Gardening in Burlington, VT: Plan and Hire

Define the work before comparing quotes

Walk through the garden with the person preparing the quote. Identify the beds, shrubs and containers you want them to maintain. Mark volunteer plants you want to keep, explain which areas need hand weeding and agree on the finished appearance. For an overgrown bed, have the gardener identify plants before removing them.

Request separate entries for labor, plants, mulch or other amendments, delivery and hauling. For hourly work, establish whether the rate applies to one worker or the whole crew, and set a spending limit that requires your approval before they exceed it. For a fixed quote, list the tasks and exclusions in writing.

For recurring care, agree on visit frequency, the tasks for each visit and how you will approve extra work. Decide who waters between visits and who buys replacement plants. Request proof of liability insurance and examples of work similar to your garden, then discuss access, gates, parking and water supply.

Test existing soil before ordering amendments

Consider soil testing when the job includes renovating beds or choosing fertilizer and lime. UVM’s basic soil test covers pH, organic matter, nutrients and fertilizer and lime recommendations for one crop. You must identify the crop you intend to grow; the lab does not select suitable crops for you. [1]

UVM accepts one-half to one cup of soil in a clean plastic bag with the appropriate submission form. You can print the form without obtaining a kit. Label multiple sample bags to match the names or numbers on the form. Have the gardener follow UVM’s sampling instructions and distinguish areas you want assessed separately. [1]

Review the test report before approving an amendment order. UVM cautions that Vermont has no legal definition or guaranteed content for purchased soil, and even good purchased soil may need adjustment. Have the gardener explain why importing soil serves your project and specify the material and quantity in the quote. [1]

Confirm credentials before pesticide treatment

Find out whether the proposed work includes herbicides or other pesticides. Vermont requires commercial applicator certification for using Class A, B or C pesticides on other people’s land or homes, including rented property. The applicator must also have an affiliation with a licensed pesticide applicator company. [2]

Request the name of the person applying the product, their current credential and the company’s license information. Discuss what they intend to treat, which product they propose and what instructions you must follow afterward. If you want hand weeding or another approach without pesticides, write that preference into the scope before accepting the quote.

Choose a debris destination before cleanup

Specify whether the gardener will leave debris in an agreed area, bag it for you or haul it away. Have them identify the disposal facility and include loading, transport and disposal charges in their quote. Separate branches, leaves and garden debris from demolition material or treated wood.

The nearby CSWD Drop-Off Center at 87 Landfill Road in South Burlington accepts garden debris, leaves, grass and natural wood. It prohibits trailers and dumping mechanisms and limits material sizes and loads. Have your gardener confirm that the intended vehicle and load meet the site’s restrictions before choosing this destination. [3]

Burlington Electric’s Waste Wood Yard at 111 Intervale Road accepts clean waste wood at no charge, including brush and limbs up to six feet long and two feet in diameter. It excludes tree stumps, pressure-treated wood, plywood and particle board. Its page gives conflicting statements about commercial landscapers’ yard waste, so confirm acceptance with the yard before a hired gardener brings leaves or mixed garden debris. [4]

Published UVM soil-testing fees

Match the scope to your garden

Your hiring checklist

1. Photograph each work area and mark plants to keep.
2. Write the tasks and finished appearance you expect.
3. Separate labor, materials, delivery and hauling in the quote.
4. Agree who collects soil samples and reviews the recommendations.
5. Request current applicator and company credentials if pesticides are proposed.
6. Confirm the debris destination, vehicle restrictions and unloading plan.
7. Set an approval limit for extra work and a watering plan between visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for a gardener?

Request a quote for your actual beds and tasks. Ask for the crew size, labor basis, materials and disposal costs, then compare the same scope across offers. The published testing fees below cover lab services; they do not establish local gardener rates. [1]

Do I need to buy a soil-test kit?

UVM lets you print its submission form and use a clean plastic bag. It requests one-half to one cup of soil per sample. Follow its sampling instructions and label bags to match the form when sending multiple samples. [1]

Can my gardener spray weeds?

For Class A, B or C pesticides on your property, Vermont requires commercial applicator certification and affiliation with a licensed pesticide applicator company. Request the credentials of the person performing the treatment and the company before approving it. [2]

Can the gardener take all cleanup debris to the Waste Wood Yard?

Confirm the material mix first. Burlington Electric excludes stumps and several manufactured or treated wood products. Its commercial yard-waste statements conflict, so confirm acceptance with the yard before the gardener transports leaves or mixed garden debris. [4]