $130 for the first 2 hours of work.
Season – Spring and fall are typically the busiest times for garden work.
Materials – Using high-quality materials raises the total cost.
Topsoil prices are $10 to $50 per cubic yard.
Landscaping rock prices are $50 to $160 per cubic yard.
Mulch costs $15 to $65 per cubic yard.
Compost costs $20 to $50 per cubic yard.
Packages – Monthly or annual service packages lower the overall prices.
Lawn and garden maintenance costs
Full-service lawn care costs $100 to $400 per month while landscaping maintenance costs $100 to $200 per month.
Related garden maintenance services include:
Lawn mowing costs $30 to $65 per visit.
Hedge trimming costs $25 to $60 per 10’ length of hedges.
The cost to fertilize a lawn is $65 to $100 per visit.
The cost to build a pond is $2,900 to $15,600 on average.
Sprinkler system installation costs $1,800 to $5,200 for most yards.
A drip irrigation system costs $300 to $1,200 per zone.
Tree debris removal costs $75 to $250 per trip.
Brush pile removal costs $150 to $200 per load.
Dirt removal costs $140 to $230 per cubic yard.
The cost to stain or paint a fence is $2 to $14 per linear foot.
Pressure washing costs $0.35 to $0.75 per square foot.
Gardener charges for planting shrubs, trees, and flowers
Gardeners charge various costs for plant installation of shrubs, trees, and flowers:
The cost to plant flowers is $10 to $30 per pot for the plant and labor.
The cost to plant a tree is $200 to $700 for plants up to 10’ tall, or $60 to $140 per sapling.
Hedge planting costs $10 to $45 per linear foot.
Charges to plant a shrub are $25 to $85 per plant.
The cost of seeding a lawn is $300 to $1,350 on average.
Sod installation costs $1 to $2 per square foot.
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Gardener FAQs
What do gardeners do?
A gardener’s job description includes:
Weeding
Mowing and edging with cleanup
Lawn and garden aeration
Fertilizing the grounds
Sprinkler testing and light maintenance
Shrub and hedge trimming
Tree pruning
Yard cleanup and debris removal
Spreading mulch
Installing new plants and lawn seeding
Treating plants for pests and diseases
Maintaining flower beds
Is a gardener the same as a landscaper?
A landscaper or garden designer and constructs the outdoor structures and landscaping. A gardener helps to plant and maintain the garden. A landscaper costs $50 to $100 per hour.
| Landscaper | Gardener |
|---|---|
|
|
How often should a gardener come?
A gardener should come every 1 to 2 weeks or monthly throughout the growing season. The frequency of their visits depends on the property size, gardening needs, and climate. Discounts apply for ongoing maintenance plans.
Should I tip a gardener?
Tipping a gardener is optional. Consider tipping $20 to $50 per personfor ongoing service at the end of a season or during the holidays. Most gardeners don’t expect tips.
When should I hire a gardener?
Hire a gardener when:
Doing a lot of planting before the growing season begins
Repairing the yard after a new landscaping installation
Moving into a new home on a large property
Preparing to sell a home with an unattractive exterior
Finding and hiring a gardening service
Before hiring a gardening service near you, be sure to:
Compare multiple estimates from companies with 5+ years of experience.
Verify that they have a business license, bonds, and liability insurance.
Check if your state requires a Landscaping Contractor license for gardeners.
Confirm they have a commercial applicator license to spray any fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides on the property.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Get copies of a written estimate with all costs and the contract.
Avoid the cheapest quotes that often result in low-quality work.
Never give a full payment upfront.
Questions to ask
Do you give free onsite estimates?
How long have you been gardening in this area?
Do you specialize in lawncare or gardening?
Have you studied horticulture or completed a local gardening program?
Can I see your reference list and photos of past jobs?
Which plants grow best in this climate with my soil type?
What are the biggest issues you see in my garden, and how will you treat them?
If I want to expand or rebuild my garden, how much more will it cost?
Can you show me which weeds you plan to remove before the work starts?
Will you prune any plants, and how far will you cut them back?
What types of tools do you use, and do you disinfect them?
Do you offer any plant warranties?
How long should this job take?
Which plants should I keep for pollinators?
How much is a grounds-maintenance plan? Does that include weekly service?
Do you use chemical-based or organic fertilizers?
Will cleanup and yard-waste disposal cost extra?
Does this bid include all materials, labor, and equipment fees?
What other lawncare or gardening-related services do you provide?
Are you familiar with my homeowner’s association landscaping rules?
