Frequently Asked Questions
Kernow Landscape Gardening offers a full range of residential garden services across Cornwall, including grass cutting, lawn mowing, hedge trimming and cutting, weed removal and control, garden maintenance, seasonal garden tidy-ups, and full garden clearances. All services are available to homeowners across the whole of Cornwall on a one-off or regular basis – from Penzance and St Ives in the west to Truro, Falmouth, Newquay, Bodmin, and Bude across the county.
Most Cornwall gardens benefit from fortnightly maintenance during the growing season – typically April through to October – and monthly visits through the winter months. Cornwall’s mild, wet climate means grass grows significantly faster than in many other parts of the UK, so regular lawn cutting is essential to keep it healthy and manageable. Hedges in Cornwall typically need cutting two to three times a year, with the main trim best carried out between March and September.
Yes – one-off visits are always welcome alongside regular maintenance contracts. Whether it’s a seasonal garden tidy-up, an overgrown garden clearance, a single hedge cut, or a one-off lawn mow, every job across Cornwall is treated with the same care and attention regardless of size. There is no minimum commitment required to book.
Sustainability is at the core of how Kernow Landscape Gardening operates. Low-impact, eco-conscious methods are used throughout every job – including responsible garden waste disposal, environmentally considerate weed control, and practices that protect and support Cornwall’s natural landscape. Where possible, chemical treatments are avoided in favour of manual, sustainable alternatives.
Getting a quote is simple and completely free. Call 07873 983117, email contact@kernowlandscapegardening.co.uk, or send a direct message on Instagram or Facebook. James responds promptly – usually the same day – and can typically visit within a few days to assess the work and provide a fair, transparent quote with no obligation to proceed.
Grass cutting prices in Cornwall typically range from £40 to £80 for a standard domestic lawn, depending on the size of the lawn, how overgrown it is, and how frequently it is cut. Smaller front or back gardens at the lower end, larger or more overgrown lawns at the higher end. Regular customers on a fortnightly or monthly schedule often benefit from a more competitive rate than one-off visits. A free no-obligation quote is always provided before any work begins.
Hedge trimming prices in Cornwall generally range from £30 to £150 depending on the length, height, and thickness of the hedge, how overgrown it is, and whether waste removal is required. A small front garden hedge will sit at the lower end of that range, while a long boundary hedge or significantly overgrown hedge will cost more. Every quote is assessed individually – call, email, or message for a free, honest price.
Garden service pricing varies for several reasons – and it’s important to understand what affects the cost before booking. The main factors include:
– The size of your garden or the specific area being worked on – larger spaces naturally take more time and effort.
– The condition of the garden – an overgrown lawn or heavily neglected hedge takes significantly longer to bring back to a good standard than one that is regularly maintained.
– The frequency of visits – regular maintenance customers are easier and quicker to service than one-off jobs, which is often reflected in the price.
– Access and location – gardens that are difficult to access or require additional equipment may affect the cost.
– Waste disposal – all garden waste is removed and disposed of responsibly, which is factored into the price.
At Kernow Landscape Gardening, every quote is fully transparent with no hidden extras. You’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for before any work begins.
Yes – regular garden maintenance schedules are available across all of Cornwall on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis. A regular maintenance contract means your garden is consistently looked after throughout the year, reducing the time and cost of each individual visit. It also means you have a reliable, trusted local gardener who knows your garden well and keeps it looking its best in every season.
Kernow Landscape Gardening covers the whole of Cornwall for all garden services – including lawn care, hedge trimming, weed removal, garden maintenance, tidy-ups, and clearances. This includes West Cornwall towns such as Penzance, St Ives, Hayle, and Helston; Mid Cornwall including Truro, Falmouth, Redruth, Camborne, Newquay, and St Austell; and East and North Cornwall including Bodmin, Padstow, Wadebridge, Bude, Launceston, Looe, Saltash, and surrounding areas. If you’re unsure whether your location is covered, simply call or message for confirmation.
This is an important question and one every homeowner should ask before hiring a gardener or landscaper. Please contact James directly on 07873 983117 or at contact@kernowlandscapegardening.co.uk for full details on insurance and public liability cover before booking.
Hiring a professional landscape gardener in Cornwall saves you time, effort, and often money in the long run. A professional has the right tools, knowledge, and experience to do the job properly and efficiently – what might take you a full weekend can typically be completed in a fraction of the time. Regular professional garden maintenance also keeps your outdoor space in better condition year-round, prevents small problems from becoming expensive ones, and adds genuine value and kerb appeal to your property. For older homeowners or those with limited mobility, a reliable local gardener also removes the physical strain and safety risk of tackling garden work alone.
Kernow Landscape Gardening is an independently run, sole trader business – meaning every job is handled personally by James, with no subcontractors or third parties involved. With over twelve years of hands-on landscape gardening experience across Cornwall, James brings both deep trade knowledge and a fresh, modern eye to every garden he works in. The business is built on traditional Cornish values – reliability, honesty, fair pricing, and genuine pride in the work – combined with a sustainable, eco-friendly approach that respects Cornwall’s natural environment.
Yes – always. When you book Kernow Landscape Gardening, you get James every single time. There are no subcontractors, no agency workers, and no surprises. This is something larger gardening companies and franchises simply cannot offer. For customers who value consistency, reliability, and building a relationship with the person working in their garden, this is one of the most important things to know before booking. Your garden will always be looked after by the same pair of hands – someone who knows your outdoor space, understands what you like, and takes personal pride in the results.
No – you don’t need to be home at all. Many customers across Cornwall are out at appointments, at work, or simply prefer not to be in during garden visits, and that’s completely fine. As long as access to your garden is available, James will carry out the work to the same high standard whether you’re home or not. After every visit you’ll receive confirmation that the job is done, and any observations or recommendations about your garden will be passed on promptly.
Trust is everything – and it’s something James takes seriously. Kernow Landscape Gardening is a sole trader business built entirely on reputation in Cornwall. Every job is carried out with the same care and attention whether the customer is watching or not, because the quality of the work reflects directly on James’s name and the business he is building. If you have any specific instructions or preferences about how your garden should be looked after in your absence, simply let James know and they will be followed to the letter.
If you’re not completely satisfied with any aspect of the work, please get in touch straight away. James will return to address any concerns promptly and at no additional cost. The goal of every visit is a result you’re genuinely happy with – not just a job that’s been done and forgotten about. Customer satisfaction is how Kernow Landscape Gardening builds its reputation across Cornwall, and no concern is ever too small to take seriously.
Absolutely – and please don’t feel embarrassed for a moment. Gardens get away from people all the time, for all sorts of reasons. Life gets busy, health gets in the way, or things simply build up over time without anyone noticing. James has worked in gardens across Cornwall in every possible condition – from slightly overgrown lawns to completely neglected plots that haven’t been touched in years. There is no judgement here whatsoever. Every garden, no matter the state it’s in, deserves to be looked after properly – and that’s exactly what will happen. The first step is simply getting in touch for a free, no-pressure quote.
Starting is simpler than you might think. Just call 07873 983117, send an email to contact@kernowlandscapegardening.co.uk, or send a message on Instagram or Facebook. Describe your garden and what you’d like help with – even if you’re not sure exactly what you need, that’s absolutely fine. James will ask a few simple questions, arrange a convenient time to visit and assess the garden, and provide a free, clear, no-obligation quote. There’s no paperwork, no complicated process, and no pressure to commit to anything until you’re completely comfortable.
Yes – absolutely. There is no requirement to commit to a regular schedule upfront. Many customers across Cornwall start with a single one-off visit – a tidy-up, a lawn cut, or a hedge trim – to see the quality of the work before deciding whether to book regular maintenance. There’s no minimum commitment and no pressure. If you’d like to continue after the first visit, James will be happy to discuss a regular schedule that works for you.
Yes – a free assessment visit can be arranged before any regular schedule is agreed. This gives you the chance to meet James, walk around your garden together, discuss what you’d like done and how often, and get a clear and honest quote. It also gives James the opportunity to understand your garden properly so the service can be tailored exactly to your needs from the very first visit.
Payment can be made by bank transfer or cash – whichever is most convenient for you. Payment is typically requested on completion of the work or at the end of each visit for regular customers. There are no complicated invoicing systems or delayed billing. Everything is kept simple, clear, and straightforward.
No – James arrives fully equipped with everything needed to carry out the work. You don’t need to provide any tools, equipment, or materials. All you need to do is ensure access to your garden is available on the day of the visit.
Cornwall’s weather is famously changeable – and light rain doesn’t always prevent garden work from being carried out. Hedge trimming, weed removal, and garden clearances can often continue in light rain. Lawn mowing is generally best avoided in very wet conditions as it can damage the grass and leave an uneven finish. If the weather makes it impossible to carry out the work safely or to a good standard, James will contact you as soon as possible to reschedule at a mutually convenient time, at no extra cost.
For one-off jobs, a few days’ notice is usually sufficient depending on availability at the time. For urgent visits – such as a garden tidy-up before an event or a clearance that needs doing quickly – contact James directly and he will do his best to accommodate you as soon as possible. For regular maintenance schedules, it helps to book a couple of weeks in advance to secure your preferred day and time slot.
Yes – regular customers across Cornwall can arrange a fixed weekly, fortnightly, or monthly slot on a consistent day. This gives you the reassurance of knowing exactly when your garden will be looked after, without having to rebook each time. A fixed schedule also means James becomes familiar with your garden over time, which results in a better, more tailored service with every visit.
Life happens – and cancelling or rescheduling is never a problem. Simply give as much notice as possible by calling or messaging directly. There are no cancellation fees for reasonable notice. James understands that health appointments, family commitments, and unexpected events can get in the way, and will always do his best to find an alternative time that works for you.
In Cornwall, the best time for the main annual hedge cut is late summer – typically August to September – after the main growth flush has finished and before autumn sets in. A second lighter trim in late winter or early spring, around February to March, helps maintain shape before the new growing season begins. It’s important to avoid cutting hedges between March and August where possible, as this is the main nesting season for birds in Cornwall and cutting during this period can disturb active nests – which is both harmful to wildlife and an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
This is an important question and one that responsible gardeners take seriously. The main bird nesting season in the UK runs from March to August, and during this period it is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to intentionally damage or destroy an active bird’s nest. Before any hedge is cut during this period, it should be carefully checked for active nests. At Kernow Landscape Gardening, every hedge is checked before cutting – and if an active nest is found, the work will be paused and rescheduled until the nest is no longer in use. Cornwall’s wildlife is something worth protecting, and this is a step that should never be skipped.
During summer in Cornwall, grass should generally be cut to a height of around 25 to 40mm – never shorter than 25mm, as cutting too short stresses the lawn and makes it more vulnerable to drought and disease. In very warm and dry spells, raising the cutting height slightly helps the grass retain moisture and stay healthier. In wetter periods, which are common in Cornwall, more frequent cutting at a moderate height keeps the lawn tidy without scalping it.
Yellow patches on a lawn in summer are common across Cornwall and are usually caused by one of three things – drought stress, lawn disease such as red thread or fusarium, or grass that has been cut too short. Cornwall’s summer weather can switch quickly between dry spells and heavy rainfall, which puts lawns under stress. In most cases, yellowing caused by drought will recover naturally once rainfall returns. Lawn disease may require treatment. Regular, correctly-height cutting and avoiding over-fertilising can prevent many of these problems. James can assess your lawn during a visit and advise on the best course of action.
Weed removal is most effective when the roots are removed entirely rather than just the surface growth. After removal, the best way to prevent weeds returning is to mulch garden beds, maintain a dense and healthy lawn that leaves no bare soil for weeds to colonise, and carry out regular maintenance visits to catch any regrowth early. Weeds are a natural part of any garden – the key is staying on top of them consistently rather than letting them establish. A regular garden maintenance schedule with Kernow Landscape Gardening is the most effective long-term solution for weed control across Cornwall.
Uneven hedge growth is usually caused by one of three things – inconsistent trimming over time, one side of the hedge receiving more sunlight than the other, or the hedge recovering from being cut back too hard in a previous season. Some hedge varieties also naturally grow faster on certain sides. Regular, consistent trimming at the correct time of year encourages even, healthy growth. If your hedge has become significantly uneven, a careful reduction cut followed by regular maintenance over one to two growing seasons will usually bring it back into shape.
Yes – a well-maintained garden has a genuine positive impact on a property’s kerb appeal and perceived value. Research consistently shows that a tidy, attractive outdoor space can add meaningful value to a home and significantly speed up its sale. In Cornwall particularly, where outdoor living and connection to the natural landscape are highly valued, a well-kept garden makes a strong first impression on potential buyers, visitors, and neighbours alike. Regular professional garden maintenance is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect and enhance the value of your property.
Regular maintenance is almost always more cost-effective in the long run. A garden that is consistently looked after requires less time and effort at each visit, which keeps individual costs lower. A garden that has been left to become overgrown requires significantly more work to restore – often several times the cost of the routine visits that would have prevented it. Regular maintenance also keeps your garden looking its best year-round rather than only after an occasional clear-up, and reduces the risk of long-term problems such as hedge overgrowth, weed infestation, and lawn deterioration that are far more expensive to correct.
This is an entirely reasonable question and one that responsible homeowners – particularly older or more vulnerable customers – should always feel comfortable asking any tradesperson. Please contact James directly on 07873 983117 or at contact@kernowlandscapegardening.co.uk to discuss this and any other reassurances you need before booking. No question is too personal when it comes to feeling safe and comfortable inviting someone to work at your home.
Cornwall’s mild, moist Atlantic climate is ideal for a wide range of plants that struggle elsewhere in the UK. Hardy fuchsias, agapanthus, echiums, pittosporum, griselinia, and escallonia all thrive in Cornish gardens and make excellent low-maintenance choices. Hydrangeas are particularly well suited to Cornwall’s acidic soils and often grow to impressive sizes. Coastal gardens benefit from salt-tolerant species such as tamarisk, sea buckthorn, and red valerian. If you’d like advice on what would work well in your specific garden, James is happy to share his observations and recommendations during a visit.
Choosing a local, independent landscape gardener in Cornwall means your money stays in the local economy, you get a personal and consistent service from someone who knows Cornwall’s climate and conditions, and you build a genuine relationship with the person looking after your garden. National companies and franchises often use different staff for each visit, operate to rigid schedules, and lack the local knowledge and personal investment that comes from someone building their own reputation in the community they grew up in. With Kernow Landscape Gardening, you always deal directly with James – no call centres, no middlemen, and no compromise on quality.