Please advise... [View all]

I have a farm. The property is covered in huge azaleas. The yard literally grows up uncontrollably because the fertilizer used on the corn crop rolls downhill. This causes the grass to thrive.

In the spring, I let the front yard grow because it's full of wildflowers commingled with broomstraw. I have at least one rabbit family, that I know about. I probably have more and I want them to have a habitat. I also want bees and butterflies to have a place to go, too.

I have been having it bushhogged. My cousin was doing it but I don't like him. He's a creepy, sexual predator. I just don't want any sort of relationship with him. Even though he only charged me $150 to do the yard around the house and barn.

The alternative is a guy who says he can cut back the azaleas with some pinching machine he has, bushog the yard and carry off the debris. Now, he wants $800 for the job. He used to charge to run the bushog by the hour and the job ranged between $190-$200. Which is weird. I guess he had to drive slower and had to charge more. Seems unscrupulous.

He's also somewhat of a jerk. He's rude. Has blown me off for weeks. Doesn't respond to messages for days and can't seem to manage a regular, routine schedule. He just insulted me. Even though I was polite in my reply, I haven't heard anything from him about when or whether he's still interested in doing the job. He just seems to have limited organizational and people skills which comes off as unprofessional. Thankfully, I'm not trying to hire him to do public relations.

There used to be all sorts of flowers here but the first guy I hired sprayed something around everywhere. He said it was because of his weed eating.

Eventually, all the Lantana died. The tulips and lily plants don't bloom anymore. The peach and pear trees died, too. It is sad because it used to be extraordinarily beautiful here. At least the azaleas still bloom spectacularly once a year. But they need maintenance, too.

Clearly, I don't know much about the bushhog business. This will be the sixth person to take care of the yard over a span of more than ten years. It's been an interesting experience. Living in a small, rural town as an older single woman probably puts me at a disadvantage. Thankfully, I'm intelligent, have almost unlimited patience and some money.

Here's the crux. What's a reasonable price for such work? How do I find a new person? Should I just find a landscaping company and go that route instead?

Anyway, I know this is long winded. Thanks for reading it. I'm looking forward to hearing from anyone who has opinions and any suggestions. Please don't hold back. I need help. Thanks again!

❤️pants