By North Atlanta Star Staff
With warm weather lingering and curb appeal still king in neighborhoods from Johns Creek to Cumming, more homeowners are asking the same question:
What’s a fair rate for a gardener or landscaper in North Atlanta?
Whether you’re hiring someone to maintain your front beds, prune hydrangeas, or help revive a neglected yard, here’s what to expect—and how to make sure both you and your gardener are happy with the arrangement.
Typical Rates in Our Area
Across Cumming, Alpharetta, Roswell, Duluth, Suwanee, and Johns Creek, the cost of hiring a gardener depends on:
| Service Type | Average Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General garden care | $25–$45/hr | Weeding, pruning, planting |
| Weekly lawn + beds | $120–$180/month | Regular maintenance, mowing + edge |
| One-time cleanup | $200–$400+ | Debris clearing, mulching, haul-away |
| Seasonal planting | $150–$300 per visit | Includes soil prep, layout |
| Master gardener work | $50–$75/hr | Complex design or horticultural care |
Prices vary with property size, complexity, frequency, and whether you’re hiring an independent gardener or a full-service landscaping company.
Independent Gardeners vs. Landscaping Companies
| Independent Gardener | Landscaping Company |
|---|---|
| Often lower hourly rate | More expensive but full-service |
| May be local or referral-based | Licensed, insured, with contracts |
| Flexible tasks & personal attention | Routine-focused (lawn, hedges, etc.) |
| Cash or Venmo-friendly | Requires invoicing, scheduling |
Tip: For flower beds, pruning, or seasonal design, independent gardeners are often a better fit than traditional mow-and-blow crews.
What Are Gardeners Doing, Exactly?
- Weeding (by hand or tool)
- Deadheading and trimming back overgrowth
- Fertilizing and compost spreading
- Edging and tidying beds
- Selecting and planting native flowers or herbs
- Seasonal color installation (spring bulbs, fall mums)
- Light irrigation adjustments or mulch refreshing
Where to Find Good Local Gardeners
- Facebook neighborhood groups: Search terms like “gardener Roswell” or “lawn help Suwanee”
- Nextdoor: Look for listings under “Gardening Help” or “Yard Cleanup”
- Yard signs: Believe it or not, some of the best referrals come from seeing someone working a neighbor’s lawn
- Farmers markets & garden clubs: Chat with local plant people—many know or are part-time gardeners themselves
Tips Before You Hire
- Clarify the scope: Are you asking for a full cleanup or light maintenance?
- Set a schedule: Weekly, biweekly, or seasonal check-ins?
- Ask about hauling: Some gardeners remove debris; others leave it curbside.
- Discuss plant sourcing: Will they pick up flowers or do you buy them?
- Walk the yard together: Point to what stays, what goes, and what you hope for.
Local Gardeners & Landscaping Services (North Atlanta Area)
Forsyth County / Cumming
- Everlast Lawns & Landscapes, LLC — Full-service yard care, planting, hardscapes. 📞 (770) 480‑2695
- Pannone’s Lawn Pros & Landscaping — Maintenance, seasonal planting, irrigation, design. 📞 (678) 294‑0351
- Lane Landscaping — Design/build landscaping, lighting, patios & planting. 📞 (770) 609‑4510
- Barber Landscaping & Lawn Care — Residential lawn mowing, trimming, mulch services. 📞 (678) 684‑9084
- Absolute Lawn Pros — Yard cleanup, bed maintenance, mulch & planting. 📞 (678) 758‑1876
Johns Creek & North Fulton
- Johns Creek Landscaping (Cumberland Landscape Group) — Residential design and maintenance. 📞 (770) 792‑5533
- O’Neill Landscapes — Lawn care, garden maintenance, hardscapes, irrigation. 📞 (770) 627‑5012
- Buckhead Landscape & Design — Full-service landscaping, seasonal care, design & install. 📞 (call for quote)
- North Atlanta Home Services — Landscape installation, irrigation, lighting, year-round maintenance. 📞 (770) 773‑7323
Alpharetta, Roswell, Suwanee & Duluth (many serve multiple areas)
- 4 Seasons Landscaping & Construction — Hardscaping, drainage, planting beds, smart outdoor design. 📞 (770) 215‑0078
- Miller Landscape (North Atlanta) — Lawn maintenance, planting, seasonal cleanup across North Atlanta region. 📞 (770) 591‑5234
- Additional local independents may include small personal gardeners or referrals seen on Nextdoor/Facebook groups—great for affordable, personalized service.
📋 Best Fit by Need
| Need | Recommended Options |
|---|---|
| Weekly mowing & lawn care | Everlast, Johns Creek Landscaping, Miller Landscape |
| Flower beds & seasonal planting | Pannone’s, O’Neill, local independents |
| Hardscapes, patios, lighting | 4 Seasons, Buckhead Design, Lane Landscaping |
| Small-scale garden help (e.g., pruning, weeding) | Independent stewards (via neighbor referral or Nextdoor) |
✅ Notes for Homeowners
- Many teams offer free estimates—ask what’s included.
- Clarify frequency, whether they haul debris, and if plant material is included.
- Ask for examples or photos of past work if hiring for design or seasonal planting projects.
What Locals Say
“We pay our gardener $35/hr, and she comes twice a month for our flower beds. Worth every penny.”
— Marcy L., Alpharetta
“Our guy charges $280/month for full care—lawn, shrubs, and the beds around our front porch. He’s quick and reliable.”
— Drew T., Suwanee
“I had no idea how much better things could look until I hired someone to prune properly. Now I book her every fall and spring.”
— Anita P., Johns Creek
Bottom Line
Hiring a gardener isn’t just about lawn care—it’s about creating beauty, protecting your plants, and getting your weekends back. For most North Atlanta households, a great gardener is part artist, part therapist, and part secret weapon.
So how much should you pay? Enough to show you value their time, tools, and experience—but still within your comfort zone. Somewhere between $30 and $50/hour is the sweet spot for most personal garden help in our area.
