Garden work is one of the most reliable ways for a teenager to earn money. There is always something to do from spring to late autumn, plenty of people cannot or do not want to do it themselves, and professional gardeners often will not take on small jobs. Light garden work is also on most councils' lists of jobs allowed from 13.
Garden jobs teenagers can do
At any age from 13
- Hand weeding beds and paths
- Raking leaves and grass cuttings
- Sweeping patios, paths and driveways
- Watering plants and hanging baskets
- Picking up litter and fallen branches
- Filling and moving garden waste bags
- Planting bulbs and small plants under the owner's direction
Older teens, with the owner's agreement
- Mowing small and medium lawns with a push or electric mower
- Edging lawns with hand shears
- Light pruning with secateurs
- Clearing an overgrown corner, a bit at a time
Tools to avoid
Keep away from hedge trimmers, strimmers, chainsaws, petrol mowers you have not been shown how to use, ladders and garden chemicals such as weedkiller. Many council bylaws restrict school-age children from using dangerous machinery, and none of these jobs are worth an injury.
What to charge
Professional gardeners typically charge around £25 to £45 an hour outside London and £35 to £60 in London, according to Fantastic Services. As a teenager, fair starting prices are:
- Lawn mowing: around £10 to £20 for a small or medium lawn
- Weeding and tidying: around £10 to £15 an hour, or £15 to £30 for a typical tidy
- Leaf clearing: around £15 to £30 for a front and back garden
See the full price guide.
The gardening year
- Spring: clearing winter mess, first mows and weeding as everything starts growing.
- Summer: weekly mowing, watering for people on holiday and keeping on top of weeds.
- Autumn: leaf clearing, the busiest few weeks of the year. See leaf clearing.
- Winter: quieter, but paths, patios and late leaves still need clearing.
Finding customers
- Ask neighbours, especially older ones and those with big gardens.
- Offer a regular slot, such as every week or every fortnight in summer.
- Take before and after photos, with the owner's permission, to show the next customer.
- Look on KidsHustle, where adults near you post garden jobs.
Staying safe
- Wear gloves and sturdy shoes.
- Take water and sun cream in summer.
- Make sure a parent knows where you are working.
- If a job turns out to involve power tools or ladders, it is fine to say no.
Find garden jobs near you
Download KidsHustle to find garden jobs posted by ID-verified adults near you, with your parent approving each one and payment set aside before you start. If you are a homeowner, see what a garden tidy-up costs.