How to become a Gardener

306

826

£20,000/y

avg. starting salary

Grass looking greener on the other side? You should be a Gardener... As a gardener you’ll be looking after a whole range of plants such as flowers, trees, shrubs and lawns in an assortment of green spaces. These could be public parks, sports grounds, gardens and schools. Your goal will be to provide enjoyment and beauty all year round. Typical duties of a Gardener include:

Growing plants from seeds or cuttings
Managing flower beds and borders
Preserving the health of the greenlife by warding off disease and pests
Looking after plant nutrition and watering
Using machinery such as lawn mowers, rotovators and hedge trimmers
Maintaining high levels of presentation in public parks and gardens
Cleaning tools and equipment

Aside from brief visits to the garden shed, the Gardener’s work is outdoors. You need to have a passion for exterior spaces and the desire to make them better no matter the weather. Plant life can be complicated and highly sensitive to the changing seasons, so a broad knowledge of gardening and the desire to learn more will be a necessity. An average to high level of fitness and stamina may also be desirable, as there are no desk chairs in the great outdoors. Other key skills include:

A keen interest in all things horticultural
Patience
Excellent attention to detail
A hands-on and practical approach to your work
Conflict management and problem solving
Green fingers (not literally)

Gardener

Up to £20,000

Head Gardener

Up to £25,000

Garden Manager

Up to £30,000

"Being a gardener is great, but like any job it comes with its pressures and pitfalls. Growing plants is a long process, and mistakes somewhere along process can have disastrous consequences down the line. But if you know your stuff and plant with confidence, it’s the best job out there."

Get qualified

No formal qualifications are needed in order to become a gardener. However, a wide range of courses are available to help hone your horticultural skills and demonstrate you ability to future employers.

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