MANY gardeners are starting to tidy up lawns and borders in preparation for the warmer months.

However, if you need someone to sort out your garden jungle, think twice before engaging door-to-door gardeners to sort it out. These people often don't know a dahlia from a dandelion and use hard sell techniques to bump up prices.

York Trading Standards receives complaints from residents duped by doorstep odd-jobbers who are "just in the area" and promise to transform their gardens.

In some cases, the prices quoted are exceptionally high (one person was quoted £120 to trim a small hedge), in others charges begin to rise as "other problems" are found, or work is paid for ,but never completed, or the householder is left to dispose of a mountain of branches and cuttings.

Garden "cowboys" rarely have the right equipment for the job and they are almost impossible to pursue if things go wrong as such people, if they supply any details at all, often leave false names and addresses.

If you are thinking of using a gardener:

- don't be pressured into making a quick decision on the doorstep

- ask friends, neighbours or relevant trade associations about someone who is experienced in the type of work you want done

- obtain at least three quotes from established local traders

- check with the local authority to see if consent is needed to prune/fell trees

- fix a price and be specific about what you want done and when

- make sure you get everything written down - don't rely on verbal agreements

- avoid deposits and advance payments

- if you are at all unsure, just say no.

Older and vulnerable residents wanting work done in their gardens can use traders in the Home Services Directory. Information is available from Age Concern in York or City of York Trading Standards.

Remember when it comes to disposing of garden waste don't fall foul of the law yourself. Whilst the garden bonfire is a popular choice and may save a trip to the tip, it can have a harmful impact on air quality and your relationship with neighbours.

Each year the environmental Protection Unit at City of York Council receives a large number of complaints about garden bonfires, including the frequency of such bonfires, or smoky bonfires burning the wrong type of materials. To avoid legal action consider other alternatives:

- compost garden waste to protect air quality, avoid upsetting the neighbours, and enjoy your free compost to put on the garden

- take the waste to the tip

- if you have to have a bonfire keep smoke to a minimum by only burning dry garden waste.

Contact York Trading Standards at 9 St Leonard's Place or telephone (01904) 551562. Website www.york.gov.uk/business/tradingstandards. Fax (01904) 551590, email trading.standards@york.co.uk

Updated: 08:49 Thursday, March 27, 2003