How much does a gardener cost?
Columbus, OH

How much does a gardener cost?

Columbus, OH

How much does a gardener cost?

$35 – $65average hourly rate
$75 – $250average cost per visit
$75 – $400average monthly cost (1 to 4 visits)

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$35 – $65 average hourly rate

$75 – $250 average cost per visit

$75 – $400 average monthly cost (1 to 4 visits)


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Sarah Noel
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.

Gardener cost
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.

Get free estimates from gardening services near you.

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.

Gardener hourly rates
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.

Gardeners charge per month
Plan type Average monthly cost Services
Basic $75 – $225
  • Mowing
  • Blower cleanup
  • Weed control
Full-service $125 – $275
  • All in basic plus:
  • Hedge trimming
  • Lawn & garden edging
Premium $200 – $400
  • All in basic & full-service plus:
  • Fertilization
  • Mulching
  • Overseeding lawn

Gardening services price list

The following table shows gardening service prices:

Gardening services price list
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

Gardener shaping shrub using hedge trimmer
Gardener shaping shrub using hedge trimmer

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:

Gardener charges for planting shrubs, trees, and flowers

Gardeners charge various costs for plant installation of shrubs, trees, and flowers:

Get free estimates from gardening services near you.
Gardener planting new vegetables
Gardener planting new vegetables

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.

Gardener vs. landscaper
Landscaper Gardener
  • Has construction & planting skills
  • Designs entire outdoor property layout
  • Often has a horticulture degree
  • Typically cost more than gardeners
  • Hires subcontractor gardeners to work for them
  • Offers landscaping, hardscaping installation, lawn care, and gardening services
  • Part of bigger company crew with more equipment
  • Has basic yard-maintenance skills
  • May not have design knowledge
  • No degree or education required in many states
  • Only certified “master gardeners” charge more
  • Can work with landscape designers or independently
  • Offers mostly gardening and plant care only
  • Typically work independently or on a small crew

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 person for 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?