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Q. My husband and I have decided that we would enjoy our garden much more if we were able to find some help in maintaining it. We will try to make that gift to ourselves in the coming year. Our problem: We have no idea how to go about finding a really competent gardener or how to organize a helper’s activities. If you have ever sought and found excellent help in your garden, how did you go about it and how did it work out? Our search may take a while. We want to start looking now.
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A. The very best gardeners I’ve found when I needed help was by word of mouth from people whose judgment I trust. A few recommendations, from people I did not know well, sometimes brought disappointment.
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A few years ago, at a point when I was desperate for some fairly heavy-duty mess-clearing in the garden, I went to a nearby garden centre and asked for a recommendation. They came up with a name and contact for a person who turned out to be perfect. Now that person’s son has taken over the work and is equally capable, and pleasant.
Another suggestion: If this is possible for you, I find it immensely helpful to work with a new helper, and observe. Go through the garden first and list a variety of projects to address — weeding, pruning, mulching, compost tending, preparing plots for planting or whatever else needs to be done. Be aware that not everyone does every kind of gardening work with equal brilliance. I’ve encountered at least one helper I’d never let anywhere near a shrub with pruning tools.
If you don’t mind a further, completely gratuitous tip, take the same approach if you are ever in the market for top soil or bulk compost. Order delivery only after inquiring from gardening friends and neighbours. Usually, one name surfaces as a clear recommendation for a reliable product.
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