Gardener

Gardeners are responsible for growing and cultivating all types of plants like flowers, trees, shrubs and lawns in a variety of green spaces. These could be public parks, gardens, sports grounds and schools. If you are passionate about nature and the environment, this could be the varied and fulfilling career that you're looking for. To be a gardener, you’ll need to enjoy a practical, outdoors lifestyle. Creativity and an eye for detail will help you to grow gardens that offer enjoyment and interest all year round. There is no set entry route to become a gardener. Employers look for gardening skills and knowledge, and experience. You can study towards qualifications before you look for work. There may also be opportunities to become a gardener through an Apprenticeship scheme. ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Work activities Gardening can be a varied and rewarding job. Your work could involve a number of different tasks which could include: • raising plants from seeds or cuttings • digging, planting and weeding flower beds and borders • pruning shrubs • checking the health of plants by identifying any pests or diseases and controlling them • applying nutrients to plants and maintaining moisture levels • using machinery such as lawn mowers, rotovators and hedge trimmers • maintaining high levels of presentation in public parks and gardens • cleaning and maintaining tools and equipment You could also be involved in designing planting schemes for gardens. You would use your plant knowledge to make sure that your garden had something to offer all year round. This could include positioning plants so they work well together, matching plant sizes and planting so that flowers bloom or shrubs come into leaf at different times. You may also carry out basic building tasks, such as putting up sheds and building walls, fences and patios. As a gardener you could be working on gardens in a wide variety of settings. You could find opportunities to use your gardening skills in places like: • private gardens • green spaces around buildings • street plant displays • public parks and community gardens • botanical gardens like the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew • historical gardens including Heligan gardens in Cornwall • gardens at heritage sites such as Belsay Castle in Northumberland If you work in a garden that is open to the public you might also answer questions from visitors or lead garden walks. ________________________________________ Working hours and conditions If you have a job with a local authority, you will usually work 37 hours a week. Your working hours could vary depending on the time of year. You may be able to do overtime, weekend and part-time work, particularly during busy times. If you are self-employed you can arrange your own hours. You may need to be flexible if your work is disrupted by the weather. For some jobs you will need to wear safety equipment such as gloves, eye protectors and a hard hat. Gardening is a physical job and involves a lot of lifting, digging and carrying loads. If you are self-employed you will need a driving licence, as you will have to take your equipment to the places you are working at. ________________________________________ Income As a gardener working for a local authority you could earn between £12,000 and £18,000 a year. A head gardener, for example, at a heritage attraction or landscaped park, could earn £25,000 a year or more. Garden managers or senior gardeners who specialise in grounds maintenance could earn £30,000 a year or more. Self-employed gardeners usually agree an hourly rate with their customers. Average rates will vary according to the area of the country, your level of experience and your reputation. Figures are intended as a guideline only. ________________________________________ Entry requirements There is no fixed entry route to become a gardener. To work as a gardener you would need to be able to demonstrate to employers that you have the gardening skills, knowledge and enthusiasm they are looking for. Experience in gardening or a horticultural role is highly valued by employers. Volunteering is a great way to get experience. You can look for opportunities on the Do-it website. You could also check with organisations such as the National Trust, The Conservation Volunteers or Wildlife Trusts to find out if they need volunteers in your area. • The Conservation Volunteers (Volunteering) • National Trust (Volunteer) • Wildlife Trusts • Do-it Studying towards a qualification in gardening or horticulture could also help you to gain some of the knowledge and practical skills needed for this career. Courses would cover things like identification of plants, growing plants from seed and how to use gardening machinery safely. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) also offers a range of qualifications. RHS courses are suitable if you are just starting to learn more about gardening and horticulture, or if you wish to gain qualifications that will help you begin and develop a career in horticulture. Courses include: • Level 1 Award in Practical Horticulture • Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture • Level 2 Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture There are no formal entry requirements for RHS qualifications. Courses are designed to be studied on a part-time or distance learning basis. Visit the RHS website for more information about qualifications and to search for accredited training centres. • Royal Horticultural Society (RHS Qualifications) The RHS offers funding in the form of bursaries for those involved in or studying gardening or horticulture. Take a look at the RHS website for eligibility criteria and information on other grants that are available. • Royal Horticulture Society (Bursaries) You may be able to start in this job through a Horticultural Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more visit the Apprenticeship website. • Apprenticeships Check out the Grow and Lantra websites to find out more about careers in gardening and horticulture. • Grow • Lantra ________________________________________ Training and development You will usually receive training on the job from your employer and you may have the opportunity to work towards qualifications, such as: • Level 2/3 Certificate/Diploma in Work-based Horticulture • Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in Horticulture If your job involves tasks which are potentially hazardous, like operating chainsaws or using pesticides, you will need a Certificate of Competence for each task. These are issued after appropriate training and are awarded through City & Guilds Land Based Services (formerly NPTC) and Lantra Awards. Visit their websites for more details. • City & Guilds Land Based Services • Lantra Awards You could develop your skills and knowledge by completing further RHS qualifications or short courses and workshops in gardening or horticulture. These could include: • Level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture • Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Construction and Planting The RHS also offers a higher education level Master of Horticulture (RHS) qualification aimed at those working professionally. Visit the RHS website to find out more. • Royal Horticulture Society (RHS Qualifications) • Royal Horticulture Society (Courses & workshops) You can also study towards higher education qualifications like HNCs, HNDs, foundation degrees and degrees in subjects like horticulture and garden management. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew and Edinburgh offer a wide range of courses, some of which can be studied by distance learning. • Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (Learn) • Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (Education) If you have at least six months' experience of working under a professional gardener, you could be eligible to apply for the RHS or The Professional Gardeners’ Guild Traineeships. You would get the chance to gain valuable training and experience. Visit their websites for eligibility criteria and more information. • Royal Horticultural Society (RHS School of Horticulture • The Professional Gardeners’ Guild (The Professional Gardeners’ Guild Traineeship) ________________________________________ Skills, interests and qualities To be a gardener, you should have: • a keen interest in plants and nature • an enjoyment of working outdoors • good practical skills • patience • the ability to use your own initiative • a good level of strength and fitness • creativity and an eye for detail • awareness of health and safety • good business sense if self-employed ________________________________________ More information Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) www.rhs.org.uk Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Richmond Surrey TW9 3AB www.rbgkew.org.uk Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 20A Inverleith Row Edinburgh EH3 5LR Tel: 0131 552 7171 www.rbge.org.uk Perennial - Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Society Tel: 0800 093 8510 www.perennial.org.uk Grow www.growcareers.info Lantra Lantra House Stoneleigh Park Nr Coventry Warwickshire CV8 2LG Tel: 02476 696996 www.lantra.co.uk ________________________________________ Opportunities You could find work as a gardener with organisations such as local authorities, private companies, the Royal Parks, botanical gardens and conservation charities like the National Trust. Some gardeners work for garden centres. You could also set up your own business, offering gardening services to private customers. With experience you could apply for a supervisory job, such as senior or head gardener, with responsibility for staff. You may be able to move into management, although you are likely to need some qualifications to do this. You could use your gardening experience to move into other work such as landscaping, greenkeeping or arboriculture (the care of trees and shrubs). See the Related careers section for more information about these roles. Perennial – the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society helps horticulturists in need. They can offer you and your family confidential advice, support and financial assistance if you work in, or are retired from, horticulture. • Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, in Jobcentre Plus offices and on the following websites: • LGjobs • Horticulture Week • Universal Jobmatch