Most gardeners for hire charge on an hourly basis. Prices tend to range from $30 – $50 per hour. For gardeners who charge toward the higher side, you should make sure they can identify your garden plants and the various types of weeds. Gardening services include planting bulbs, pulling weeds and watering the garden. Click here to learn more about prices.

If you want to start seeds indoors, then most annuals and vegetables can be planted in early March. Annuals such as begonias and impatiens shouldn’t be planted outdoors until May to avoid colder temperatures. Click here to learn about four steps for preparing your garden for spring.

Soil that is rich with nutrients is key for having a flourishing garden, so it’s worth investing in premium grade soil. Peat moss enhances the ability of soil to retain nutrients and moisture. Compost like manure will boost fertility and enrich soil. Potting moss contains nutrients that help plants grow in containers.

It’s important to put your garden in a place you can see from multiple angles. This location should have plenty of sunlight if you are planting edible things like fruits and vegetables. Since gardeners will need to regularly water their garden bed, don’t forget to put your garden close to a water source such as a hose.

In terms of placement, grouping plants together in odd numbers is the most visually pleasing. If you are planting flowers, aim for a blend of annuals and perennials. Try to blend colors that look good together by staggering them every other. In order to provide good visibility, shorter flowers should go in the front and taller plants toward the back.

Spring is the best time to plant tender bulbs like dahlias and caladium. Fall is the best time to plant hardy bulbs like irises and tulips. Plant tender bulbs 6-12 inches apart and hardy bulbs 3-6 inches apart. You should dig the hole 2-3 times the depth of the bulb height. If you bury bulbs any deeper, then it will either bloom late or won’t bloom at all. Put the bulb in the hole you’ve dug nose up and root down.

Arborvitae need full sun or partial shade for optimal growth. Arborvitae are fairly versatile but can suffer in extremely dry conditions. Arborvitae should be planted 10 feet apart. This will leave space for them to fully mature to their normal size. Arborvitae can grow 40 – 60 feet tall so avoid planting them under power lines or other structures. Plant your arborvitae in a straight line to form a hedge if you’d like them to function like a privacy fence.

You should ask for a ballpark estimate on the total cost for your planting and gardening project. Be prepared to tell the gardener for hire what type of plants you need installed, where you want them, and how many you want. Ask the planting service how long they’ve been in business. Google their company name and read a few reviews. Click here to get a free estimate on plant installation from His Workmanship.