Gardeners in Spain - Regular Maintenance Contracts and What Expats Pay

A reliable gardener on the Costa del Sol - underrated and worth finding early

Garden maintenance on the Costa del Sol is a year-round job, not a seasonal one. Growth slows in summer but never stops entirely, irrigation systems need managing through dry months, and the Mediterranean climate means that an unattended garden can look significantly overgrown within six to eight weeks in spring and early summer. For expats who are not resident full time, a reliable jardinero who visits regularly and keeps the garden under control is one of the most valuable contacts they can have.

What a gardener in Spain typically covers

• Regular mowing and lawn care - most Costa del Sol properties with lawns use warm-season grasses that grow strongly from April to October
• Hedge and shrub trimming - bougainvillea, oleander, and other fast-growing Mediterranean species need regular cutting back
• Irrigation system management - adjusting timers seasonally, checking for blocked drippers, and managing water efficiently through dry months
• Weeding - particularly important in gravel areas where weeds can establish quickly
• Palm tree maintenance - cleaning dead fronds and monitoring for red palm weevil (picudo rojo) which is a serious pest across coastal Andalusia
• Seasonal planting - replacing seasonal colour planting in pots and borders
• General tidying and clearing - leaf clearance, pruning fallen branches, and general upkeep

Garden maintenance costs in Spain

• Regular maintenance visit, small apartment garden or terrace: 30 to 60 euros per visit
• Regular maintenance visit, medium villa garden: 60 to 120 euros per visit
• Regular maintenance visit, large villa with pool surrounds: 100 to 200 euros per visit
• Monthly contract, medium villa garden, fortnightly visits: 120 to 250 euros per month
• One-off garden tidy and clearance: 150 to 500 euros depending on size and condition
• Palm tree cleaning, per tree: 50 to 150 euros depending on height and access

The red palm weevil - a specific threat to Costa del Sol palm trees

The picudo rojo, red palm weevil, is an invasive beetle that has established itself across coastal Andalusia and poses a serious threat to palm trees, particularly the Canary Island date palm which is widely planted across Costa del Sol properties and urbanisations. The weevil's larvae feed inside the palm's growing point and by the time external symptoms are visible, the tree is often beyond saving.

Prevention is significantly more effective than cure. A gardener or tree surgeon with experience in palm care should inspect palms annually and apply preventive treatment where appropriate.

What to check before hiring a gardener in Spain

• Ask for references from expat clients in the local area whose gardens are similar in size and style to yours
• Confirm they have experience with Mediterranean and drought-tolerant planting
• Agree a clear scope of what each visit covers before the first one
• Confirm they will provide invoices with their NIF and IVA
• For properties you do not occupy full time, discuss how the gardener will report any issues they notice during visits

Finding a gardener on the Costa del Sol

SpainTrades lists vetted gardeners and garden maintenance contractors across Malaga and the Costa del Sol - reviewed by expat clients after real engagements. Search by location to find one working in your area.

Find a gardener near you at www.spaintrades.es