Gardener
Career outlook for gardener
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£19,500
£19,500
Experienced
£26,000
£26,000
Currently employed in Scotland
8,800
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would look after a garden or other green spaces like public parks, school and sports grounds so people can enjoy them all year round.
You’d grow and care for all types of plants like flowers, trees, shrubs and lawns.
You would:
- Raise plants from seeds or cuttings
- Dig, plant and weed flower beds and borders
- Prune shrubs
- Check the health of plants by identifying any pests or diseases and controlling them
- Give plants food and water
- Use machinery such as lawn mowers, rotovators and hedge trimmers
- Maintain high levels of presentation in public parks and gardens
- Clean and maintain tools and equipment
You could also design planting schemes for gardens. You’d use your knowledge of plants and creativity to select plants and position them so there’s something to see in the garden all year round.
You may also carry out basic building tasks, such as putting up sheds and building walls, fences and patios.
There are many different types of gardens you could work in, such as:
- Private gardens
- Green spaces around buildings
- Street plant displays
- Public parks and community gardens
- Botanical gardens like the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
- Historical gardens such as Inverewe Gardens in The Highlands or at heritage sites like Culzean Castle in Ayrshire
If you work in a garden that is open to the public you might also answer questions from visitors or lead garden walks.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
36%
Part-time
17%
Self employed
47%
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- Building relationships
- Verbal communication
- Creative
- Respecting
- Attention to detail
- Developing a plan
- Taking initiative
- Time management
- Taking responsibility
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Qualifications
There are no set qualifications to enter this job but some employers ask for a good general education (usually SCQF level 4).
To enter a relevant Scottish Vocational Qualification such as Horticulture (SVQ level 2/3) may require qualifications at SCQF level 4-5.
You may also be able to do a Modern Apprenticeship.
Useful subjects
- Maths
- English
- Practical subjects, such as practical woodwork
- Biology
- Environmental science
Helpful to have
- Qualifications and experience that show practical skills and an understanding of the natural environment such as Skills for Work Rural Skills (SCQF level 4) or the John Muir Award
- Business and enterprise related subjects such as SQA Enterprise and Employability Award (SCQF level 4/5) may also be of value as many gardners are self-employed.
- Previous work experience