Gardener Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a gardener. Feel free to use our gardener job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a gardener.
Who is a Gardener?
The gardener is responsible for the creation, maintenance, and design of gardens, parks, and green spaces.
Common tasks include trimming trees, shrubs, and hedges, cutting grass and mowing lawns, looking after flowers and plants, and managing irrigation systems.
Gardeners are responsible for providing plants with the proper seasonal care to ensure that they remain healthy and strong. Gardeners need to be knowledgeable about plant reproduction, transplantation, and cultivation techniques (e.g. For lawns, shrubs, hedges, shrubs, and ornamental plants. They must also be able to recognize pests, parasites, and other plant diseases and can take the appropriate control measures using equipment or natural products where needed.
The design and construction of garden and park landscapes, as well as other green spaces, is also the responsibility of gardeners. They use materials like concrete, natural stone, and wood.
Gardeners work outside or inside a greenhouse. They use a variety of tools to do their work, including hoes and shovels as well as clippers, shears, and shears. Gardeners must always use the correct personal protective equipment (PPE), to ensure their safety.
Gardeners, unlike generic grounds maintenance workers usually follow the orders of a supervisor and are therefore specialized workers that can work independently.
Gardeners have many job options. Many gardeners are self-employed, providing gardening and grounds maintenance services for direct clients, including hotels, apartment blocks, and private and public customers. You may also have the opportunity to work for companies that specialize in maintaining and improving public gardens and parks. These include nurseries, garden centers, commercial landscaping businesses, and home improvement stores. Employed gardeners may need to work on weekends as well as shifts.
Gardeners design gardens so that plants can thrive. Knowing when to plant is an important part of the job of a gardener. Certain temperatures and conditions are better for plants to thrive. Gardeners are responsible for maintaining a healthy garden and harvesting plants when it is time. Other job titles for gardeners include nursery workers or greenhouse workers.
The job duties that a professional gardener performs daily depend on what type of gardening they are doing and the season. There are many types of professional gardeners. Some will grow vegetables and fruits for sale, while others will plant flowers, shrubs, or trees. Others will be landscapers or professional gardeners, tending to the exterior of retail and hospitality establishments, professional buildings, and municipal areas. A professional gardener does not require specific education, but some may study botany, silviculture, or horticulture depending on their career goals. A professional gardener may tend to have his or her garden and raise products she can sell to distributors, or at farmer’s markets independently. Although this is considered agriculture on an extensive scale, those who work on a smaller scale could be called professional gardeners. You may be able to raise many different vegetables, fruits, and herbs depending on the area they live in and the season.
Another type of professional gardener may raise different kinds of plants to sell, such as in greenhouses. You may be required to grow a variety of plants, shrubs, and trees. They may also sell their products directly or through a distributor. These two types of professional gardeners need to have extensive knowledge about topics like soil types, drainage, nutrients, and how to protect their plants from certain pests or diseases. Organic gardeners need to have a greater understanding of how to grow plants without chemicals.
A professional gardener will maintain gardens and lawns at different locations, even though he or she does not grow plants. This person will take care of maintaining the outdoor space according to the client’s needs. This work will be performed by the gardener based on their knowledge of how to grow healthy plants and which plants thrive nearby. A career as a professional gardener is a good choice for those who love hands-on work and spend most of their time outside.
Examples of gardening jobs include:
- Garden center manager
The garden center manager oversees all day-to-day operations of a nursery or garden center. They are responsible for supervising and training employees, choosing plants, ordering supplies for the garden center, scheduling fertilizer applications, and identifying pests and diseases. The managers of garden centers also interact with the public to advise them on planting techniques, pest control, and plant care.
- Horticulturist
All aspects of plant cultivation are performed by horticulturists. They can use their skills in agriculture to increase crop yields, manage insects and create better plants. They can maintain trees, flowers, turf, grass, and bushes. Researchers in horticulture may conduct experiments on different crop varieties, pesticides, and fertilizers.
- Groundskeeper
The groundskeeper is responsible for maintaining outdoor spaces at large corporations, colleges, parks, and public gardens. They are responsible for trimming trees and shrubs, controlling pests, and planting flowers. Groundskeepers are responsible for maintaining lighting, benches, and fountains, as well as other outdoor structures. Leaf removal in fall and snow removal during winter are some examples of the groundskeeper’s seasonal work. Groundkeepers are responsible for maintaining plant life in malls, large businesses, and other establishments. Golf courses also employ turf managers who are trained in the management of turf.
Gardener Job Description
Below are the gardener job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a gardener job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a gardener include the following:
- Performing basic maintenance, such as trimming the grass and emptying bins.
- Planting and nurturing new trees and flowers as well as other plants.
- Using hand tools, and basic light machinery like plant vehicles and small diggers.
- Servicing garden machinery and equipment
- Keeping your garden clean by removing all rubbish and other litter.
- Giving guidance to management in matters relating to the garden.
- Consulting management on costs for plants and other garden necessities by providing detailed written quotations or reports.
- Trimming, pruning, trimming, and mowing of trees
- Maintaining green spaces
- Weeding and cleaning
- Managing irrigation and irrigation systems
- Using of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, both organic and chemical
- Sowing, cultivating, and propagation plants, trees, and shrubs
- Supplying private gardens, parks, and green spaces
- Designing and constructing gardens
- Growing vegetables and fruits
Qualifications
A professional gardening course is available for those who want to become gardeners. It covers the theory and practice of botany, tree cultivation, grafting techniques, and agricultural chemistry.
A license to operate a tractor and use plant protection products may be beneficial for gardeners.
Experience in gardening, landscaping, horticulture, or agriculture is a plus on a CV.
Essential Skills
The hardest part of any project, most of the time is the beginning. There will always be a lot more ‘buts’ and ‘what-ifs’. Sometimes it is the complicated guides that stop you from moving forward. It’s easy to learn the basics of gardening and everything will go smoothly from there.
Below are essential skills a gardener must have:
- Starting of Seeds
You can drop the seeds directly onto the ground but a professional gardener prefers to start the seeds and then transplant them when they are ready. This increases your chances of success with growth. There is no need to spend a lot of money on seed-starting equipment. To do this, you can check out the various ways you can germinate seeds using recyclable materials.
- Garden Planning
Planning is essential for any gardening project. It will increase your chances of success and help you avoid costly time-consuming mistakes. These are the most common mistakes in garden planning and how to avoid them.
- Soil Testing
This is not a problem for beginners in gardening. It doesn’t matter how rich the soil is, it will still grow anything. As you grow in gardening, you will find that the pH or alkalinity of the soil can affect some plants. You will need to amend the soil, which is another skill you will learn.
- Improving Garden Soil.
For the skilled gardener, gardening and self-sufficiency go hand in hand. Poor soil does not mean that you can’t grow plants. It’s an opportunity for them to show their skills in improving or restoring soil in the way that they prefer.
- Knowing Gardening Terms
It’s not about being able to speak the language of gardening and be able to explain a word when asked. It is about learning the best techniques and tricks to successfully grow plants. It’s all about learning about the plants that you grow. To know the needs of the different plant types, you must first know what they are.
- Determining Gardening Zones
Many gardening novices make the error of planting plants outside of their hardiness zones. Start checking the map to find out your hardiness zone. Every gardening pro knows what plants to plant in each season.
- Storing seeds
Heirloom seeds are a new concept in gardening. This is a gardening technique that many gardening pioneers have successfully kept. These seeds are capable of keeping the best characteristics of each plant variety. Seeds are not only useful for propagation but also for long-lasting food like beans and nuts. This is something every gardener who has survivalist tendencies should be an expert in.
- Indoor Gardening
Every gardening beginner can grow an indoor garden. An indoor garden can be used to start gardening. True gardeners understand indoor gardening as a way of growing plants beyond their seasonal requirements. Indoor plants and indoor gardens purify the air and can refresh a room.
- High Tunnel Gardening
Self-sufficient gardeners will desire to continue growing crops beyond the season. This is possible thanks to the innovative gardeners who created high tunnels or greenhouses.
- Composting
Although you can purchase compost at garden supply shops, true gardeners will make their own. They have everything they need to make organic compost. They will make their compost using their DIY compost bins.
How to Become a Gardener
It is not necessary to have formal qualifications to be a gardener. It is possible to find a job as a gardener if you have experience, training, or education. These are five ways to become a gardener
- Register for a university course
You can take a university course on gardening or another related subject. Many gardeners want to learn how to identify plants, use gardening machinery safely and grow different kinds of plants. These courses are often called horticulture by universities and colleges. It is the science and art of growing plants. You may also choose to enroll in modules or classes on specialized subjects such as tending historic gardens.
There are many courses available including:
- Certificate Level 1 in Horticulture Skills
- Diploma in Horticulture & Amenity Horticulture Level 2
- Level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture
You will need to have one or more GCSEs to apply for a university gardening course. The required GCSEs and their grades will vary depending on the level of your chosen gardening course.
- Find an apprenticeship
An intermediate apprenticeship in horticulture or landscape operation is available. Apprenticeships at colleges allow you to learn practical gardening and horticulture skills such as how to design gardens, grow crops, and maintain healthy plants. There are also horticulture apprenticeships available at professional organizations that specialize in gardening like the Royal Horticulture Society. Most horticulture apprenticeships require some GCSEs. These GCSEs are usually in English or maths in grades 9-4 (A* to B).
- Gain experience
You can gain gardening experience as a volunteer or in an entry-level role. Some people become gardeners by looking for gardening volunteer roles. The National Trust and Conservation Volunteers often have volunteer opportunities in gardening, conservation, or horticulture. A good option is to search for an entry-level job as an assistant gardener.
- You should look for courses offered by professional bodies
You can enroll in a course offered by an organization for gardening. A few horticulture professional organizations offer courses in planning, plant growth, and other related subjects.
- Apply directly for jobs
Send your application directly for the position of gardener. You may be able to apply directly if you already have some gardening knowledge and skills. Before you send in your application materials, please review the requirements for the job and any desired qualifications.
Where to Work as a Gardener
Gardeners spend a lot of time outside. You may need to wear outdoor protective gear such as rain goggles or rain slickers because you might have to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Gardeners often work outside while standing or kneeling.
A gardener who is self-employed, or has a small business may spend some time in an office, managing their appointment schedules, budgets, or creating garden plans for clients.
Gardener Salary Scale
On average, gardeners earn $30,336 annually in the United States. The salary of a gardener will vary depending on their experience and geographic location.