How to become a Landscape Gardener
Landscape gardeners design and construct garden landscapes or renovate existing gardens. They use a wide range of gardening skills to create a landscape that is aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. Landscape gardeners work at a variety of sites, including public and private parks and gardens, indoor facilities and newly developed housing estates as well as industrial complexes. They may also construct fences, trellises, pergolas, ponds, ferneries, barbecue areas, play structures and garden furniture.
Personal requirements for a Landscape Gardener
- Enjoy practical and manual activities
- Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
- Highly organised and able to solve problems
- Creative
- Able to work safely with chemicals and machinery
- Free from allergies brought on by exposure to chemicals and plants
- Able to work outdoors in all weather conditions
- Observant and methodical.
Duties & Tasks of a Landscape Gardener
Landscape gardeners may perform the following tasks:
- Prepare plans, drawings, specifications and quotations
- Schedule landscape construction
- Prepare areas for landscape construction by analysing sites and clearing debris
- Select, estimate and order materials and plants to create landscapes
- Set out and install 'hardscape' (walls, paths and timber features) and 'softscape' (plants) structures
- Construct or reface steps, garden walls, fences, trellises, pergolas, ponds, fountains and irrigation systems
- Construct and install facilities and features, such as ferneries, barbecues, play structures and garden furniture
- Construct paths, steps and paved areas with paving materials, gravel and timber
- Perform 'formative' (shaping) pruning
- Maintain and repair gardening equipment.
Working conditions for a Landscape Gardener
Landscape gardeners usually work outdoors and in all kinds of weather. They often start early in the morning. Protective clothing must be used when handling fertilisers and pesticides, and to prevent injury while using machinery.
Specializations
Landscape Gardener
Landscape gardeners design and construct garden landscapes or renovate existing gardens. They use a wide range of gardening skills to create a landscape that is aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. Landscape gardeners work at a variety of sites, including public and private parks and gardens, indoor facilities and newly developed housing estates as well as industrial complexes. They may also construct fences, trellises, pergolas, ponds, ferneries, barbecue areas, play structures and garden furniture.
