Gardener won't pull out dead plants but charges massively

Product: The Sims 4
Platform:PC
Which language are you playing the game in? English
How often does the bug occur? Every time (100%)
What is your current game version number? 1.104.58.1030
What expansions, game packs, and stuff packs do you have installed? Outdoor retreat, My first pet stuff, Laundry day stuff, Holiday celebration pack, Cats & Dogs
Steps: How can we find the bug ourselves? not sure how replicable it will be but this is what I've been doing ... 1. I have dead plants in planters (possibly the same for plants directly in the ground but I'm not sure as all of mine are in planters) 2. I click Hire Gardener 3. says they will be there the next day at 09:05 am 4. shows up at 09:05 am 5. eventually bills me saying 'My work here is done' 6. leaves
What happens when the bug occurs? gardener charges me without doing anything. I have dead plants in planters, do i have to remove them myself before they will do anything?
What do you expect to see? gardener to remove dead plants and leave the planter soil ready for new seeds, maybe even plant them for me while they are there.
Have you installed any customization with the game, e.g. Custom Content or Mods? Never used.
Did this issue appear after a specific patch or change you made to your system? Neutral/Not Sure 

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I've only tried this twice and don't want to keep trying it again until I have some input as it will cost me a lot of money every time I try it ...

I have dead plants in planter pots (in my fenced backyard), I click on them and it gives me the option to dispose of dead plants, or hire a professional gardener ... I click on the hire gardener, and it says they will arrive the next day at 09:05 am... they just stand around and do nothing and eventually says 'my work here is done my bill is X simoleons' then leaves ... the dead plants are still there.

Do I have to pull them out myself before they will do anything?

appreciate any help offered.

Thanks