Landscaping: What to Look for in a Full-Service Gardener
In the last five years, Victoria Michaels has had 11 different gardeners work on her Anaheim yard.
“My neighbors laugh every time they see a new landscaping truck in front of my house. It’s almost embarrassing how many gardeners I’ve had, but I want the yard to look good,” said Michaels, who believes she has finally found a gardener who gives her garden the attention it requires.
Some aren’t as lucky. With the majority of services only mowing and edging lawns, there aren’t many full-service gardeners available, says landscape designer and certified arborist Julie Hunt of Julie Hunt Landscape Solutions in Dana Point.
She reluctantly started offering maintenance. Initially focused on installations, Hunt added maintenance after clients complained their gardens were declining post-installation.
“We finally gave in and now provide maintenance service, which has turned out to be very gratifying,” said Hunt, who says high-quality gardeners watch for potential problems and enjoy what they do.
“It’s fun to watch their garden grow and mature,” she said.
What Full-Service Gardeners Do
- Mulching
- Weeding
- Pruning, trimming, and dead-heading
- General cleanup and care
- Fertilizing and pest control
- Irrigation, drainage, and lighting maintenance
- Soil preparation and planting
“They provide that extra care that the homeowner would give the garden if he or she had the time,” said Steve Kawaratani of Landscapes by Laguna Nursery in Laguna Beach.
Why Finding a Good Gardener is Challenging
“If you find one who provides your plants with that extra TLC, such as washing leaves, dead-heading and checking for pests and disease, hold onto that person,” said Patti Ferner of Pacific Wind Landscape.
Homeowner Success Story
Homeowner Victoria Michaels found success with Nick Sutcliffe of English Gardens in Orange.
“I knew he was the gardener for me because he immediately went to my yucca and started pulling off dead leaves,” she said. “His employees get down on their knees and clean out my flower beds. That’s the kind of detailed work that makes my garden look really good.”
Cost of Full-Service Gardening
- Hourly rate: $35 to $55
- Monthly cost: $150 to $350 or more, depending on yard size and care level
Some customers pay for a consultation and do the work themselves or delegate it to their existing gardener.
Hunt provides detailed consultations and training for gardeners to properly maintain landscapes.
“Most gardeners want to do a good job. They’re just not equipped with the information to do it,” Hunt said. “If you can train the person you already have about the importance of things like mulch and proper watering, you’ll end up with a better landscape.”
Long-Term Gardening Partnerships
Helen Magruder of Corona del Mar has worked with her gardener for 15 years. Through trial and error, they developed a strong relationship built on mutual respect and trust.
“Angel [Gonzales] is dependable and loyal. He listens to suggestions and brings his own input,” she said. “He handles things like irrigation and drainage that I couldn’t manage on my own.”
Expert Tips for Finding and Working with Gardeners
- Be cautious: Don’t allow anyone to prune, plant, or apply pest control unless you’re confident they know what they’re doing.
- Be specific: When assigning new tasks, be clear about what you want. Visuals help.
- Expect limits: Some lawn-care providers focus solely on mowing and edging. Consider hiring a separate maintenance service for specialized care.
Recommended Garden Maintenance Services
- Jungle Julie Landscape Solutions – (949) 830-9555 – junglejulie.com
- English Gardens – (714) 870-0260
- Landscapes by Laguna Nursery – (949) 497-2438
- Pacific Wind Landscape – (949) 689-8355
