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The average rating for Bark Gardeners is 4.72, based on 66,088 reviews
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Set your budget for 2025 with our comprehensive guide to gardening prices.
Last updated: 10 September 2025
Your garden is an extension of your home, and it can be a valuable one. A beautiful, well-maintained yard 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 children 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 US costs $35 to $60 per hour*.
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. According to the latest Bark data, the average monthly cost of a gardener is $100.
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.
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 or yard 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 area code is likely to play a significant role in pricing. Urban areas typically have higher costs due to a higher cost of living. For example, gardeners in New York or San Francisco often have higher rates than those in smaller towns in the Midwest.
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 dollars 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 fall and winter when demand is lower.
Each yard 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 fall.
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 | $55 |
| Lawn mowing/grass cutting | $50 |
| Hedge trimming | $65 |
| Pruning | $70 |
| Leaf clean-up | $60 |
| Planting/seeding | $75 |
| Tree trimming | $75-$150+ |
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?
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 yard 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.
It depends on your goals, as well as the size of your garden. On a large estate, 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 an open house. 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 are no formal national qualifications that a gardener must have to follow this profession, but certifications can often give you peace of mind. Examples include credentials from the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) or state-specific programs like the Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional (CNLP) designation. There are certain tasks where qualifications may be needed. Proper waste disposal is a common example. Using certain pesticides is another.
Ready to show your yard some love? Find a brilliant local gardener on Bark for free!
Average price per hour refers to the median price per hour to allow for outliers in data.
*This figure refers to three years' worth of data
The average rating for Bark Gardeners is 4.72, based on 66,088 reviews
5/5
based on 66,088 reviews
