Flipping Gardeners, a dilemma needing some ideas.

Our local garden centre has a list of local gardeners details, maybe you have one near you with same thing.
There are also a few FB groups for our town and people often advertise for gardeners and get replies/recommendations. Has your's similar pages?

It is difficult to find reliable gardeners, they often seem to start but then disappear.
I would just message him and say your sorry he doesn't seem to want the work and not to worry about visiting you, and leave it at that.

Must say I could not bear to employ a 'gardener' who is not one and doesn't know how to prune properly, or the difference between weeds or perennials, etc.... would drive me bonkers. I have many girl friends/relatives who are permanently arguing with their DHs because they can no longer garden- and their dhs haven't got a clue, and dig the best stuff out and leave the groundelder, etc...

I have not been able to garden yet this year due to ma new knee- but hopefully will be able to begin when we get back home (in the UK at the mo)... I might actually advertise locally for a youngster who is keen to learn and train- and teach him/her working alonside me- but only if genuinely interested. Perhaps someone with special needs like the young chap I talked to at Barndale Gardens yesterday- really interested and good on plants- but not os good at communicating.

The man who helps us out every Monday afternoon is more of a handyman than a gardener. He'll do anything that DH now finds difficult to cope with so unless you need somebody who actually knows about plants and gardening you might find it easier to get somebody who will do whatever you want him to under your direction.

We found ours by putting the word out around the village - pub, shop etc. Sometimes the word 'gardener' puts them off because they don't actually know a nettle from a geranium but boy, can they shift a load of unwanted shrubby stuff.

You may have to provide all the tools though.

JaneA you are probably right about overloading their work schedule in case they don't get any. I just wish the beggars would be honest about about it and say no instead of pratting about.
I have a few leads in our local "link" magazine I will try. This is landscaping sort of work.
I live near to Reaseheath college which do such stuff.

I am planning a polite but slighty cross reply to the guy about his reliabilty. I will think about the wording of it in the garden this morning. If it stays dry.

My daughter started her own gardening business last year, and she's now having to turn prospective clients down, as she can' t physically fit any more in . Strangely enough I was just talking to her about how busy she is only yesterday, and she thinks its due to her being reliable, a female (women feel more comfortable talking about their gardening needs to another woman )and of course, doing a good job. All her customers have come to her through word of mouth, so I second what Nana3 says. She hasn't advertised her services at all.
She is now pushing for 'Grandma ' to move into her village so I can do the school pick-up and enable her to expand. Well, its nice to know I still have a use!

Nellie, not sure if this suggestion fit with guidelines, but on moving to a new area we found seeking advice via Streetlife was really helpful. Someone may be able to recommend or a gardener may be a member. There could be a semi retired gem out there somewhere who only works via recommendation Hope you find someone soon. Do understand the irritation. Our current frustration is trying to get a quote for a summerhouse - the owner of our local independent garden centre came and looked, promised a price - four weeks ago. We want them for the work as they did a superb job on a shed installation, think it is lack of organisation rather than not wanting the work, so will phone and remind them, again. Hope you find someone soon.

Sounds like this gardener will not be reliable, maybe ask neighbours for recommendations, gardeners advertise in local church magazines sometimes. nelliemoser we can be vulnerable in some situations with trades people, I had a terrible joiner, he made a botch of my kitchen.

Oh kitty now you've reminded me of my DM! I've never heard anyone else use that word

You are right jane, I should know better. I apologise to the reliable gardeners out there! I'm still feeling nowty!

Oh dear - I don't think you can dismiss all gardeners like that Kitty - a bit like when people say they hate all dentists
Nellie is there an agricultural/horticultural college near you which might provide a source of newly trained, aspiring gardeners?
That was how I acquired mine and he is very good. He doesn't live near you though!
I think the problem with many self employed tradesmen is that they can't bring themselves to say no to new business and then get themselves overloaded.
Perhaps the first question to them should be 'Are you able to take on any new clients just now?'
Unfortunately this time of the year is their busiest time

The family who own our local independent garden centre sometimes are happy to do odd gardening jobs.

Scarcity of gardeners was one reason we looked for a house with a small garden last time we moved. They seem to be the most unreliable bunch.

I am thinking, but I really don't know the answer.

There are larger, more professional firms around, but I'm not sure which are in your area. Perhaps you could ask at your local garden centre to see if they have a list of recommended people - and, although you may not be considered 'elderly' Age Concern keep lists of recommended gardeners, decorators etc.
It may not be possible, but 'always get three quotes'.

I think I'd be a bit wary of posting something detrimental just yet.

It is annoying, we were waiting on several different days for someone to come and do some concreting and then he came on a day when we had two DGC to look after, so he had an audience.
And we and a neighbour used to have Mr Unreliability to come and do some gardening a few years ago until he moved on to 'better things' .

There are plenty of opportunities out there for anyone prepared to work hard!