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Gardener

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Gardener Career Details

Gardeners grow and tend plants in public parks, private gardens and areas around shopping centres, schools, large offices and similar buildings. They may also be involved in garden design and gardening construction.

Gardening tasks include sowing and raising plants, pruning, weeding, mowing and tidying pathways. This will involve using hand tools, such as spades, shears and saws, and mechanical tools, such as rotavators and ride-on mowers.

Some gardeners perform basic building tasks such as erecting sheds, and help with the upkeep of garden machinery. In public and historic gardens they may have to answer enquiries from members of the public.

Working Environment

Gardeners who work for local authorities work a 36 or 37-hour week. Overtime, weekend and part-time work is available, particularly during busy times. Self-employed gardeners set their own hours.

Most of the work is outdoors, in most weather conditions. A certain amount of flexibility may be required, as work is often disrupted by the weather. For some jobs safety equipment such as gloves, eye protectors and a hard hat will need to be worn. Gardening can be a very strenuous profession requiring lifting, digging and carrying.

A driving licence is needed for self-employed gardeners.

Gardener Related Skills

To be a gardener, you should:

have an interest in plants and nature
enjoy working outdoors in most weathers
have a good level of strength and fitness
be creative and have an eye for detail
have good commercial sense if self-employed.

Gardener Career Opportunities

There are nearly 90,000 gardeners in the UK, employed by local authorities, private companies or private households.

Voluntary sector organisations such as the National Trust, the Royal Parks and botanical gardens are large employers. Some gardeners also work for garden centres. Self-employment prospects are good.

Further Career Information

If you would like to know more about a career as an Gardener related facts, statistics, articles and websites.

Career Steps

Not quite sure about a career as a Gardener? Try our step-by-step career guide to reaching your chosen career.

Career Courses

Not quite qualified to be a Gardener? Take a look at Adult learning Gardener courses, our course browses or use our search form and find courses which will help you on your chosen career path.

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