Hello!
Hello and welcome! I am Steven Bradley, a professional gardener helping people in and around Didcot, Abingdon & Wallingford with their gardens. From weeding to watering, digging to designing... gardening is what I do. Please have a mooch here to find out more about me and see if might be able to help you.
How I can help A bit about me How much?Apologies - my regular work diary is now full however if you need one-off help or recommendation for another gardener, let me know!
Notes from my Journal
As I go about my work I also write short articles on a variety of different gardening topics. The following are the most recent with lots more are available in my Journal.
10 reliable Tulips that come back year after year
Tulips are an essential for every garden however they can be unreliable, putting on a good show for a couple of years and then are never seen or heard from again. Often this is because the variety (usually the Hybrids) was really only bred to flower for 1 or 2 years at most. However there are plenty of reliable Tulips to choose from and so here are 10 reliable Tulips, including a couple earlier later flowerers, that will be back again and again.
Things to do in November
Are you looking out of the window at the gloomy sky and the cold, wet weather and wondering what to do? Really? This is no time for lounging around - there is work to be done people! OK, things do start to become a bit challenging but November is a really great time (when dodging the showers) to invest a bit of your time that will pay dividends next year.
A bit about me
Your garden is often a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of life or simply a space you share with friends and family but what you don't want it to be is a chore and that is something I can help with. My name is Steven Bradley and I started out as professional gardener in 2018. I work to a high standard and all I do is look after small gardens in Didcot, Abingdon and Wallingford (and anywhere in between!).
Me hard at it deadheading a Cosmos.
A little bit more...
I am very happy to deal with those small gardening jobs that other gardeners would often say no to or might charge a lot for. Perhaps you just need something re-potting or a shrub taking out, whatever it is, just let me know.
I am always looking to improve my skills, knowledge and experience so I still plugging away at studying for an RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture. I completed a great course in Garden Design course at Waterperry Gardens as well as their Fruit Tree pruning workshop - very hands on. Also ticked off is the Rose Care & Pruning Course at David Austin Roses which was so useful.
Keeping in touch with what is going on in the horticultural world is important and so I am associate member of the Professional Gardeners' Guild which promotes professional contacts, the sharing of information and skills and aims to provide the horticultural industry with skilled gardeners and garden managers.
When not "Busy Gardening" I am a volunteer gardener with the Didcot Good Neighbour Scheme (DGNS). For DGNS I have been checked with the DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) - if you want to see the current certificate, let me know.
Other things worth noting are that I am a registered Waste Carrier (registration no. CBDL287272) and any garden waste I deal with for you will be taken to Oxford Council’s commercial disposal facility at Redbridge in south Oxford.
I am also registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) as a Professional/Registered Operator (registration no. 130337) - in other words, I have a responsibility when it comes to handling plants to ensure that I keep records of the plants I am dealing with and knowing where they came from.
I hope this gives you a bit of background about me and what I do but if you have any questions, please do contact me.
Area covered
I want to ensure I can provide the best service so I only look after a small area which is about 5 miles around Didcot. If you are outside that area and need help, do let me know and I am sure we can sort something out.
How I can help
Gardening should be simple but it can get very complicated and even overwhelming however my goal is always to make your life easier so you can concentrate on the things you enjoy and make the most of your garden. The following are just a few ways I can help with your garden.
How much?
Rates for gardeners can vary depending on the type of work, experience and time required however I think it is important to make sure you have some idea from the start.
My Hourly Rate Is...
£21
So I charge £21 per hour for general gardening however if there is a particular aspect to the work that is more specialist, e.g. design and planning or requires those pesky expensive tools, the rates may be a bit higher but all charges will be discussed and agreed with you before I start.
By way of comparison, as of 2023, the Professional Gardener's Guild has the recommended minimum rates for Self-Employed Gardeners in the South East as £25 to £36.50 per hour.
I would always give you some idea of how long the work will take before getting going and if it takes a bit longer it won’t be charged, however if something crops up which slows things down considerably then I would discuss that with you.
There is no pesky VAT, payment can be by cash, cheque, bank transfer (best!), credit/debit cards and also Direct Debit.
However you choose to pay, you will always receive a detailed invoice.
Frequently Asked Questions
When discussing new gardening work there are a few questions that often crop up so to help you here are the answers to some of the most common questions I get asked.
Can you take the clippings, branches, weeds etc. away with you?
I can take small amounts of waste but there will be a charge I am afraid - for more details on why I charge, how much and some other options you might want to consider, please read my Garden Waste page. If the work is likely to generate a lot of waste then again there are some options which I can also explain.
Will I need to be in when you are working?
No, unless the area I need access to is locked in which case I would need someone to let me in at the start of the work but we would discuss that in advance of the work.
Will you need me to provide any tools?
No! I will provide all the tools I need to do the work. If there is access to a power point that is a bonus but not essential and access to water (from an outside tap) is preferable.
Can you replace my fence/install a patio etc?
Sorry, no. I love a challenge but that doesn't mean I am the right person for the job. In most cases I will recommend or find you a specialist to do that kind of work so you get the best results however I am happy to work with them on your behalf to deal with the gardening side of things.
Can you take down a tree for me?
Sorry, again no. This is one of those tasks that is best undertaken by a professional tree surgeon to ensure the tree is taken down safely and dealt with properly.
What are your working days like?
My working day does vary depending on the year and to an extent the weather but I do work all year around - rain or shine or snow! In the winter months I would typically start later and finish earlier due to the light but in the summer (as long as it isn't blazing hot) I start earlier and finish later as there is often plenty to do.
What is your availability like?
My diary tends to be pretty full however there is always a bit of room for one the smaller jobs others are not interested in. For regular work, please do get in touch as I may be able to help.
Are you insured?
Yes I am indeed! I have Public Liability Insurance (up to £1m) which is good business practice for any business and means if your property (or anyone in it) is damaged as a result of my work, a claim can be made.
Do you have a team?
No, it is just me and only little old me though occasionally, Delphi, our Miniature Schnauzer comes along to supervise me! I always want to ensure that the work is done to the highest standards, at a fair price and with the reliability people are right to expect and so I work alone.
Contact me
It's good to talk and if you want to discuss your garden and what you need help with, please get in touch.
Please note my regular work diary is now full and so I won't be able to help with that type of work - my apologies.
For regular visit gardening work I can recommend a local, small and perfectly formed gardening company who should be able to help:
Muddy Spades - info@muddyspades.co.uk - 07483 897940
However, if you have a one-off gardening task that you need help with then I should be able to help - contact details follow.
Email me
(Best way - photos appreciated!)
WhatsApp Messages
(Also good - photos appreciated!)
Text Message
(Lovely, simple and quick!)
Telephone
(If I'm in a hedge, do try later)
Areas Covered
I want to ensure I can provide the best service so I only look after a small area which is about 5 miles around Didcot. If you are outside that area and need help, do let me know and I am sure we can sort something out.
