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What It Takes to be a Landscaper

If you have green fingers and would like to work outdoors, the job of landscaper might be the perfect fit for you. While it provides for enough creativity and flexibility, there are some pitfalls to pay attention to. Keep reading and find out what it takes to be a landscaper and how one could find the relevant job.

What Do Landscapers Do?

Putting it simply, landscapers are responsible for planning and maintaining green areas—parks, gardens, etc.—both outdoors and indoors. What does that mean in practice?

For starters, landscapers work with their clients and talk through what they expect to be done—from how much place will a green area occupy to how many plants of a specific type will grow there. Then, the management part plays a great role—including ordering supplies and communicating with designers and/or architects when necessary.

The creative part of the job per se is pertinent to working with plants and soil—that is, planting and seeding the green area—and installing decorations such as bridges, paving, fountains, rock sculptures, etc. Finally, landscapers are responsible for maintaining parks and gardens: they advise on how to take care of dead plants and overgrown grass, how to replace decorative elements, and so on.

What Does It Take to Be a Landscaper?

As in any such field, entry into landscaping requires either relevant education (formal or informal) or prior experience, usually gained though apprenticeship.

You could, for instance, take up a course in horticulture industries or practical horticulture or obtain a diploma in agriculture. Alternatively, you could apply for courses offered by the Royal Horticultural Society, or even ask employers for a job directly—although they would certainly expect you to have some experience or relevant qualifications.

Apprenticeship is another way of getting an entry ticket to landscaping. You could become an apprentice to a landscape supervisor or a horticulture specialist who will help you gain practical skills necessary to jumpstart a career in the field. This, however, requires determination and does not guarantee you’ll be taken up immediately, so be patient.

As per skills, a landscaper is expected to be physically fit, willing to work both indoors and (mostly) outdoors in any weather, be apt with greens, and have basic computer literacy. Since the job requires dealing with some managerial and organisational issues, you should also be geared up to work with other people, know how to remain calm in stressful situations, and pay attention to detail.

How Does One Become a Landscaper?

Assuming you’ve done your homework and have the necessary skills and qualifications, you should decide who you’d like to work with.

Usually, landscapers are hired by town councils, firms, or individuals for temporary work. In larger companies, you could expect to be promoted to a management or supervisory position. Later, when you’ve got enough experience under your belt, you could start working as a self-employed contractor—or take up teaching and mentor would-be landscapers yourself!

Anyway, if you feel like you’re cut out for landscaping and would seriously consider pursuing such a career, there are a number of job opportunities that could easily be found online.