How to Hire Landscapers & Lawn Care Workers Who Actually Show Up

You need crew members yesterday. Spring season is coming, you're booked solid, but you can't find reliable landscapers. They either don't have transportation, can't handle the physical work, or disappear after payday. Here's how to hire landscaping workers who stick around.

The Real Problem with Hiring Landscapers

Landscaping is one of the hardest industries to hire for. Why?

• Physical demands - Many applicants don't realize how tough the work is
• Weather-dependent - Inconsistent hours in winter scare people away
• Early mornings - 6am starts eliminate half your applicant pool
• Transportation issues - Crew needs reliable vehicles to get to job sites
• Seasonal turnover - People jump ship when weather gets extreme

5 Must-Ask Questions When Hiring Landscapers

1. "Do you have reliable transportation to get to our shop by 6am?"

This eliminates 30% of unqualified applicants immediately. If they hesitate or say "I'm working on getting a car," move on. You need people who can show up tomorrow.

2. "Have you worked outdoors in extreme heat/cold before?"

Reality check question. If they've only worked retail or food service, they might quit after the first 95-degree day or February freeze. Look for construction, roofing, or agricultural experience.

3. "Can you lift 50 lbs repeatedly and be on your feet for 8-10 hours?"

Don't sugarcoat it. Landscaping is physical. Bags of mulch, commercial mowers, stone pavers - this isn't light work. Better they know now than quit day three.

4. "What's your plan if we have a slow week due to rain?"

Separates people who need consistent 40 hours from those who understand seasonal work. The best landscapers have second income streams or savings for slow periods.

5. "Tell me about a time you had to finish a job when you were exhausted."

Landscaping means finishing the job even when you're beat. Their answer tells you about work ethic. Look for: "I pushed through," "I focused on quality," "I didn't want to let the team down."

Red Flags When Hiring Lawn Care Workers

Watch for these warning signs:

• Can't name any lawn care equipment they've used
• No concrete examples of outdoor physical work
• Asks about time off before discussing the job
• Vague about why they left last landscaping job
• Can't commit to full season (spring through fall)
• Doesn't ask any questions about the work

Where to Find Quality Landscaping Hires

Best Sources:

1. Referrals from current crew - Landscapers know other landscapers. Offer $200 referral bonus for hires who stay 90 days.
2. Construction job sites - Workers between construction gigs often have the skills and work ethic you need.
3. Agricultural communities - People from farming backgrounds understand hard physical work and long hours.
4. Equipment rental shops - Post flyers where contractors pick up equipment.
5. Local Facebook groups - Neighborhood and community groups, not just job boards.

Worst Sources:

• General job boards (Indeed, ZipRecruiter) - You'll get 100 unqualified applicants
• "Work from home" job seekers
• People with zero outdoor work history

How to Write a Landscaping Job Post That Works

The Interview Process That Saves You Time

Phone Screen (5 minutes)

Ask transportation and physical ability questions immediately. If they pass, schedule a working interview.

Working Interview (2-3 hours paid)

Best way to hire landscapers. Bring them on a half-day job site visit:

• Watch how they handle equipment
• See if they keep pace with your crew
• Notice their attitude when things get tough
• Pay them for their time (builds goodwill)

What to Look For:

• Takes direction well
• Asks questions about doing it right
• Keeps working without constant supervision
• Shows up on time with proper clothing/boots
• Stays off their phone

Retention: How to Keep Good Landscapers

Finding them is hard. Keeping them is harder. Here's what works:

1. Pay Weekly

Landscapers often live paycheck to paycheck. Weekly pay = better retention than bi-weekly.

2. Weather Bonuses

Extra $2/hr for extreme heat days (95°+) or extreme cold (below 32°). Shows you value their toughness.

3. Equipment Bonuses

$50/week bonus for crew members who bring their own truck. Solves transportation problems and saves you money.

4. Clear Path to Crew Leader

Show them how to move from $16/hr laborer to $22/hr crew leader to $60k+ operations manager. People stay when they see growth.

5. Winter Work Planning

Line up snow removal, holiday lighting, or maintenance contracts to keep your best people year-round.

Common Hiring Mistakes Landscaping Companies Make

Mistake #1: Hiring Anyone With a Pulse in Spring Rush

You're desperate for bodies when the season hits. Bad hire costs more than staying short-staffed. They damage equipment, lose clients, and poison crew morale.

Mistake #2: Not Testing Physical Ability

Someone can say they're in great shape. Make them prove it. Working interview or have them move mulch bags during the interview.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Transportation Red Flags

"My buddy can usually give me a ride" means they'll miss 30% of shifts. Require reliable personal transportation or arrange crew transport.

Mistake #4: Paying Below Market Rate

You're competing with construction, roofing, and concrete companies for the same workers. Pay at or above market or get bottom-tier applicants.

Sample Application Questions for Landscapers

Bottom Line: Hire for Reliability, Train for Skills

You can teach someone to operate a mower. You can't teach someone to show up on time or work through discomfort. When hiring landscapers:

• ✅ Prioritize reliability and work ethic over experience
• ✅ Use working interviews to see real capability
• ✅ Pay fairly and offer clear advancement paths
• ✅ Be honest about the physical demands upfront
• ✅ Plan for seasonal slowdowns to retain good workers

The landscaping companies that grow are the ones who figure out hiring. Get this right, and you can finally stop scrambling for crew every spring.