Garden Companions

Keep Growing

Garden Companion visits are designed for people who still want to be actively involved in their gardens but would benefit from an extra pair of hands. Rather than taking over, we work alongside you, following your vision and helping with the physical tasks that have become more challenging.

Whether you're planting vegetables, tending flower beds, pruning shrubs, or simply enjoying an afternoon outside, you'll have a companion to share the experience with.

Who It's For

Garden Companion is ideal for people who:

Love gardening but find some tasks physically demanding.
Want to stay involved in maintaining their own garden.
Miss having someone to garden with.
Would enjoy spending more time outdoors.
Value meaningful conversation while working on a shared project.

No gardening expertise is required, we follow your lead.

What Can We Help With?

Every visit is different because every garden is different. Depending on your goals, we can assist with things like:

Planting flowers, vegetables, or herbs.
Weeding garden beds.
Watering plants.
Mulching.
Light pruning and deadheading.
Moving pots or bags of soil.
Digging, raking, and other labour-intensive tasks.
Harvesting vegetables or flowers.
Seasonal garden clean-up.
Planning future projects together.
Acquiring materials or going shopping.

The garden remains yours. We simply help make it possible to continue enjoying it.

What Visits Look Like

Visits are relaxed and flexible.

We might begin by walking through the garden together and deciding what you'd like to work on that day. Throughout the visit, you'll direct the project while we assist wherever needed - whether that's lifting, digging, carrying, or simply working alongside you.

There is always time for conversation, fresh air, and appreciating the progress made together.

Some people prefer weekly visits to keep up with seasonal maintenance, while others book occasional sessions for larger projects or extra help during busy times of year.

Safety & Accessibility

Your safety always comes first.

Garden Companion visits are intended for routine gardening activities and light-to-moderate outdoor work. We adapt each visit to your comfort level, energy, and mobility.

We do not operate heavy machinery, climb ladders, perform tree work, or provide professional landscaping services.

If weather conditions are unsafe or unsuitable, we can reschedule or spend the visit enjoying plants indoors - planning next season's garden, repotting houseplants, organizing seeds, or simply sharing a cup of tea while talking about gardening.

Pricing

$35/hour

Garden Companion visits are typically 2 hours. This provides enough time to settle into the work, enjoy the process, and accomplish meaningful progress in the garden.

Longer visits are available upon request.

If you have any questions, please reach out to hello@extrahands.ca - I'd love to hear from you!

FAQs

Do I need to know a lot about gardening?

Not at all. Some participants have decades of gardening experience, while others are just getting started. Garden Companion is about enjoying time in the garden together, whatever your experience level.

Will you design or maintain my garden for me?

Garden Companion is a companionship service rather than a landscaping service. The goal is to help you remain actively involved in your own garden by providing practical assistance and companionship.
We offer a separate yard maintenance service for these needs.

Can we work on vegetable gardens as well as flowers?

Absolutely. Vegetable gardens, herb gardens, flower beds, native plant gardens, raised planters, container gardens, and houseplants are all welcome.

What if I can't do very much physically anymore?

That's perfectly okay. Some people like to garden side by side, while others prefer to supervise, make decisions, and enjoy spending time outdoors while receiving help with the more physically demanding tasks. Every visit is adapted to your abilities and preferences.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If conditions aren't safe or enjoyable, we can reschedule or spend the visit indoors caring for houseplants, planning future projects, organizing seeds, or simply sharing conversation about gardening.

Do I need to provide tools and supplies?

Participants are encouraged to use their own gardening tools and supplies whenever possible. If you're unsure what you'll need, we're happy to discuss it before your visit.