Unsecure chicken perches

[Gertie]

Hi everyone

 

Just wondered does anyone have a gardener/garden help? I've discovered that trying to manage 2.5 acres is quite a challenge when working full time!!! We live in a tiny cottage but it's got a huuugge garden!

 

So, although for us it is really extravagant, I think we need help!

 

Does anyone have a gardener, how long for and how much does it cost?

 

Many thanks!

[Egluntyne]

I pay £64 for 8 hours once every 4 weeks. My garden is 1/3 acre, and if I'm honest, the 8 hours isn't enough.

[Olly]

I would have thought 2.5 acres is a full-time job!

 

I struggle with my (100 ft long) garden on my own, but I do really enjoy gardening and have been reluctant to pay someone else to do it. Last year however I used someone just for a day, when I was too busy and getting fed up with it all looking so untidy, and she made a huge difference. I think I paid her about £12/hour but I can't quite remember - money well spent, and I keep meaning to contact her again. It changed my whole feeling about 'it's MY garden, I don't want any help' because she did such a great job.

 

I think you probably need to consider whether you want regular help, or just ad hoc at certain times of year. Do you want them to have regular contact with the garden and make decisions about it, or do you want them to do the grass-cutting, hedge-trimming and boring (and laborious) work under your direction? Do you want a gardener, or a labourer? How many hours do you spend on these jobs, that will give you some indication of how long for. Would they use your tools, or bring their own mower, strimmer etc because that will probably make a difference to price.

[Gertie]

Thanks for the super quick replies!

 

I agree it could be a full time job! Luckily less than a quarter of it is formal garden so to speak, the rest is field & wood. I'll post some pics later. I think that's a good idea, thinking about how long I spend (the simple ideas are always the best!!) it's going to come down to cost really! £64 sounds like a good price for 8 hours Egluntyne. If I could find someone for that price I think we could manage that sort of cost.

[patsylabrador]

It's quite difficult for young people fresh out of horticulture college to get started with their own business because some can't afford advertising and equipment etc. I was wondering if it's possible to find them through the local horti college. Yours sounds like good work to cut their teeth on.

[Gertie]

There's something of everything to have a go at and everything needs doing!!!

 

I think I may have found a semi retired gardener to do a few hours a week for £10 per hour. He has his own tools and came over to have a look at the place. He thinks weed killer will be necessary to get on top of thing! I hate the idea of chemicals but I think he is probably right. I'm thinking of just saying to use it on the paths and drives. I don't want it to go near the flowers incase anything is feeding. Not sure what to do for the best on that one.

 

Anyhow, I do hope it will work out and help me get on top of things!

[Olly]

Sounds great. Stick out for what you want, if you want it done chemical-free then say so, after all it's your garden and you're paying him! I wouldn't feel too guilty about using glyphosate (Roundup) on paths - it is biodegradable, and I use it for stubborn weeds and areas that I just can't do by hand.

[merlina]

There are organic ways of getting rid of even stubborn weeds

(for paths etc those flame torches are quite fun)

Personally, I'd want a gardener who was 'in tune' with what I wanted - my mother once hired someone who she found to be using chemicals on the sly - as the garden had been organic for 50+ years she was very unhappy!