Help in Gardening between individuals

Askaide allows you to find help offers from gardeners registered on its platform. It's up to you to choose the one that best suits your needs.

Some are more specialized in cleaning terraces, others in mowing the lawn or collecting leaves. It all depends on the equipment they have and their working habits.

The general designation of gardener can correspond to very specific skills. For example, to intervene at a height on a tree, it is better to call on a pruner. To redefine the general look of your garden, it will be more a landscaper than a simple gardener.

How do I ask a gardener for help?

Consult the gardening help offers free of charge from the search page, then directly contact the gardener whose profile corresponds to your needs.
Post an ad asking for gardening help. It's free and all you need to do is give a few useful details. Once your ad has been validated, you will receive offers of help directly to your mailbox.

Be specific in your request for help: indicate the size of your garden, the work to be done, the tools you have, your dates of availability... Anything that can inform your future home gardener.

Secondary residences are not occupied for part of the year and their owners are looking for people who can intervene during their absence. This can range from simple regular watering of the flowers in the garden to more important requests such as the maintenance of the swimming pool or the replacement of plants for example.
To stay in good condition and retain its aesthetics, any garden needs regular maintenance. The services requested are therefore most of the time recurring services requiring regular intervention in the property.
If you have recognized skills in gardening, for example to trim hedges, collect and burn foliage, in this case offer your services by creating your free account.
If your skills are more in technical interventions such as installing lighting in a property or repairing a wall, then offer your services in the DIY category instead.

Before inviting a gardener to work in your private space, it’s prudent to vet their safety protocols and insurance coverage thoroughly. Start by asking for proof of public liability insurance, sometimes called general liability, which protects you and the professional against accidental damage to property and third-party injury. A legitimate gardener should readily provide a certificate of insurance or direct you to their broker. Consider whether they carry employer’s liability or workers’ compensation if they operate as a business with employees; this coverage ensures that any injuries sustained by staff while on your property won’t become your financial responsibility.

Next, enquire about their training and adherence to safety standards. A conscientious gardener should be versed in the safe operation of power tools, ladders, and machinery, and should routinely maintain their equipment. Check whether they hold certifications in pesticide application, arboriculture, or first aid, and if they follow national guidelines for chemical handling and disposal. The way they store and transport fuels, fertilizers, and sharp instruments reflects their professionalism and respect for your home.

Observe the protective gear they use. Gloves, hearing protection, safety goggles, hard hats for tree work, sturdy footwear, and high-visibility clothing aren’t mere accessories; they minimise the risk of injury to both the worker and bystanders. Ask if they perform a site-specific risk assessment on arrival—pointing out hazards such as uneven terrain, exposed roots, underground utilities, fragile plants, or ponds—and whether they cordon off work areas to keep children and pets safe. Responsible practitioners will also discuss emergency procedures and carry a first aid kit.

Another aspect often overlooked is vehicle and equipment insurance. If the gardener brings a ride-on mower, chipper, or vehicle onto your drive, ensure that these are insured for use on private property. While rare, accidents involving machinery can cause significant damage; proper coverage provides peace of mind.

Environmental and health considerations also form part of safety. Gardeners who use organic methods or integrated pest management are reducing chemical risks to you, your garden, and local wildlife. Inquire about their policy on waste removal: do they compost clippings responsibly or haul away debris according to local regulations?

Finally, review the contract or written estimate carefully. It should outline the scope of work, the parties’ responsibilities, and the insurance coverage. Understand any exclusions and confirm if accidental damage to underground pipes or cables is covered. Request references or check online reviews to ensure that the gardener has a track record of safe and respectful work. A professional who invests in insurance, training, and proper equipment demonstrates a commitment not only to their own wellbeing but also to the protection of your property. By taking the time to ask these questions upfront, you foster a transparent working relationship and significantly reduce the likelihood of unwanted surprises.

Preparing your garden before a professional gardener arrives is a thoughtful way to maximize the value of their time and ensure that the results align with your vision. Start by clearing access routes so that the gardener can move freely: pick up toys or hoses, trim back overgrown shrubs that may block gates, and remove any obstacles from pathways. If you have pets, make arrangements to keep them indoors or in a secure area so they won’t be underfoot or escape through open gates. Consider mowing the lawn or giving the grass a quick tidy-up if it’s excessively long; this allows the gardener to focus on specialized tasks rather than general cleanup. It can also be helpful to identify and flag any utility lines, irrigation systems, or delicate plants that the gardener should avoid while working.

Next, take some time to define your priorities and communicate them clearly. Walk through the garden and make a list of the areas that require attention, whether it’s pruning a specific hedge, planting seasonal flowers, or addressing a pest problem. Gather any notes, pictures, or inspiration that you’d like to share so the gardener understands your aesthetic preferences. If there are plants or features that you particularly cherish and do not want disturbed, mark them with ribbons or stakes and mention them during your initial conversation. Preparing a sketch of your garden layout with annotations can save time and minimize misunderstandings. Additionally, think about the future: if you’re planning a more extensive redesign or adding new features, let the gardener know so they can advise on preparations or staging.

Ensuring that basic amenities are readily available is another considerate step. Check that outdoor water sources are functioning, hoses are untangled, and watering attachments are in good condition; this will facilitate tasks like watering, mixing fertilizers, or cleaning tools. Provide access to electrical outlets if you expect the gardener to use power tools, and ensure that extension cords are safe and within reach. Having a designated area for compost, green waste, or collected debris helps the gardener dispose of cuttings and clippings neatly. If you use specific organic or chemical treatments, have them on hand and labelled with instructions so the gardener knows your preferred products. It’s also courteous to inform neighbors if the work will be noisy or require access near shared boundaries, which reduces surprises and fosters goodwill.

Finally, create an environment that supports collaboration. Set aside time at the beginning of the appointment to greet the gardener, review the day’s objectives, and discuss any questions. Leave a written checklist if you can’t be present, along with your contact information in case decisions need to be made. Provide shaded space or water for breaks if the weather is hot; small gestures of hospitality contribute to a positive working relationship. After the work is completed, inspect the results together or request photos if you’re not at home, and provide feedback so that future visits can be even more tailored to your needs. By investing a little effort into preparation, you help your gardener operate efficiently and effectively, making it more likely that your outdoor space will thrive and reflect your personal style.

An experienced home gardener arrives with more than just enthusiasm; they bring an arsenal of tools that enable them to transform your outdoor space efficiently and safely. At the most basic level, the kit should include manual implements such as a spade or shovel for turning soil and digging planting holes, a sturdy garden fork for breaking up compacted earth, and a hand trowel for transplanting seedlings and working in tight spaces. A hoe and a cultivator help keep weeds under control and aerate the soil, while a bow rake and leaf rake are essential for leveling beds and collecting debris. These hand tools might seem simple, but quality and ergonomics matter: a well-balanced handle, sharp edges, and durable materials make the work faster and protect the gardener’s joints from strain.

Cutting and pruning tools are equally important because proper plant maintenance depends on precise cuts. Every gardener should carry a pair of bypass secateurs for pruning shrubs and small branches, along with a set of loppers for thicker stems that require more leverage. A pruning saw or folding saw is handy for larger limbs that are too big for loppers but don’t warrant a chainsaw. For hedges and topiary, long-bladed hedge shears or powered hedge trimmers allow for uniform shaping. Keeping blades clean and sharp is crucial to prevent disease transmission between plants and to ensure cuts heal quickly, so a conscientious gardener will also bring along sharpening tools and disinfectant wipes to care for their equipment as they work.

When lawns and larger areas are involved, power equipment becomes indispensable. A lawn mower, appropriately sized for your yard, keeps grass at an optimal height and encourages healthy growth. For edges and tight corners that a mower can’t reach, a string trimmer or brush cutter makes quick work of overgrowth. A leaf blower or vacuum can save hours during autumn cleanup, and for properties with extensive hedges, a battery- or petrol-powered hedge trimmer dramatically reduces the time required to achieve a neat finish. If your garden has irrigation or lighting systems that need maintenance, a gardener might also carry basic electrical tools, a multimeter, or spare fittings to diagnose and repair minor issues. All power tools should be well-maintained, with charged batteries or fuel and properly functioning safety guards.

Beyond the obvious implements, a professional gardener brings a range of ancillary items that reflect their attention to detail. Personal protective equipment, gloves, steel-toe boots, protective eyewear, ear defenders, and sometimes a hard hat, is a sign that they take safety seriously, both for themselves and for your property. A measuring tape, twine, stakes, and a level help with layout and planting alignment, while a wheelbarrow or garden cart assists in moving soil, mulch, and debris. Depending on the job, they may also bring soil amendments, fertilizers, mulch, compost, or specialized tools such as bulb planters, aerators, and drip irrigation supplies. A gardener committed to sustainable practices may even carry compostable waste bags to separate green waste from landfill-bound trash. Taken together, these tools allow the gardener to tackle a wide variety of tasks with professionalism and adaptability, ensuring that your garden receives the care it deserves.

Determining how often you should schedule garden maintenance at home requires an understanding of how your garden functions as a living system, which changes with the seasons and the particularities of your environment. For most temperate regions, garden care in the spring is quite intensive: after the dormancy of winter, perennials need to be pruned, shrubs need shaping, soil needs to be amended with compost, and seeds or young plants are ready to be planted. This phase benefits from weekly or bi-weekly attention to ensure seedlings establish well, weeds are kept in check as they germinate, and early pests are caught before they become problems. As temperatures rise through early summer, lawn mowing becomes a staple chore and may be necessary every one to two weeks, depending on growth rate. Flowering plants require deadheading to encourage continued blooms, and edging, mulching, and watering routines must adapt to rainfall and heat. By mid-summer, growth slows slightly, but tasks such as staking tall plants, harvesting fruits and vegetables at peak ripeness, and vigilant weed control remain critical. A gardener can come every two weeks for mowing, trimming, and a general tidy-up, while major interventions like hedge cutting may be scheduled monthly or according to species’ growth habits.

Come autumn, the garden shifts focus from vibrant growth to preparation for the cold months ahead. Maintenance visits at this time often involve clearing fallen leaves, cutting back perennials, lifting tender bulbs, and applying a final layer of mulch to protect roots from frost. An end-of-season pruning session for deciduous shrubs and a thorough cleanup can be arranged, followed by monthly inspections for diseases or damage. Winter demands less routine care, but periodic visits to check for storm damage, ensure structures and supports remain secure, and remove any lingering debris will set the stage for a successful spring. For evergreen hedges and shrubs, winter is also an ideal time to shape them, as they are dormant and less prone to stress.

Additionally, the size and complexity of your garden, the types of plants you grow, and your personal aesthetic standards all influence how often you want professional help. Larger spaces with diverse beds, topiary or espaliered fruit trees may require weekly maintenance, whereas a small courtyard with mostly potted plants may only need monthly check-ins. Beyond the seasonal rhythm, factors such as climate, soil type, plant selection and your own preferences for appearance will refine this schedule. In humid climates, fungi and mildew can spread quickly, and a gardener may need to monitor weekly for signs of disease, removing infected leaves and adjusting watering. Conversely, in arid regions, mulching and drip irrigation become critical, and adjusting watering frequency based on weather forecasts is part of regular care. Engaging a gardener also provides an opportunity to learn sustainable practices: using organic fertilizers, conserving water, and encouraging beneficial insects reduces the need for chemical interventions. Regular maintenance is not merely aesthetic; it supports plant health, prevents the spread of invasive species, and contributes to biodiversity in your local ecosystem. By scheduling visits consistently—more often during periods of rapid growth and less frequently during dormancy—you establish a rhythm that respects both the natural cycles of your garden and your lifestyle.

Effective communication is the foundation of a successful relationship with your home gardener. Start by having an initial conversation in which you clearly explain your vision for the garden, your priorities, and any constraints such as budget or time frames. Use visual aids like photos or sketches to illustrate what you mean if words alone might lead to misunderstandings. Confirm that the gardener understands your expectations, and invite them to share their professional opinions or propose alternatives based on their expertise. This dialogue should be honest and respectful; a gardener who feels listened to is more likely to invest creative energy into your project.

Regular follow-up sessions keep the collaboration on track. Establish a preferred method of communication, whether it’s phone calls, messaging apps, or email, and agree on how often you’ll check in. During these updates, ask about progress, any emerging challenges, and upcoming tasks. Provide feedback on completed work and be specific about what you liked or would prefer to see done differently. If you have additional requests or need to change priorities, communicate these as soon as possible so they can be incorporated into the work plan. Being proactive avoids last-minute surprises and reduces stress for both parties.

Clarity about logistical details also improves outcomes. Discuss practical matters such as access to the garden, storage of tools, watering schedules, and safety considerations (e.g., keeping gates closed if you have pets or children). Agree on payment terms, invoicing practices, and any materials that need to be purchased in advance. When you anticipate being away, inform your gardener of your absence and provide instructions if someone else will be at home. Transparency about these logistical aspects helps prevent misunderstandings and builds trust.

Beyond the practicalities, cultivate a relationship built on mutual respect and appreciation. Remember that gardening is both an art and a science: your gardener brings technical knowledge, local climate awareness, and creative flair to each decision. Recognize their expertise and ask questions that show genuine interest in their recommendations. In turn, make your preferences known in a way that encourages collaboration rather than dictation. Over time, this partnership can evolve into a shared stewardship of your outdoor space, where communication becomes less about instructions and more about jointly celebrating the garden’s progress and planning its future seasons. A communicator who is attentive, responsive, and open to dialogue helps create a flourishing garden and a rewarding relationship with the professional who tends it.