Pondering the path of a green-thumbed enthusiast? Uncover vital insights prior to embarking on your horticultural journey.
If you've got a green thumb and a passion for plants, becoming a gardener could be your dream job! But, let's get real, it's not all sunshine and roses. It's back-breaking work, often low paying, but it's undeniably rewarding.
So, how do you make the leap to a career in horticulture? Here are some top tips to get you started.
1. Don't sweat the age thing
Gardening is not an ageist profession. Most courses and training programs welcome students from 16 to 60 and beyond, as long as you can demonstrate a commitment to a career in horticulture and a love for the plants.
2. Show off your additional skills
In public gardens, it's not just horticultural skills that are valuable. Employers, colleges, and horticultural institutions welcome applications from all backgrounds. For example, senior gardeners at the National Trust need to keep gardens immaculate and fresh to attract visitors. They also need to be great at planning, presentation, managing others, and working with schools and community groups.
3. Put in some sweat equity
Most employers and top diploma courses prefer evidence of practical gardening experience. If you're new to the scene, try volunteering at places like the National Trust, English Heritage, or local historical gardens, botanical gardens, parks, or gardening societies. Gaining hands-on experience in all kinds of weather will help you decide if gardening is the right gig for you, and it'll look great on your CV when you apply for jobs or further training.
4. Get a qualification (if you're into that sort of thing)
The recognized qualifications across the industry, such as RHS qualifications, BTEC National Diploma, HND, NVQ, and City & Guilds, are a solid starting point for a gardening career. Taking the time to do a course shows your commitment and gives a good grounding in horticulture. Many colleges in the UK offer part-time courses, and some training placements offer these in tandem with hands-on gardening work.
5. Be open to opportunities (and let go of your fixed ideas)
Most training courses and placements cover a broad range of horticultural subjects. So while you might go into your training with a fixed career goal, like head gardener, there are many other options you might not have previously considered, both in gardens and commercially.
Oh, and don't forget to check out our piece on the best horticulture courses! You know, for further reading and whatnot. Good luck, green thumbs!
- Pursuing a career in horticulture might not require a specific age; courses and training programs value commitment and passion for plants, regardless of one's age.
- For public gardens, having additional skills such as planning, presentation, managing others, and working with schools and community groups can set a candidate apart.
- Acquiring practical gardening experience, especially through volunteer work with organizations like the National Trust, English Heritage, or local botanical gardens, parks, or gardening societies, can increase one's chances of securing jobs and further training.
- Obtaining recognized qualifications, such as RHS qualifications, BTEC National Diploma, HND, NVQ, or City & Guilds, can demonstrate commitment and provide a strong foundation for a gardening career.
- Keeping an open mind and being open to various opportunities within the field (e.g., garden design, home-and-garden, lifestyle, and commercial aspects) can broaden one's horizons and lead to unexpected career paths in horticulture.
