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Gardener

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Primary Secondary Post-16

A gardener is responsible for planting, cultivating, and maintaining gardens, parks, and other green spaces. Typical duties include mowing lawns, trimming hedges, planting flowers, shrubs, and trees, as well as designing garden layouts. Gardeners may work for private clients, local councils, heritage sites, or landscape companies. The role often involves working outdoors in all weather conditions and can require both manual labour and creative design skills. Many gardeners specialise in areas such as organic gardening, historic garden restoration, or landscape design. Some may also offer consultancy or garden planning services. Training is usually on the job, but formal qualifications in horticulture can be advantageous.

Gardener

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

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

Job Openings

There are around 13,000 job postings for gardeners and grounds maintenance workers annually in the UK.

Sector Employment

About 150,000 people are employed in gardening and grounds maintenance roles across the UK.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Horticultural Technician

Specialises in the cultivation, propagation, and care of plants in nurseries, greenhouses, or botanical gardens, often using scientific techniques to promote healthy growth.

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Landscape Gardener

Designs, constructs, and maintains outdoor spaces such as gardens, parks, and estates, often working with both plants and landscaping materials like paving and water features.

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Garden Designer

Creates detailed plans and layouts for private and public gardens, focusing on aesthetics, plant selection, and sustainable practices to meet clients' specific needs.

Gain Foundational Knowledge and Experience

Learn Basic Gardening Skills

Start by learning the fundamentals of gardening such as planting, watering, pruning, and soil management.

You can start by volunteering at local community gardens or helping friends and family with their gardens. There are also many online resources and books available to help you understand the basics. Consider watching tutorials or attending local classes to develop your practical skills.

Gain Practical Work Experience

Get hands-on experience by working or volunteering in gardens, parks, or garden centres.

Look for entry-level positions such as assistant gardener or groundskeeper. Volunteering with local charities or organisations that maintain public green spaces can also provide valuable experience and help you build a network within the industry.

Pursue Relevant Qualifications

Study Horticulture or Gardening

Undertake a recognised course or apprenticeship in horticulture or gardening.

Colleges across the UK offer courses such as Level 2 or Level 3 Diplomas in Horticulture, Garden Design, or similar subjects. Apprenticeships are also available and combine on-the-job training with study. These qualifications can improve your employment prospects and develop your knowledge further.

Gain Specialist Knowledge

Consider specialising in areas such as landscaping, organic gardening, or plant care.

You may wish to take additional short courses or workshops on topics like pest management, sustainable gardening, or landscape design. This can help you stand out and offer specific services that are in demand.

Develop Your Career

Find Employment or Start Your Own Business

Apply for jobs with landscaping companies, local councils, or start your own gardening business.

Update your CV to reflect your skills and experiences. If starting your own business, research the regulations and requirements for self-employment in the UK, such as insurance and equipment needs. Building a portfolio of your work and gathering testimonials can help attract clients.

Continue Professional Development

Stay up to date with new gardening techniques and industry trends.

Join professional organisations such as the Royal Horticultural Society or attend gardening shows and workshops. Continuing to learn and develop your skills will help you progress in your career and keep your knowledge current.

🎬 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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