Gardening Services
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If you have a passion for pruning, a knack for keeping things neat, and you miss trimming your mother's flowers with kitchen shears as a child, then you should consider a career in gardening services. Professional gardening service companies install and maintain landscapes and gardens at homes, offices, parks, and malls.
 
People enjoy having well kept and tidy looking lawns and gardens, and professional gardeners can help them create and maintain their home's curb appeal. Flowers, bushes and small trees are just a few of the elements that professional gardeners use to create landscapes that attract and inspire. Designing and installing gardens allows you to express your creative flare!
 
Although some climates have snowy winter months, gardening professionals are at work year round. In fact, many professional gardeners specialize in holiday decorating.


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  • Curb appeal (what someone sees when they drive by a house) is very important to both buyers and sellers – it's estimated that well kept trees and gardens can increase a home's value by as much as 15%.

  • Texas A&M University researchers found that women had more innovative ideas and solutions to problems when flowers were nearby.

  • Views of plants increase positive feelings and reduce fear and anger.



Crew Member

Duties:
  • Rake properties, mulch gardens and adjust soils
  • Plant bulbs, flowers, shrubs and small trees
  • Swap out plant containers and flower beds seasonally (each spring, summer, fall and winter)
  • Manage sites by fertilizing, watering, weeding, pruning, and cultivating
  • Arrange winter decorations, including holiday lights, wreaths and garlands
Education:
  • High school education preferred
  • Two-year technical college certificate a bonus
  • Training and certification provided by employer, but experience is helpful
Pay:
  • Seasonal positions: $10 to $32 per hour
  • Full-time, year-round positions: $20,000 to $135,000 per year (plus benefits)
Foreman

Duties:
  • Direct and/or perform plant maintenance, pest control, and soil tests
  • Provide work direction and training to employees
  • Act as account manager for specified clients, and designer for specified gardens
  • Maintain records and paperwork
  • Manage plant inventory
  • Assist in ordering tools and materials
  • Direct and perform loading of vehicles with appropriate tools and products
  • Ensure projects stay within the budget
  • Coordinate with designer to ensure work is performed as planned
Education:
  • High school diploma
  • Two-year technical college certificate a bonus
  • Training and certification provided by employer, but experience is helpful
Pay:
  • Seasonal positions: $10 to $32 per hour
  • Full-time, year-round positions: $20,000 to $135,000 per year (plus benefits)
Garden Designer

Duties:
  • Assist sales staff and owner in generating new business
  • Consult with prospective clients
  • Present designs and estimates to clients
  • Perform as the lead account manager
  • Manage inventory by acting as a purchasing agent
  • Coordinate with project manager to ensure work is being performed as planned
Education:
  • High school diploma
  • Two-year technical college certificate in horticulture
  • Four-year college degree in landscape design encouraged
  • Prior field and design experience
Pay:
  • Seasonal positions: $10 to $32 per hour
  • Full-time, year-round positions: $20,000 to $135,000 per year (plus benefits)
Additional Career Possibilities
Salesperson or Marketing Specialist
Interiorscaping (Indoor Gardening)
Production Scheduler
Quality Control Specialist
Customer Service
Business Owner









AmericanHort AAHS National Association of Landscape Professionals