On this page
Need help with this?
Contact us on WhatsApp, get a quote, or browse our Chiltern Guides for premium PDF instructions.
Quick Answer
A professional gardener does on a maintenance visit: mow and edge the lawn, weed the borders, deadhead flowering plants, light pruning, sweep paths and patios, check for pests and diseases, and report any issues. A typical maintenance visit lasts 2 to 4 hours for a medium garden. In the Chilterns, a maintenance gardener also advises on soil-specific issues (chalk vs clay) and seasonal jobs.
What a Professional Gardener Actually Does
Many people hire a gardener without knowing what they actually do. The result is often disappointment: the gardener does not do what the client expected, or the client expects services the gardener does not provide. This guide explains what a professional gardener does on a typical maintenance visit, so you know what to expect.
In the Chilterns, where gardens range from small courtyard plots to large estates, maintenance visits vary enormously. But the core jobs are the same. This guide lists what we do on a typical maintenance visit, with notes on what is included and what is not.
The Standard Maintenance Visit
A standard maintenance visit includes:
1. Lawn Mowing and Edging
Mow the lawn to the right height for the season (25 to 40mm in summer, 40 to 50mm in spring and autumn). Edge along paths and borders with a strimmer or edging shears. Sweep up the clippings.
2. Border Weeding
Hand weed the borders to get the roots out, not just the tops. Hoe annual weeds on dry days. Dig out perennial weeds (bindweed, couch grass, ground elder) with a fork.
3. Deadheading
Deadhead flowering plants to encourage more flowers. Roses, perennials, annuals all benefit from regular deadheading.
4. Light Pruning
Light pruning of shrubs and perennials. This includes:
- Cutting back dead flowers
- Trimming wayward shoots
- Removing dead or diseased wood
- Cutting back perennials that have finished flowering
Major pruning (of mature shrubs and trees) is usually quoted separately.
5. Hedge Trimming (in season)
Trim small hedges (under 2 metres) with a hedge trimmer. Large hedges are usually quoted separately.
6. Sweeping Paths and Patios
Sweep paths, patios and driveways. Removes leaves, debris and weeds.
7. Checking for Pests and Diseases
Walk the garden and check for pests and diseases. Common problems to look for:
- Aphids on roses and perennials
- Blackspot on roses
- Lily beetle on lilies
- Box moth on box
- Slugs and snails on hostas
- Vine weevil on rhododendrons
Report any problems to the client via WhatsApp with photos.
8. Waste Removal
All green waste is taken away.
9. Reporting
At the end of the visit, the gardener reports on what was done and any issues spotted. This is usually via WhatsApp with photos.
Popular articles
What Is NOT Included in a Standard Maintenance Visit
- Tree surgery: large tree work needs a specialist contractor
- Lawn renovation: scarification, aeration, overseeding
- Hard landscaping: patio, fence, deck work
- Planting schemes: quoted separately as soft landscaping
- Major pruning: of mature shrubs and trees
- Pest and disease treatment: quoted as needed
- Hedge cutting over 2 metres: usually quoted separately
- Pressure washing: quoted separately
The Maintenance Visit Timeline
A typical 4-hour maintenance visit for a medium garden (300 sqm):
| Time | Job |
|---|---|
| 0:00-0:30 | Mow lawn, edge, sweep clippings |
| 0:30-1:30 | Weed borders, deadhead, light prune |
| 1:30-2:00 | Trim small hedges (in season) |
| 2:00-2:30 | Sweep paths and patios |
| 2:30-3:00 | Check for pests and diseases |
| 3:00-3:30 | Tidy up, load waste |
| 3:30-4:00 | WhatsApp report to client with photos |
Popular articles
The Maintenance Year
What we do on a maintenance visit varies through the year:
| Season | Key jobs |
|---|---|
| Spring (March to May) | First cut, mulch, feed, prune late-summer shrubs, plant |
| Summer (June to August) | Mow weekly, deadhead, water, weed, pest control |
| Autumn (September to November) | Lawn renovation, leaf clearance, plant bulbs, divide perennials |
| Winter (December to February) | Prune deciduous trees and shrubs, plant bare-root, plan |
The Cost of a Maintenance Visit
| Garden size | Hours per visit | Cost per visit |
|---|---|---|
| Small (100 sqm) | 2 hours | 80 pounds |
| Medium (300 sqm) | 4 hours | 160 pounds |
| Large (500+ sqm) | 6 hours | 240 pounds |
Based on 40 pounds . See our maintenance cost guide.
Common Mistakes
- Not having a clear agreement. Agree what is included and what is not before starting.
- Not communicating. If you want something done differently, tell the gardener. Vague instructions lead to disappointment.
- Expecting the gardener to do everything. Tree surgery, lawn renovation and hard landscaping are usually separate.
- Not being clear about access. Make sure the gardener can get in on the agreed day.
- Not reporting problems. If you are not happy with the work, tell the gardener immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be home for the maintenance visit?
No. Most clients are not home. Provide access via a side gate or key safe, and the gardener will work and leave a WhatsApp report.
How long does a maintenance visit take?
2 to 4 hours for a medium garden, 4 to 8 hours for a large garden. See our visit frequency guide.
What if I am not happy with the work?
Tell your gardener immediately. Most issues are communication problems, not competence problems. A quick WhatsApp with a photo is usually all it takes.
Get Help with Garden Maintenance
If you want to set up regular maintenance in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Bedfordshire, send us a WhatsApp with photos and we will aim to respond within 12 to 36 hours, Monday to Sunday.
Further Reading
- How much does regular garden maintenance cost?
- How often should a gardener visit?
- How to prepare for professional maintenance
- The CGM Method
Mature gardens benefit from a planned approach rather than reactive maintenance. Keep records of what was done and when, so future work builds on previous seasons rather than fighting against them.
Put this advice into practice
Use the relevant CGM tool or follow a related guide, then send us a few photos if you would like a tailored plan.
Sources and citations
This article draws on the following sources. Specific claims are cited inline where relevant.
- CGM field records (2025-12. Site observations from gardens across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire.
- Royal Horticultural Society (2024). RHS Gardening Advice and Plant Finder. Available at rhs.org.uk.
- Met Office (2024). Regional climate averages, South East England. Available at metoffice.gov.uk.
- British Geological Survey (2024). Soil parent material data for the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Available at bgs.ac.uk.