Gardeners in Cambridge.

Show where the mower should stop

Send a wide photograph of the lawn and closer images of bulb foliage or planted patches within it. A sketch with clear boundaries can prevent a retained area being mistaken for neglected grass. Explain whether you want a regularly cut route, a neat perimeter or the whole accessible lawn mown. Ask the gardener to assess uncertain plants before cutting rather than relying on a photograph alone to identify everything.

Cambridge’s parks provide a useful bulb-care example

Cambridge City Council’s park-maintenance standard leaves grass containing naturalising bulbs until six to eight weeks after flowering before mowing it. That is an attributed public-park practice, not a fixed date for every private garden. It illustrates why an instruction to mow everything can conflict with retaining a bulb display. Ask your gardener to assess the plants and their stage, then agree the areas that should remain untouched for now.

Source: Cambridge City Council — Park maintenance standards →

Separate today’s finish from the later cut

An illustrative request could cover mowing the main lawn, edging the path and hand-weeding a border, while leaving a marked bulb patch. Ask whether a later return for that patch is part of the offer or a separate visit. Record whether cuttings are collected, mulched where suitable, or removed from the property. Avoid comparing quotes that achieve different finishes without recognising the difference.

Use seasonal priorities to control the work

Tell the provider which plants matter most and how much regular upkeep you want to do yourself. Pruning, replacing plants and changing the layout should be separately agreed. Include the access route for equipment and the position of outside taps if relevant. Send your Cambridge postcode and garden photographs on WhatsApp; providers propose prices for the brief and availability is checked before arrangements are confirmed.