Well-kept gardens are beautiful to look at, providing great spaces for entertaining, relaxation, play, hobbying and exercise. Left untended, however, gardens can quickly become overgrown and an eyesore.
Taking care of a garden takes time and effort, no matter its size or style. There’s lots to learn in order to keep your plants healthy and looking their best, and even some risks associated with leaving a garden unkempt, like weeds spreading into public spaces.
It can be challenging, so for the average homeowner, it’s best to leave the landscaping, weeding, mulching and mowing to a professional gardener. The best gardeners take the stress out of owning a beautiful garden, leaving you to enjoy your outdoor spaces all year round.
In this article, we’ll outline the qualities to consider when choosing a gardener, and share where to find the best in Wollongong.
What makes a great gardener?
Choosing the right gardening service gives you the confidence your home will look it’s best all the time.
It can be helpful to keep the following in mind when choosing a gardening service.
- Reliability and professionalism. As with any service, you’ll want a reliable company that shows up on time and avoids last-minute cancellations that interfere with your schedule. You’ll also want a gardener who treats you and your home with respect, sticks to pre-arranged design plans, and contacts you before doing any work that will add to their bill.
- Experience. The more experience a gardener has, the better their services will be. The best gardeners have the equipment to overcome any challenge and the skill to complete their work efficiently.
- Knowledge. If you need a gardener to resurrect your outdoor space with new plants and landscaping services, always opt for someone with extensive knowledge. They’ll source the right plants for the local climate and be sure to care for the investment properly.
- Price and insurance. Gardening and other outdoor services are hard work and take time, but that doesn’t mean you should have to spend a fortune on your gardener. The best charge a fair price for services and are fully insured in case anything happens while they’re on site.
- Service range. You might want a gardener who provides more than one service. If this is the case, check online to see if they offers comprehensive services, not just mowing, weeding and watering.
The best gardeners in Wollongong
Region Illawarra’s editorial team has compiled a comprehensive list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best in Wollongong series, each business needs to have maintained a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google and Facebook, and have plenty of positive reviews.
Illawarra Yard Maintenance
Illawarra Yard Maintenance come to clients' homes, introduce themselves and provide a quote on the spot.
It's one of the things that has earned this lawn and gardening company great reviews across the Illawarra, like this testimonial from client Susie Bright:
"It's always a pleasure having Max not only maintain the garden but also making it look more beautiful. It gives me great joy to know my lovely garden is in safe hands."
Advanced Mowing & Maintenance
Formed in 2007, the team at Advanced Mowing & Maintenance has spent the last 16 years providing all manner of home improvements across the Illawarra.
From general mowing and garden maintenance to pest and weed control, pressure washing, waste removal and even carpet cleaning, they are ready to pick up clients' odd jobs for a fair price.
"Very hard workers that go above and beyond to make sure the job is of the highest standard," Bobby said on Facebook.
Cameron's Gardening
Cameron's Gardening provides quality landscaping, garden maintenance and softscaping to Sutherland Shire and surrounding South Coast areas.
Cameron takes great pride in his work, having earned a great reputation for his team's friendly disposition, reliable service and creative vision. They regularly transform underutilised spaces to kick start clients' outdoor living.
"Couldn’t praise Cameron and his team enough. A total revamp of the back yard which we never used until now," Grant reviewed online.
Fresh Garden Services
Locally owned and operated Fresh Garden Services offers professional, flexible and creative garden maintenance, design, makeovers, landscaping and more to clients throughout the Illawarra region.
Taking an educational approach, Fresh Garden Services also provides horticultural consultations and regularly share tips, tricks and industry stories via social media.
Passion for their work isn't lacking in this team, who state "we love living in Wollongong, and working on all the beautiful homes and properties our amazing Illawarra landscape has to offer".
If you’re looking for more information on gardeners in Wollongong, you might also like our articles on the best property managers, best landscapers and best cleaners Wollongong has to offer.
Your experience with gardeners in Wollongong
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Do you have experience with any of the Wollongong gardeners listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a professional gardener do?
A professional gardener maintains the healthy and beauty of outdoor gardens and grounds. They perform a range of general maintenance and care tasks, including mowing and trimming, watering, weeding, fertilising, planting and sometimes harvesting or designing new spaces. Gardeners can work on private properties, local parks, hotels, farms and nurseries.
How much does it cost to have a gardener?
The cost of hiring a gardener depends on their experience and the services they have on offer. A new gardener adding clients to their portfolio typically charges $20 to $30 per hour, whereas a gardener with years of experience who specializes in planning or design may charge as much as $60 to $88 per hour.
How often do I need a gardener?
Frequency depends on many factors. This includes the size of your garden. It also includes the type of garden you have and the services you want. It’s a great idea to chat to your gardener about how often they’re needed to keep your garden in tip-top shape, then work their advice into your budget.
What questions should I ask a gardener?
What are your qualifications and are you insured? Do you have references from past and current clients? Do you use environmentally friendly products? How much do you charge per hour and can you provide an itemised receipt? What is your service scope?
Will my gardener have their own tools?
Yes, your gardener should have their own tools, though they might ask to use your electricity. If you ask them to use your equipment, they might not be responsible for any resulting damage.