Gardening FAQs
Got questions about garden maintenance in London? Here are our most common gardening FAQs. Whether you’re planning a one-off tidy-up or setting up a regular visit, this page explains booking and availability, access and parking requirements, green waste handling, and what to prepare for your visit. If you can’t find what you’re after, our team at Gardening North London is happy to help.
Before you book, you may also find these pages useful: see how we work step by step at How it works, check our Pricing, or go straight to Get a quote.
Booking and availability
How soon can gardeners attend?
We offer flexible scheduling across London and the wider North area. Attendance depends on current demand, location, and the scope of work. During peak seasons (spring and early summer) slots can fill quickly; off-peak seasons often have faster availability. Share a couple of preferred windows and any deadlines when you enquire, and we’ll propose the next suitable appointment.
Do you work on weekends?
Where scheduling allows, we can allocate weekend slots. These are popular and subject to availability. If weekends are essential for you, please mention this in your enquiry so we can prioritise the right window.
How to reschedule a gardening visit
Plans change—no problem. Please let us know as soon as you can so we can reassign the slot. Short-notice changes may limit the next available appointment, especially in busy months. Contact us by phone on 020 4634 3354 or email [email protected].
Do you offer regular maintenance plans?
Yes. We provide routine garden maintenance weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, tailored to your garden’s growth rate and your goals. Regular visits help keep lawns, hedges, beds, and borders in steady condition and can be adjusted seasonally. Learn more on our Services page.
Access and parking requirements
What are your access needs?
Clear, safe access to the front and back garden is essential. Please ensure gates aren’t locked or blocked, pets are secured, and any delicate items are moved from working areas. If we’re collecting green waste or bringing larger equipment, a clear route to the vehicle helps us work efficiently.
How to provide access if away
If you won’t be home, we can proceed with prior arrangement. Options include:
- Key safe or trusted neighbour
- Access code for gates or communal areas
- Concierge or building manager handover Please confirm access instructions in writing before the visit. We’ll send a completion summary and photos on request.
Parking considerations
Where on-street parking or permits are required, please let us know in advance. If you can supply a visitor permit, it helps avoid delays. If parking is limited, we’ll advise on alternatives nearby. Some services may require practical proximity to the vehicle for tools and waste removal.
What to prepare for visit
Do you bring tools and fuel?
Yes, we bring professional tools, consumables, and fuel appropriate for the job. For specialist tasks (e.g. large-scale waste removal or equipment requiring extra power), we’ll confirm requirements in your booking.
What if power or water is needed?
Most garden maintenance is fully self-sufficient. For services like jet washing, access to an external tap and power may be required. If these aren’t available, let us know—there are workarounds we can discuss during quoting.
Can you work in rain or winter?
We operate year-round and can work in light rain. Certain tasks (e.g. hedge shaping, lawn treatments, pressure washing) may be impacted by heavy rain, frost, or high winds. If conditions aren’t suitable or safe, we’ll recommend a new slot at the earliest opportunity.
What should I do before you arrive?
A little preparation helps:
- Remove toys, decorations, hoses, or furniture from working areas
- Identify any plants to protect or areas to avoid
- Tell us about wildlife habitats (bird nests, hedgehog houses) so we can work around them
- Ensure access, parking, and water/power (if required) are available
- Share recent photos for clarity, especially for overgrown areas
Green waste handling
Do you take away green waste?
Yes, we can collect and remove green waste upon request. Smaller volumes are often included in routine maintenance; larger volumes from clearances may require additional removal time or a separate waste collection. We recycle green waste responsibly where facilities allow.
What counts as green waste?
Typical green waste includes grass clippings, leaves, prunings, hedge trimmings, small branches, and dead plants. Soil, rubble, and timber offcuts are classified differently. Please mention these during quoting so we can plan the right disposal route.
Can you use my garden waste bin or compost heap?
Absolutely. If you prefer us to use your council bin or compost system, tell us on arrival and we’ll prioritise that before arranging removals.
Service scope and timing
How long does a tidy-up take?
Time varies by garden size, access, and how overgrown the space is. A light seasonal tidy might take a couple of hours; an overgrown garden clearance can require a team and a longer window. Share photos for a more accurate estimate when you enquire.
Do you handle overgrown gardens?
Yes. We regularly restore neglected or overgrown spaces, including bramble, ivy, and sapling removal. For extensive clearances, we’ll discuss waste volumes and any follow-up maintenance to keep growth in check.
Can you advise on planting and lawn care?
We can recommend planting suited to your soil, light, and maintenance preferences, and we offer lawn care such as mowing, scarifying, aeration, overseeding, and turfing. For ongoing improvement, we can build a seasonal programme.
Safety, weather, and seasonal work
Are risk assessments provided?
Where appropriate, especially for commercial sites or higher-risk tasks, we can provide risk assessments and method statements. We always work with safety and best practice in mind.
What happens in severe weather?
High winds, storms, or frozen ground can make some tasks unsafe or ineffective. If this occurs, we’ll contact you to propose a new date. For storm-related issues, we also offer debris clearance.
Can you work around wildlife?
Yes. We take care to avoid disturbance, particularly during nesting seasons. Please flag any known habitats. If we discover active nests or protected species, we’ll pause affected works and agree next steps.
Estimates, quotes, and payments
Do you provide fixed quotes?
For clearly defined tasks with confirmed photos or a site visit, we can provide a fixed quote. For open-ended jobs (e.g. “work until tidy”), we may suggest a time-based estimate with a cap, agreed in writing before we start.
When do you need a site visit?
If photos and a brief description give enough clarity, we can often quote remotely. For complex layouts, access constraints, or large clearances, a short site visit ensures accurate pricing and planning.
How do I get a quote?
Use our quick form at Get a quote and attach recent photos. You can also call 020 4634 3354 or email [email protected]. There’s no obligation to proceed.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept common electronic payment methods. We’ll confirm the options and payment terms with your booking.
On the day: practical questions
Will you contact me before arrival?
We’ll confirm your booking and provide a window for attendance. If anything changes on the day (e.g. weather or access), we’ll keep you updated promptly.
Do I need to be at home?
Not necessarily. If access is arranged and instructions are clear, we can complete the work in your absence. We can provide an update and photos afterwards on request.
Do you tidy up after the job?
Yes. We leave paths and working areas swept, bag cuttings, and remove or stage green waste as agreed. If pressure washing is included, we rinse down adjacent areas to finish cleanly.
Equipment and materials
What equipment do you bring?
We carry professional-grade tools for mowing, hedge trimming, pruning, weeding, and bed maintenance, plus safety equipment. For specialised tasks (e.g. pressure washing or large debris removal), we’ll confirm setup during quoting.
Do you supply plants, mulch, or soil?
We can supply and install plants, turf, mulch, and soil to specification. If you have preferred suppliers or wish to provide materials yourself, that’s fine—just let us know in advance so we can plan delivery and quantities.
Regular maintenance and planning
What’s included in routine garden maintenance?
Typical visits may include lawn mowing and edging, weeding and hoeing, hedge and shrub pruning at the right time of year, bed maintenance, leaf clearance, and general tidy-up. We agree a checklist based on your priorities.
Can the schedule change seasonally?
Yes. Growth rates vary through the year. We can increase visit frequency during peak growth and reduce it in winter, while focusing on seasonal tasks like pruning, mulching, and storm debris checks.
Do you remind customers of upcoming visits?
We provide booking confirmations and can arrange reminders by email. If you need extra notice due to access or pets, let us know your preference.
Commercial and communal spaces
Do you maintain commercial grounds or communal gardens?
Yes. We look after business premises, residential blocks, schools, and shared spaces. We can align with site rules, access protocols, and reporting needs. For details, see our Services, or contact us to discuss a tailored schedule.
Can you work within specific time windows?
For sites with quiet hours or tenant-facing constraints, we’ll plan attendance windows that minimise disruption, subject to availability and local regulations.
Environmental approach
How do you handle weeds and treatments?
We use a range of methods, prioritising manual removal and mulching. If chemical treatments are requested, we’ll discuss suitable options and regulations, and only proceed with your approval.
Can you mulch beds and reduce watering needs?
Yes. Mulching helps suppress weeds, retain moisture, and improve soil health. We can supply suitable materials and apply them at the right depth and time of year.
Troubleshooting and follow-up
What if I’m not sure which services I need?
Share photos and your goals—low maintenance, seasonal colour, privacy, or a full reset. We’ll propose a practical plan and sequence of works. Our overview on How it works explains the typical journey from enquiry to completion.
What if something unexpected is found on site?
If we find issues such as damaged fencing, hidden hardscape, or unsafe trees, we’ll pause the affected task, discuss options, and agree any revised scope before proceeding.
Quick answers to common questions
- How soon can gardeners attend? Availability varies by season and location; we’ll offer the next suitable slot when you enquire.
- Do you take away green waste? Yes—small volumes as part of maintenance; larger volumes can be collected and recycled by arrangement.
- Do you bring tools and fuel? Yes, we arrive equipped for the booked tasks.
- Can you work in rain or winter? Yes, except when conditions make work unsafe or ineffective.
- How to provide access if away? Use a key safe, code, concierge, or neighbour—confirm in writing beforehand.
- Do you offer regular maintenance plans? Yes—weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, adjusted seasonally.
- What if power or water is needed? We’ll advise in advance; many tasks are self-contained.
- How to reschedule a gardening visit? Contact us as early as possible; we’ll arrange a new slot.
- Do you work on weekends? Where available—please request when booking.
- How long does a tidy up take? Depends on size and condition; photos help us estimate time accurately.
Still have questions? We’re here to help. Explore our Pricing and How it works, or contact Gardening North London on 020 4634 3354 or [email protected] to discuss your garden.
