I started gardening for other people in 2021, I soon learnt that I enjoy working with garden owner’s to help achieve tasks that they cannot undertake themselves. It is a privilege to be asked and trusted with someone else’s garden and not something I take lightly. It is important to me to ensure we are a good match and this is why I have put this information together to help explain myself in a little more detail.
I am not a gardener who turns up, strims everything, chops everything back with a petrol cutter, sprays chemicals around (as a side note I can not actually use weed killers for you as to do this commercially requires specific training). I treat your garden with respect and want to interact with you to understand your likes / dislikes. I welcome comments about how you would like things done as it is important to me that your garden is maintained the way you want it looking after.
I know what a personal thing a garden is. A “weed” to one person, is a lovely flower to the next, as an example, forget-me-nots are lovely dainty blue flowers but do self-seed profusely, some people love this, some people hate this, it is my job to understand what you like and work in accordance with this.
Whilst I do have powered machinery, my aim is to be sympathetic to your garden / plants and to the environment. Cutting a shrub with a petrol hedge cutter will get the job done and get it done quickly, however doing it with hand tools will leave a nice sharp cut and avoid leaving the edges of leaves to be tatty and die off. Shrubs have a natural form / shape and to work against this may defeat the purpose of having this shrub in your garden, if possible, let it do its thing and concentrate on maintaining its health (and size, if required).
I am not actively looking to take on more customers however if you think we could work together, please get in contact and tell me a little about your garden etc. If you are within 3 miles of Ash Magna my hourly rate is £30 (No VAT) with a minimum of two hours (assuming you have your own garden waste disposal facilities).
I have recently completed the RHS L2 in horticulture (as a mature student), which, to summarise is an introductory course to horticulture. I have picked up a lot from the course and from doing my own garden, however horticulture is a vast subject, and I don’t mind admitting I still have plenty to learn. I will happily go away and research something if I am not sure, as I believe it is best to treat plants the best way possible. To help increase my knowledge, I have now started a foundation degree in Horticulture and Plant Science.
If we feel we can work together; I do not ask for a contract to be signed, I prefer to keep our relationship friendly and flexible. I do however have terms and conditions, these are in the main provided by an organisation I am a member of (the Gardeners Guild), they do not allow me to publish the terms on my website however they are be viewed at here via a password, please email me for the password if you are interested in my services, the terms and conditions provide some important information, please read them before I start work for you. If you have any questions please contact me.
A note about my price:
As a quick guide, my current hourly rate is £30 per hour (please see my Terms & Conditions for more info).
Despite holding horticultural qualifications, I like to ensure I am offering good value to my customers and I feel my rate offers this.
The Professional Gardeners Guild (PGG) has undertaken extensive research to determine the recommended wages / hourly rates for gardeners.
For our area, the recommended minimum rate, for a self-employed gardener is £23.50 to £36.50 per hour.
Please find a link to the PGG website, with the recommended minimum hourly rates here
With all due respect, please do not contact me asking for a cheaper rate, I have carefully researched and considered my costs when determining my hourly rate.
If you need an extra pair of hands to help with regular garden maintenance, please contact me for availability.
I have a link to terms and conditions which I can send you, this is important to read as it helps to explain what is included in my hourly rate.
Email: hello@catherinewilburn.co.uk
Areas covered:
Whitchurch (Shropshire)