Joe's Lawn maintenance services — Gardening & Lawn Care in Altona Meadows

Gardeners charge $40–$80/hr for regular maintenance. A standard garden maintenance visit (mowing, edging, weeding, pruning) for a typical suburban property costs $100–$250 per visit. One-off clean-ups cost $300–$1,500 depending on the garden's condition and size.

Most residential gardens benefit from monthly maintenance in cooler months and fortnightly in spring/summer when growth is fastest. High-maintenance gardens (formal hedges, large lawns, extensive plantings) may need weekly attention. A good gardener will advise on the right schedule for your specific garden.

A standard garden maintenance service typically includes: lawn mowing and edging, garden bed weeding, hedge and shrub trimming, leaf and debris removal, and plant health checks. Additional services like fertilising, mulching, and pest treatment are usually extra. Confirm exactly what's included when booking.

Australia has seven main climate zones. Tropical/subtropical (QLD coast, NT, northern WA) suit native palms, frangipanis, and tropicals. Mediterranean zones (Perth, Adelaide, parts of VIC coast) suit drought-tolerant natives and Mediterranean plants. Cool temperate (VIC, TAS highlands) suits English-style gardens. Ask your local nursery or gardener for zone-specific advice.

Fertilise warm-season grasses (couch, buffalo, kikuyu, zoysia) in spring and again in early summer when they're actively growing. Cool-season grasses (fescue, ryegrass) are best fertilised in autumn. Avoid fertilising in summer heat or immediately before rain — it can burn grass or wash off. Slow-release fertilisers are lower-maintenance.