Yep - 15 years newlywed! :cool:

I would be happy to pay one of the neighborhood kids to do it, even if they did a poor job.

What is a gardener? We have no such people for hire.

Perhaps you call them illegal aliens?:cool:

do it myself.
In So Cal we don't have a harsh winter so we get to noodle around the garden all year long.
In the spring it's work and anticipation, then summer comes the garden slows up/less to do and in the fall/winter nothing grows very fast.

The mow and blow for hire guys are fine for lawns.

If you are pulling weeds too often maybe you need to place a nice 3 inch thick layer of wood chips for weed abatement.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1249313446.jpg
Roses let you trim and shape them for the season.
It's light work and my gf's love it when I bring them flowers.

Manuel Labor is not a Cuban jockey in my world.

We work the place together.

I do my own; It takes maybe an hour a week. Of course, I don't have the magnificent spread some of you fellas do.:p

Years ago, I mowed my aging neighbor's yard every time I mowed mine, too. It took an extra 15 minutes.

Voted yes but the wife and I are trying to cut back expenses and this may be one of them. I have a weekly mow/blow service that also trims plants and smaller trees. The service costs $110/month and they (2 guys) are here every Thursday for 1 hr. They do an excellent job and are always asking if we are happy with their work - more so now with the economy... I am happy but maybe will be happier with the extra money...

I can buy a used mower & edger on Craigs list for ~ $200. I already have a blower.

There is nothing I hate more than yard work but that happened to be the first thing cut out when things got tight. Second was the maid.

It would make me about $5/ hour to do it myself, not including equipment purchase, gas and upkeep. I am all for DIY, i.e. on cars I do it all myself. On cars I easily make $30/hour. Worth my time.

George

1 acre, mostly grass. Lots of edging to do (we're on a corner lot).

And I refuse to pay illegals to do it. Last thing I need is to be sued by an illegal who "injures" himself while cutting my grass.

What yard work? moving rocks, raking gravel?

With five acres of lawn there is no way I could afford to pay someone else to do it! With all the rain we have had this summer, I am cutting the grass about every 4-5 days. I split the duties with my son, he does half and I do half, while he weed whacks. Takes about 2 1/2 hours to do all of it. Plus we do any mulching and heavy planting that needs to be done. Have a Kubota diesel 27hp tractor with 6' mower deck, front end loader, rototiller, bushhog, and snowblower for all our needs.

I doubt an illegal would sue -- for fear of being deported...

Besides, if the landscape place is legit, then that company should have insurance.

-Z

I do my own. Partly as a source of pride, partly to get some excercise, but mostly because I do a better job than the gardner that I had for two years.

Backyard:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1249323069.jpg

Front:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1249323105.jpg


The day I moved in - Dec 1997
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1249323215.jpg

au contraire.... http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/09/16-illegals-sue-arizona-rancher/
There are plenty of activist lawyers in this state just itching for a chance to "stick it to The Man" (meaning "wealthy white land owners" like yours truly).

Yep, and these are the ones that cost $250/visit....

Your poll needs a 4th option.

I don't pay a gardner, AND have my weekends free.

http://mayorofconcord.com/wp-content...cord_canon.jpg

I do it myself. 2 to 10 hours per week in the spring and summer. I take alot of pride in my house, lawn and gardens and I'm to frugal to pay someone to do it.

Dave

This is a pic of a small part of my yard..........
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1249341395.jpg

Yes - I travel a lot for work - I hated it when I was home for a weekend and it rained and I couldn't get it done - by the time I could get to it, it was way too high.
I finally gave up and hired a crew to take care of everything.

You don't live in California.