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The average rating for Bark Gardeners is 4.77, based on 1,240,678 reviews
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Our gardening price guide will help you set your budget for 2025.
Last updated: 15th August 2025
Your garden is an extension of your home, and it can be a valuable one. A beautiful, well-maintained garden is not just a peaceful escape; it can also significantly increase your property's value and appeal to potential buyers. It's a space for summer gatherings, a playground for kids and pets, and a place to relax and unwind.
However, keeping a garden looking its best takes time, effort, and expertise that many of us simply don't have. Whether you're considering a complete garden overhaul or just need a hand with routine upkeep, hiring a professional gardener can make all the difference.
When hiring gardening professionals, it's important to understand that service costs vary significantly depending on the complexity and expertise required for each task.
Our data shows that, on average, a gardener in the UK costs £20 per hour.*
One factor impacting the cost of a gardener can be your location. We’ve analysed 3 years’ worth of data to provide a breakdown of the cost of gardeners in the UK’s different regions**:
| Location | Price ranges per hour | Average price per hour |
| London | £30-£35 | £30.00 |
| North East | £25-£30 | £30.00 |
| Wales | £18.75-£32.50 | £29.00 |
| East Midlands | £20-£30 | £25.00 |
| West Midlands | £20-£50 | £25.00 |
| East of England | £16-£25 | £22.50 |
| Scotland | £20-£25 | £22.50 |
| South East | £15-£22 | £20.00 |
| South West | £15-£25 | £20.00 |
| North West | £15-£25 | £20.00 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £16-£20 | £17.00 |
Every professional gardener charges in a different way. You’ll find some experts that have an hourly rate, while others quote on a project basis.
It’s not uncommon for gardeners to be hired on a rolling monthly agreement. This is often known as a ‘retainer’ and might be suitable if you’re looking for professional garden maintenance. And when you work with a gardener for a long-time, it often allows you to negotiate a discount.
You should speak to several gardeners to get a sense of their prices. Ask about their openness to discounts, and what’s included for the price. Get a clear answer to this last question, along with evidence of past work to support it.
Our data shows that, on average, in 2024 a gardener in the UK cost £25 per hour - £5 more than the current average for 2025***.
While not definitive, there may be several reasons why gardener prices have declined year-on-year. For example, a downturn in the economy can lead to reduced consumer spending on non-essential services like gardening. However, it also likely that the professional gardening industry is becoming increasingly competitive, with many independent gardeners and larger companies competing for business. This competition can drive down prices, especially for basic maintenance tasks.
When estimating the cost of a gardening job, several key factors influence the final price. While any element that increases the time required will generally drive up the cost, here's a breakdown of the most common considerations:
The size of your garden is a major factor. Larger gardens require more time and effort, and often lead to a greater number of issues that need attention. More space can also mean more equipment is needed to get the job done efficiently.
The specific services you need will significantly affect the price. Simple tasks like a lawn cut will cost less than specialized work such as planting, pruning, or bespoke landscaping. The complexity of the work, and the time it takes, will impact the hourly rate, especially for intricate projects.
If parts of your garden are difficult to access, it may take longer to complete the work or require specialized equipment, both of which will increase the final price.
As with many services, quality comes at a price. Experienced and highly-reputable gardeners often charge more, but their expertise can lead to a better result and prevent costly mistakes. However, a more affordable gardener isn't necessarily a bad one. It's always a good idea to check reviews and ask for recommendations from friends and family to gauge their past customer satisfaction.
Be specific about the finished look you want. For example, a basic hedge trim will cost less than having the hedge sculpted into an intricate shape. The level of detail you require will directly impact the time and skill needed, and therefore the cost.
Your geographic location plays a significant role in pricing. Urban areas typically have higher costs due to a higher cost of living. For example, gardeners in London or Brighton often have higher rates than those in places like Dundee or Wrexham.
Factor in the cost of any additional equipment and labor. For large projects, your gardener may need to bring in extra colleagues, which will increase the price considerably. Specialist equipment that needs to be rented can also add hundreds of pounds to the total cost.
Gardening costs can fluctuate with the seasons. Spring is typically the busiest time for gardeners, as homeowners prepare for the summer months. During this peak season, you may see prices increase. In contrast, rates often drop during the autumn and winter when demand is lower.
Each garden is different and what you need your gardener to do will also be dependent on your space. Here are some common services offered by gardeners and the average cost per hour. As mentioned earlier in this article, prices are subject to various factors so use these numbers as a guide.
Lawn mowing/grass cutting: regular lawn maintenance to keep your grass healthy and neat.
Hedge trimming: shaping and maintaining hedges for a clean, uniform look.
Pruning: selectively removing branches to improve the health and shape of trees and shrubs.
Leaf clean-up: clearing and disposing of fallen leaves, typically in the autumn.
Planting/seeding: installing new plants, flowers, or seeds to create or refresh garden beds.
Tree trimming: expert care for trees, including the removal of dead or overgrown branches to ensure safety and promote growth.
| Service | Average hourly cost |
| Weeding & weed prevention | £30 |
| Lawn mowing/grass cutting | £20 |
| Hedge trimming | £25 |
| Pruning | £28 |
| Leaf clean-up | £25 |
| Planting/seeding | £35 |
| Tree trimming | £60 |
Although some tasks may overlap, gardeners and landscapers are two distinct professions. A gardener focuses on the health and maintenance of plants, while a landscaper is concerned with the broader layout of an outdoor space, which can include designing and building features like patios, walls, and pathways.
Neither profession is more important than the other as every aspect of gardening has a huge overall effect on the final appearance.
You can read more about the differences and when you might use each type of service in our guide: What's the difference between a Gardener and a Landscaper?
Whether you need a gardener for long-term care or help with a new garden plan, just tell us what you need. We'll provide you with quotes from qualified gardening professionals, and you can review their profiles and customer feedback to choose the best one for you.
Hiring a professional gardener offers numerous benefits that extend beyond simply maintaining a tidy lawn. A skilled gardener possesses the expertise to understand the specific needs of different plants, from soil composition and watering requirements to pest control and seasonal pruning. This knowledge ensures your garden thrives, with healthy, vibrant flora that enhances the beauty and value of your property.
Furthermore, a gardener saves you valuable time and physical effort, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space without the backbreaking work. They can also provide creative design ideas and long-term care plans, transforming your garden into a personalized oasis that reflects your taste and lifestyle. Ultimately, investing in a gardener is an investment in the health and aesthetic of your home, ensuring your green space remains a source of pride and relaxation for years to come.
You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg when you bring in a professional gardener. It’s possible to do this on a tighter budget. You can see a few top tips below.
Embrace DIY where feasible: While some tasks require expert hands, others can be proficiently handled by the homeowner, like basic weeding or pruning.
Strategic scheduling: Timing services during off-peak seasons often yields reduced rates, with gardeners often eager to fill their schedules in quieter times.
Bulk bookings: If several services are required, bundling them into a package deal can elicit a friendlier price tag from your gardener.
Negotiation and multiple quotes: Don't shy away from haggling or canvassing multiple gardeners for the same service to snag a competitive offer.
You shouldn’t compromise the appearance or health of your garden to cut corners. It’s thus important to get a careful balance between the two.
It depends on your goals, as well as the size of your garden. In a huge manor, gardening can be a full-time job in the most extreme cases. But other times, a weekly visit could be sufficient. It depends on how quickly you’re expecting results, and how crucial aesthetic fixes are over the short term. You may want to bring a gardener in daily if you’re about to host viewings. But if not, weekly is often enough.
When hiring a professional, look for a mix of practical skills and creative vision. An experienced gardener should have in-depth knowledge of various plants, soil types, and climate conditions, and be able to execute projects effectively. They should also be curious, always learning about new techniques and trends to find innovative solutions for your unique space. Beyond this, a great professional will have the creativity to design a unique landscape that reflects your style and the patience to nurture your garden over time. Finally, they should be practical, working within your budget and considering environmental factors to create a sustainable and functional outdoor space.
Not necessarily. There’re no formal qualifications that a gardener must have to follow this profession. But it can often make you feel better. Examples include The Horticultural Trades Association and the Association of Professional Landscapers. There are certain tasks where qualifications may be needed. Disposing of waste is a common example. Using pesticides is another.
Average price per hour refers to the median price per hour to allow for outliers in data.
*Average price in the UK relates to data collected from 01/01/25 - 15/08/2025
**Average price data by regions related to data collected from 01/01/23 - 15/08/2025
*** Year-on-year average price comparison refers to data collected from 01/01/24 - 31/12/2024 vs 01/01/25 - 15/08/2025.
The average rating for Bark Gardeners is 4.77, based on 1,240,678 reviews
5/5
based on 1,240,678 reviews
