Q. Can one have his gardener cut the grass, spread weed killer and fertilizer during the Nine Days?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 551: 2) rules that from Rosh Chodesh Av until after Tisha Beav one should avoid a 'Binyan Shel Simcha' or building a structure dedicated mainly for pleasure and joy, and that includes planting flora and trees dedicated for those purposes.
Mishna Berura (12) maintains that if a Gentile was hired to do so for an extended period of time, he may continue, since he basically is performing the work on those days for his own convenience.
However, Mishna Berura adds that if he can convince him easily to do it after Tisha Beav, he should do so.
Kovetz Halochos (8: 14) permits due to the fact that the gardening work is basically maintenance and keeping the grass and plants alive, not planting new ones, thus, it is basically a loss preventive work, which is permitted.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is similar. The Rov added that the trimming of trees and bushes should be postponed until after the Nine Days.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a
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