Gardening FAQs
Clear answers to the questions we’re asked most about our gardening and grounds maintenance services in Croydon. If you can’t find what you need here, call 020 4538 2649 or email [email protected]. This page covers booking and availability, access and parking requirements, green waste handling, and what to prepare for visit. For a tailored quote, visit our Get a quote page.
Booking and availability
How soon can gardeners attend?
We aim to offer prompt slots across Croydon and the wider CR area. Availability varies with the season and the size of the job. For urgent tidy-ups or safety-related work (e.g., storm debris), we’ll do our best to prioritise the next available window. Share photos and your postcode via Get a quote so we can check the earliest attendance.
Do you work on weekends?
We offer weekday appointments as standard and limited weekend availability during peak periods. If you need a weekend visit, please mention it when you enquire so we can match you to the next suitable slot.
How to reschedule a gardening visit?
No problem—plans change. Please let us know as soon as you can by phone or email. We’ll offer the next available date that suits you. If equipment or skips have already been arranged, we’ll discuss options and any potential charges before confirming a new time.
How long does a tidy up take?
It depends on garden size and scope. A typical front-and-back tidy can range from a couple of hours for light work to a full day for overgrown spaces. Share photos and a short list of tasks; we’ll estimate duration when quoting. For large or complex projects, we may recommend a site visit.
Do you offer regular maintenance plans?
Yes. We provide one-off visits and recurring maintenance—weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or seasonal. Regular schedules help keep lawns, hedges, and beds in top condition and can be more cost-effective than ad-hoc work. Ask about our maintenance plans when you enquire.
Is a site visit needed before booking?
Not always. Clear photos and a short brief are often enough for a firm quote, especially for lawn mowing, hedge trimming, or one-off tidy-ups. We may recommend a site visit for larger gardens, complex pruning, or where access is uncertain. Use How it works to see our simple process from enquiry to completion.
Access and parking requirements
What access do you need?
Safe access to the garden and any areas we’re working on is essential. A side gate is ideal, but we can also go through the property with protective coverings if needed. Please tell us about narrow access, steps, or shared entrances in advance so we can plan accordingly.
How to provide access if away?
If you can’t be home, we can work with key safes, concierge, a trusted neighbour, or a pre-arranged gate code. Please confirm your preferred access method in writing beforehand, and ensure pets are secured. We’ll send an arrival window and let you know when the job is complete.
Is parking required?
Where possible, a nearby parking space helps us unload tools and remove green waste. If on-street parking is controlled, permits or visitor passes are appreciated. If none are available, we’ll look for public parking but this may add time for loading and unloading.
Can you work in rain or winter?
Generally, yes. Many tasks—like hedge trimming, pruning, leaf clearance, and winter tidy-ups—can proceed in light rain or cold temperatures. We’ll pause or reschedule in severe weather (e.g., high winds, heavy storms, icy conditions) for safety and quality. Winter is a good time for structural pruning and planning projects.
Green waste handling
Do you take away green waste?
Yes, we can remove bagged green waste as part of the service. Let us know your preference: leave neatly bagged in your green bin/compost area, or remove from site for responsible disposal. For large volumes (e.g., overgrown garden clearance or tree pruning), waste removal may be itemised on your quote.
What happens to garden waste you remove?
Green waste is taken to licensed facilities or composted where feasible. We aim to recycle or compost organic matter and reduce landfill. We never fly-tip. If you’d prefer us to leave chippings for your borders or compost heap, just ask.
Can you chip branches or shred waste on-site?
For suitable jobs, we can arrange on-site chipping or shredding by request. This is helpful for mulching beds or reducing waste volume. Mention it when booking so we can bring the right equipment and plan for access and noise.
What to prepare for visit
What should I do before you arrive?
- Share clear photos and a brief task list when booking.
- Confirm access instructions and parking details.
- Secure pets and clear children’s toys or obstacles from lawns and paths.
- Identify any plants to keep, avoid, or move.
- Flag up any cables, sprinklers, or delicate features we should work around.
Do you bring tools and fuel?
Yes. Our teams arrive with professional tools, fuel, and safety equipment suitable for the tasks booked. If specialist kit is required (e.g., long-reach saws, pressure washers, or chippers), we’ll confirm ahead of time.
What if power or water is needed?
Most garden tasks are completed with petrol or battery-powered equipment. If we’re pressure washing or need mains power for certain tools, we’ll discuss it in advance. For water-fed cleaning or pressure washing, an outdoor tap is ideal; if unavailable, we’ll propose alternatives.
Will you protect lawns, paths, and interiors?
We use protective sheets if travelling through your home and take care around hard landscaping and beds. For heavy clearances or wet conditions, we’ll discuss the best route to minimise any marking or compaction.
Services and scope
What gardening services do you offer?
We cover routine maintenance, one-off clearances, seasonal work, and soft landscaping. Popular services include lawn care, hedge and shrub pruning, bed maintenance, planting, and pressure washing for patios and driveways. Explore the full list on our Services page.
Can you handle overgrown gardens?
Absolutely. Our Overgrown garden clearance service tackles dense growth, brambles, ivy, and accumulated debris. We’ll bring the right tools and schedule adequate time, then advise on maintenance to keep it under control.
Do you provide lawn care treatments?
Yes—mowing, aeration, scarifying, overseeding, and seasonal feeding. We can combine treatments into a plan tailored to your lawn’s condition and soil. For more, see Lawn care, Lawn aeration, Lawn scarifying, and Lawn overseeding.
Do you offer pressure washing?
Yes. We clean patios, paths, decking, driveways, and fences. View Patio cleaning, Driveway cleaning, Decking cleaning, and Fence cleaning. We’ll assess surface type, drainage, and jointing to choose the right method.
On the day
What time will you arrive?
We provide an arrival window rather than an exact time. Traffic, parking, and previous jobs can affect timings. We’ll keep you updated if anything changes and will always aim to arrive within the agreed window.
How many gardeners will attend?
Team size depends on the job. Small tasks may need one operative; larger clearances or pruning may require a team. We plan staffing to complete the work efficiently and safely.
Can you work if I’m at work or away?
Yes, provided we have pre-arranged access and clear instructions. We’ll send a completion note and photos on request.
Will you clean up?
Yes. We tidy work areas, sweep paths, and bag green waste. If waste removal is included, we’ll take it away the same visit or arrange prompt collection.
Safety, insurance, and compliance
Are you insured?
We hold appropriate public liability insurance for our gardening and grounds maintenance activities. For details of cover and exclusions, see our Insurance page.
Do you carry out risk assessments?
Yes. We assess site conditions and tasks on arrival and use appropriate PPE and safe systems of work. If method statements are required (e.g., for commercial sites), let us know when booking.
Can you work around pets and children?
We’re pet- and family-aware. For safety, please keep pets and children away from active work areas and equipment until we confirm it’s safe to re-enter.
Billing and quotes
How do I get a quote?
Share your postcode, photos, and a brief description via Get a quote. We’ll review and provide a no-obligation estimate or fixed price depending on the scope.
Are quotes fixed or estimates?
We offer fixed quotes where the scope is clear. If the brief is open-ended or conditions are unknown (e.g., hidden overgrowth), we may provide an estimate with a clear description of what’s included. Any changes are agreed with you before proceeding.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept common electronic payment methods and bank transfer. Full details are provided on your invoice. For ongoing maintenance, we can arrange regular billing.
Do you require deposits?
For larger or specialist jobs, we may request a deposit to secure the slot and allocate resources. We’ll confirm this during booking.
Seasonal and weather-related questions
What services are best in spring and summer?
- Spring: lawn aeration and scarifying, bed preparation, planting, and Spring tidy-up.
- Summer: regular mowing, Hedge trimming, weed control, and watering plans.
What services are best in autumn and winter?
- Autumn: Autumn leaf clearance, mulching, last mow, and planting spring bulbs.
- Winter: structural Tree pruning, Winter garden tidy, and storm preparedness.
Can you help after storms?
Yes. Our Storm debris clearance service removes fallen branches, clears paths, and makes areas safe. We’ll attend as soon as we can schedule a safe slot.
Equipment and materials
Do you supply plants and materials?
Yes. We can source quality plants, turf, mulch, soils, and lawn care products. If you have specific varieties in mind, tell us early so we can check availability.
Can you use my compost or green bin?
Absolutely. If you’d prefer green waste left in your compost area or council green bin, we’ll bag it neatly. Please let us know bin collection days to avoid overfilling.
Do you bring fuel and consumables?
Yes. We supply our own fuel, oils, string, bags, and fixings needed for the booked tasks. If any specialist consumables are required, we’ll confirm before the job.
Special scenarios
I have an overgrown ivy problem—can you remove it?
Yes. See our Ivy removal service. We can strip ivy from fences, walls, and trees, treat regrowth where appropriate, and advise on preventing return.
Can you work at commercial sites?
Yes. We maintain commercial grounds, communal gardens, and estates, with scheduled visits and reporting. Explore Commercial grounds maintenance for details.
Do you handle hard-to-reach hedges or trees?
We use long-reach tools and safe working methods. For higher work requiring additional equipment or permissions, we’ll discuss options in advance.
Coverage and lead times
Which areas do you cover?
We serve Croydon and the wider CR area. For locations on the edge of our radius, we’ll confirm availability when you enquire. See our Coverage page for more.
Are out-of-area bookings possible?
Sometimes, for larger projects or multi-day work. Share details and we’ll advise on feasibility and scheduling.
Preparing your brief
What information helps you quote accurately?
- Postcode and preferred dates
- Clear photos of each area and tasks required
- Approximate dimensions or lawn size
- Access notes and parking info
- Waste preference (remove or leave in bin/compost)
- Any plants/features to protect
The more detail you share, the more precise and efficient we can be. Start your request now via Get a quote.
Still have questions?
We’re here to help. Call 020 4538 2649, email [email protected], or browse our FAQ anytime. For pricing guidance and what affects costs, see Pricing. For a step-by-step overview from enquiry to completion, visit How it works.
