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Environment & Nature

Gardener

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

A gardener is someone who looks after gardens, parks, and green spaces. Gardeners plant flowers, trees, and shrubs, as well as mow lawns, trim hedges, and care for plants to keep them healthy and attractive. The job often involves working outdoors in all seasons and using tools like lawnmowers, shears, and spades. Gardeners work for private homes, local councils, botanical gardens, or large estates. Some gardeners are self-employed and manage their own gardening businesses. This career is great for people who enjoy being outside and have an interest in plants and the natural world.

Gardener

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Most gardeners in the UK earn between £18,000 and £30,000 per year, depending on experience and location.

Job Availability

There are over 150,000 people employed in gardening and horticulture roles in the UK.

Working Hours

Gardeners typically work around 37 to 40 hours a week, often outdoors in all weather.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Landscape Gardener

Designs and creates outdoor spaces like gardens, parks, and school grounds, choosing plants and features to make them look attractive.

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Greenhouse Assistant

Helps grow plants in greenhouses, looking after flowers, vegetables, and young plants by watering and caring for them.

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Garden Centre Worker

Works in a garden centre, helping customers choose plants and gardening tools, and taking care of the plants on display.

Learn About Plants and Nature

Explore Local Gardens and Parks

Visit gardens and parks to observe different plants and how they are cared for.

Take notes or pictures of the plants that interest you. Try to identify common trees, flowers, and shrubs. This will help you understand the variety of plants and how they grow in different environments.

Start Gardening at Home or School

Try growing your own plants in pots, a garden bed, or at a school garden club.

Begin with easy plants such as sunflowers or tomatoes. Keep a diary of how you look after them, including watering and feeding schedules. This hands-on experience is a great introduction to gardening.

Gain Knowledge and Skills

Take Gardening or Horticulture Classes

Join a gardening club or take classes in horticulture at school or in the community.

Many schools and local community centres offer gardening workshops. These can teach you about soil, composting, plant care, and garden design. Look for online courses or resources as well.

Volunteer to Help in Gardens

Offer to help at local parks, gardens, or community projects.

Volunteering will give you practical experience and help you learn from experienced gardeners. It also builds teamwork and responsibility, which are useful for a gardening career.

Pursue Qualifications and Experience

Study Horticulture or Gardening

Consider enrolling in a horticulture course at college when you are older.

After finishing school, you can take a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture or a similar subject at a further education college. These courses teach more advanced skills and can lead to jobs or apprenticeships.

Apply for Apprenticeships or Work Experience

Look for apprenticeships or entry-level jobs with gardening companies or local councils.

An apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn, working alongside professionals. You can also gain valuable experience from summer jobs or part-time work in nurseries, parks, or garden centres.

🎬 Useful Videos

Expert Film: This is Lewis George, who works as the Horticultural Engagement Officer at the RHS. Lewis talks about sustainable fisheries.
1:45
Expert

Expert Film: This is Lewis George, who works as the Horticultural Engagement Officer at the RHS. Lewis talks about sustainable fisheries.

over 1 year ago

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Gardener. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by a professional body

College

You could do a course in gardening or horticulture to learn some of the skills and knowledge you need.

Courses include:

  • Level 1 Certificate in Horticulture Skills
  • Level 2 Diploma in Practical Horticultural Skills
  • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a:

  • Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Landscape or Horticulture Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Horticulture and Landscaping Technical Manager Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You might find it helpful when looking for work if you have some practical experience, for instance from working in a garden centre.

You could also start as an assistant gardener with an organisation and work your way up.

Volunteering

Many organisations offer volunteering opportunities, for example:

You'll also find volunteering placements through Do IT and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs. Employers value work experience and skills in gardening. Horticultural knowledge and enthusiasm are also important.

Other Routes

You can take a course with The Royal Horticultural Society to learn more about gardening or complete a qualification that may help you to get a job.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a gardener from:

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