Professional Gardener – How To Become One

Are you good at gardening? Do you want to do it as a profession? Are you wondering how to become a professional gardener? Well, if these are some of the questions you have been asking yourself, you are in the right place.

Although there are not any formal qualifications needed to become a gardener and offer garden services, you will find it easier if you gain some training, experience, and education. Below are some different ways to become a gardener.

1. Apprenticeship

Becoming an apprentice or seeking an apprenticeship is a great way to become a professional gardener. You can achieve this by getting a landscape or horticulture operative. It is important to note that some colleges offer apprenticeships, which is an excellent way to allow candidates to gain specific skills like growing different crops, designing different gardens, and how to help plants stay healthy. You can also get apprenticeships at professional bodies that specialize in gardening. A good example is the Royal Horticulture Society. The entry requirement for a horticulture apprenticeship generally includes some GCSE qualifications like at least a C in Math and English.

2. Enrolling In A University Course

You can become a professional gardener by enrolling in a university gardening course or any other related subject. Many aspiring professional gardeners take courses that involve the safe usage of gardening machinery, growing different types of plants, and identifying plants. In fact, many universities offer horticulture courses, which are the art and science of growing plants.

Therefore, you can prefer to take classes or modules about specialized subjects like historic gardens to trending options. The courses may include the following:

• Level 1 Certification In Horticulture Skills
• Level 2 Diploma In Horticulture And Amenity Horticulture
• Level 3 Certificate In Practical Horticulture

To apply for any university courses, you need one or more GCSEs. The number and requirements will depend on the specific course you would like to take.

3. Courses Offered By Professional Bodies

Some professional bodies prefer giving out courses to people. These professional bodies will teach plant growth, planning, health, and anything else related.

4. Through Experience

You can become a professional gardener through experience. You can achieve this by offering or applying for level-entry or volunteer positions. The National Trust and Conservation Volunteers have open volunteer positions often for gardening, conservation, and horticulture positions. You can apply for an entry-level professional gardener.

5. Direct Application

You can also become a professional gardener by simply applying directly. All that is needed is gardening skills and knowledge. With this option, all you have to do is check for job postings, requirements, and qualifications; and then apply.

The Gardening Skills Needed

If you want to be a professional gardener, you will need to develop these skills:

• Creativity – It is the job of a gardener to design and built the aesthetic of the garden. This means that the gardener needs to understand how to create gardens that are not only attractive but meets the needs of the client.
• Patience – Remember, plants take longer to grow. As such a gardener must be patient and allow the plant to grow.
• Basic technology skills – Of course, a gardener must have basic skills when it comes to technology. That is because today there are many gardening tools and equipment to aid in the business.
• Attention to detail – A gardener must have excellent observation skills. In other words, they should be in a position to notice minor details about plants.
• Organization – The chances are; that a professional gardener will have to deal with multiple clients. This means that they need to balance everything, and this demands an understanding of the organization.