In this section, you’ll find all of the frequently asked questions about gardening and landscaping. This covers everything from building a swimming pool to removing an old tree stump with the help of the professionals, whether you need them for a quick one-off job or a large backyard redesign project.

Landscape Contractors

What do landscape contractors do?

What does a landscape contractor do? Just about everything that makes an outdoor space beautiful. Landscape contractors are in charge of constructing, maintaining, repairing, and installing gardens and outdoor areas. This includes everything from flowers and shrubs, to trees, patios, and pathways. A landscape contractor will typically contract others to help with the task, such as a landscape architect to make designs, or landscapers to help with the work itself.

The job also entails knowledge of the local area and which plants and materials would work best. For example, a sunny backyard in Queensland is going to require different species than a shady space in Melbourne. This part of landscape design requires knowledge of local weather systems all year round, making it an in-depth job that takes a huge amount of industry experience and insight.

How do you design the backyard?

Not sure how to design the backyard? The trick is to relax, remember that there is no wrong or right – and perhaps enlist the help of a professional. If you’re looking for how to landscape design for your own garden, start by considering your space, your climate, and what you want to achieve.

Easy-to-care-for backyards may contain a lot of shrubs and trees that grow well in your region, whereas brightly coloured and floral gardens will need more attention – and a lot of flowers. Professional landscape design plans take all these factors into account, which is why hiring a landscape architect to create the plans for you can take a lot of the work out of the equation. 

How do you find a good landscape architect?

Wondering how to find a good landscape architect? There are a few ways you can go about it. First, ask friends, family, and coworkers to see if anyone can recommend landscapers in your area – and remember to ask for a couple of photos of their finished work to make sure you like the look. You can also run a search on a landscape designer in Sydney, or wherever you are, with Yellow.

You’ll be able to read reviews from previous customers, and you can get in touch with each landscape professional to ask for any examples of their work, such as a portfolio or before and after photos. The next step is to meet in person so they can assess your outdoor space and talk about your goals. 

Tree felling and stump removal

How much is tree felling?

If you’ve got a tree on your property you need to cut down, you may need a professional who works in tree felling to help you out. Doing it yourself could result in injury or damage to your property (or your neighbour’s) should the tree fall the wrong way, so investing in an expert who knows proper tree felling techniques is the safest option. The tree felling cost will vary greatly depending on your region, the size of the tree, the complexity of the job, and whether or not you also want the stump removed from the ground.

Therefore, the cost of felling a tree can be anywhere from roughly $500 to $5,000. The trick is to talk to a tree feller and request a quote specific to you. You can (and should) ask for quotes from multiple professionals to get a good idea of the industry average, and what’s included in this price.

How do you pull out tree stumps?

Once you’ve cut down the tree, the next thing you’ll be looking for is how to pull out tree stumps. To start, you’ll need a strong spade. Begin by digging around the stump, but not right next to it, or you’ll just be digging into roots. Once you’ve loosened the soil, remove it.

There will likely be large roots that you’ll need to cut through with an axe. With those roots cut, you can lever the stump back and forward to let you get under the stump itself and dig out underneath it, and continue cutting the roots you find there. As soon as all the roots are cut, you should be able to pull out the stump and refill the hole. Of course, you can also pay for tree stump removal, as a professional will save you a lot of digging and chopping.

Lawn cutting, maintenance

How much does it cost for professional lawn mowing?

Lawn mowing services can be a huge help when you already have an endless errands list each weekend. Lawn cutting prices will vary, but typically, you can expect to pay roughly $40 to $50 per hour for the service. For smaller areas, the job will likely only take an hour, and if you’re usually the one to mow the lawn, you’ll have a good idea of how long it usually takes you. One idea is to get in touch with a few local lawn mowing services to ask for a quote, which will help you find an average price that you can expect. Even if you only employ a professional to help out with lawn cutting once a month, this handy service can make a big difference to your time off!

How do you fertilise a lawn?

When you’re looking for how to fertilise the lawn, it’s important to note that there are different products for different times of year. As the seasons change, your lawn has different needs, so be sure to choose the correct product before you start applying. For example, cooler areas may need a springtime fertiliser that’s high in nitrogen to help the lawn move out of the cold winter season, while autumn usually calls for a fertiliser high in potassium to help prepare the grass for the cooler months.

There are also different types of fertiliser – chemical and organic. If you opt for a chemical fertiliser, you must use a lawn spreader to ensure even application. An organic lawn fertiliser can be a gentler option for your lawn, although it may not work as quickly. Typically, you’ll either spray or shake the fertiliser over your lawn, but it’s important to read the instructions on the pack, as directions vary. Fertilise your lawn twice per year (in autumn and spring) for best results. And remember that you can hire a professional for lawn maintenance in Sydney or elsewhere in Australia to take the work out of your hands.

Swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs

How do you take care of a swimming pool?

Whether you’ve just moved to a house with a pool, or have built a swimming pool in your backyard, knowing how to do pool maintenance is important knowing to keep it in top shape. Firstly, you will need to keep it clean. This involves removing all of the leaves and gunk that builds up on the surface and in the water. A filtration system can do it automatically, you can complete it manually with a hand vacuum, or you can employ a pool filter service through the Yellow Pages to have a professional do it for you.

For proper swimming pool maintenance, you’ll also need to learn about the right chemical balance in your pool, as chemicals are required to avoid bacteria building up in the water. The most common way to combat bacteria is with chlorine, and you can either do this by hand, install a salt chlorinator, or install an automatic chemical feeder. Naturally, swimming pool maintenance companies can also help with this step.

Who builds swimming pools?

Have you always wanted an inviting swimming pool in your backyard? You’ll first need to find out who builds swimming pools in your area. Note that you’ll likely also need approval for your pool and a fence around it from your local council. Swimming pool builders will assess the area, talk to you about what you want to achieve with pool, then get back to you with a design.

The swimming pool building process can begin once you’ve given the green light, and the length of time it takes for swimming pool installation will depend on the design and the pool itself. For example, a pre-made fibre glass swimming pool is typically much faster to install than one where the builders have to first pour the concrete.

How do you clean and maintain a hot tub?

If you own a hot tub, it’s important to keep it in good shape, so one of the first things you’ll need to learn is how to clean and maintain a hot tub. Create a hot tub maintenance schedule for yourself and stick to it. You will need to check the chemical levels in the spa and adjust them regularly, as well as clean out the filter often. You should also empty the spa, clean it, and refill every two to four months (remember to use actual spa cleaner than regular household cleaning products, which can disrupt the chemical balance when you refill).

Make sure to air out the spa cover at least once per week to avoid damp areas becoming mouldy, and don’t forget to keep adding water to maintain the water level. If being a spa cleaner isn’t the job for you, remember that you can organise a professional hot tub maintenance service to make regular checks on your spa to keep it in good working order.