Overview
Gardeners take care of gardens and other open spaces. These include public parks and the grounds of old houses. Gardeners keep these areas neat and tidy so that people can enjoy them. Gardeners trim hedges and cut grass. They cut back plants that have grown too big, get rid of weeds and pick up litter. They put new plants in the ground, water all the plants and give them special food to help them grow. Gardeners use a lot of equipment in their work such as electrical tools like hedge trimmers and lawn mowers.
Activities
These are some of the things done by gardeners:
- Looking after gardens and other open spaces
- Trimming hedges
- Cutting grass
- Planting seeds
- Taking cuttings to make new plants
- Putting plants in the ground
- Watering plants to help them grow
- Getting rid of weeds and litter
- Building patios, walls and other garden features
- Looking after their tools and equipment
Organisations
Companies that provide gardening services to clients include our local councils, private estates, visitor attractions, universities, and colleges. Many gardeners are also self-employed and do freelance work for a range of different clients.
Workplace
Gardeners work in a range of places from grand gardens to local parks. They sometimes work in greenhouses but spend a lot of their time outdoors in all weathers. It can be very hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It is often wet. Gardeners protect themselves by wearing strong waterproof boots and gardening gloves.
Working Hours
Working hours vary depending on the job. As they need daylight for their outdoor work, gardeners usually do shorter hours in the winter than in the summer.
Salary
New workers start around £8,701. Normal pay is £19,817 per year.
Qualifications
The majority of people employed in this role will hold an intermediate apprenticeship or GCSEs at Grades 9-4 (A-C). Although many roles will require no formal qualifications and experience will be considered. Horticulture qualifications are available at Levels 1, 2 and 3 to help you gain access to this role.
You could also apply for an apprenticeship. If you have an EHCP you may be able to apply under the DfE exemption which allows the apprentice to use Entry Level 3 English and Maths qualifications. The apprentice would have to be competent enough to successfully achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship requirements, become occupationally competent and achieve Entry Level 3 in English and Maths before the end of their apprenticeship.