There are numerous employment opportunities in the landscape sector. People in this region place high importance on the outdoors and strive to make their outside spaces as lovely as possible. The landscaping industry is a people-oriented sector. Those new to the profession work in groups, or crews, to complete important duties. Landscapers work on everything from homes and businesses to parks and government buildings to develop and maintain outside settings. Landscapers make exteriors more appealing and inviting by applying their understanding of horticulture, math, science, and landscaping. However, the issue remains: how do you make a career out as a landscaper?
If you want to build a profession out of landscaping, it is important you first identify and then follow the appropriate landscaping career paths.
You can make a career out of landscaping by Earning a Degree or Certificate, Learning a range of skills, exploring career Options, Applying for an apprenticeship, Considering a trade school or degree, Checking licensing requirements, Earning certifications, and Starting your professional career.
People aspiring to make a career out of landscaping learn and develop many of their skills by watching, learning, and doing while on the job. Here are seven well-detailed steps you can take to make a career as a landscaper:
Earn a Degree or Certificate
Landscape technology, sometimes known as ornamental horticulture, is taught in many public universities and offers degree and certificate programs. Most college programs last two years and result in an associate’s degree for graduates. Students learn how to develop landscape layouts, maintain landscapes, and pick plants, in addition to learning the science and mathematics of landscaping. Horticulture, landscape design, chemistry, and business are all common courses.
There are certificate programs that can be completed in a year or less. These programs are a good option for those who want a shorter program or to improve their current knowledge and skills.
Learn a range of skills
Joining a landscaping or gardening group to learn how to plant, handle tools, and operate machines is a good idea. Check with your state department of agriculture to see whether your local community colleges or extension services offer continuing education classes.
Finding landscaping jobs might be as simple as volunteering at a community or botanical garden or joining a gardening club. You may learn more about different forms of landscaping by altering your experiences. This will help you determine which career choices you prefer best and where your skills are.
Explore Career Options
Students with a landscape technology degree have a variety of professional options. Landscape technology graduates have the background needed to pursue bachelor’s degrees and careers in landscape design.
Apply for an apprenticeship
Local nurseries and landscaping businesses may be able to advise you on where to apply for an apprenticeship or provide you with possibilities to apply. Consider inquiring about the company’s mentoring or apprenticeship programs, then contacting the appropriate person and submitting your application.
Apprenticeships give on-the-job training and experience that can lead to a permanent career or the skills you need to pursue a full-time, paid job. Select an apprenticeship program that will teach you skills such as:
- Gardening diagrams to comprehend
- Recognizing the environment
- Keeping track of tasks and sticking to deadlines
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Consider a trade school or degree
A trade school may offer an associate degree or certificate in gardening, landscaping, or starting your own landscaping business. A bachelor’s degree is the next stage for those who want to advance or expand their careers. The following topics are covered in trade schools and degree programs:
- Landscaping as a career
- Specialties in landscaping
- Market for landscaping
- Botany fundamentals
- Common plant tissues
- Landscapes that are friendly to the environment
- determining the demands of clients
- Planting and caring for turf, as well as common turf issues
- Trees and bedding plants are planted and maintained.
- Certifications in the industry
Check licensing requirements
Landscapers must be licensed in each state. Installing irrigation systems, applying pesticides, and operating particular machinery may require a license in some areas. Find out what your state’s licensing requirements are, as well as how to keep your license current, by contacting your state’s licensing office.
Earn certifications
Consider obtaining certifications to improve your chances of making a living as a landscaper. Look for available certifications through the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) or the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). Check with your local chapter or group to see if there are any opportunities in your area. Certification might take anywhere from six to 10 weeks, depending on the course. The following certificates are available:
- Groundskeeper with certification
- Technician in lawn care certification
- Golf irrigation auditing certification
- The layout of water-based systems
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Start your professional career
You can buy your tools, advertise your trade, and enhance your talents to expand your services after you’ve made a career out of landscaping. Some certification or degree programs include classes that are designed to help you establish your career. If this is the path you want to take, get to know the specifics of a landscaping firm, such as:
- Organizing your business
- Market research
- Requirements for obtaining a license
- Management of a company
- Communication with the client
- Licensing \sLiability
- Insurance
- Compensation for employees
- Breakdowns of taxes
- Boards of directors
List of careers in landscaping
Arborist
Arborists are experts in all things tree-related. They work with trees in various methods, including planting and transplanting trees, assessing tree health, and employing various equipment to sustain trees. They can also play a more consultative role by supervising tree crews and contractors and advising farmers and landowners on best practices for tree health and soil erosion prevention.
Lawn care specialist
lawn care specialists work for themselves or companies to maintain yards and other grass areas. Their key responsibilities include sowing, mowing, and fertilizing the lawn, pruning hedges and trees, and completing routine project check-ups. They look after the aesthetics of their client’s green space.
Mason
Masons shape rocks for the construction industry with various equipment and procedures. Landscapers typically hire them to complete the hardscape elements of a landscaping project. Cutting, dressing, and shaping materials lifting, carrying, preparing blocks, and mixing cement and mortars are among the jobs they do. They can take up the duty of training apprentices once they have obtained certification as a journeyperson.
Irrigation technician
Irrigation experts work in the home and commercial settings, designing and installing irrigation systems. They inspect, audit, and alter the irrigation system to ensure optimal operation. Irrigation technicians learn about new advances in smart watering systems as new technologies arise. Landscapers hire them to assist with installing and maintaining irrigation systems for landscaping projects.
Drafter
Drafters specialize in creating 3D models, blueprints, and drawings for various tasks, including landscaping projects, utilizing computer-aided design (CAD) software. They usually begin by determining the needs of the landscaping client, specifying the materials to be utilized, computing mathematical calculations, and finally creating the models. They then make changes until the customer and other stakeholders are satisfied with the plans, which may require the zoning commissioner’s approval.
Machine Operator
Machine operators work with large machinery and ensure that it runs smoothly and safely. Landscapers frequently hire machine operators to prepare the ground for landscaping with the necessary heavy equipment. Machine operators are also in charge of training and supervising other personnel who use the machinery, as well as the machines’ and operators’ safety, and reporting any safety issues.
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Skills for successful landscapers
Landscapers have a wide range of skills that help them create landscapes, implement ideas, and communicate with clients. Some abilities are specific to work, while others are transferable to other jobs or roles. Landscapers’ most prevalent abilities are:
Physical strength
Landscaping is a physically demanding job that necessitates good health. Landscapers must bend, lift, dig, and shovel a lot of dirt. Landscapers benefit from a combination of strength, skill, and overall flexibility. Moving heavy equipment or debris and using power tools are common aspects of the job. Landscapers frequently use tools such as:
- Chainsaws
- leaf Blowers
- Blowers for snow
- Lawnmowers, both push and ride-on
- weed trimmers
Safety consciousness
Landscapers are concerned about their safety and make efforts to avoid accidents. Wearing safety equipment, such as helmets or goggles, or assuring complete knowledge of the equipment before the landscaper or their staff attempts to operate it are examples.
Organization
Landscapers set the tone for a project and ensure it is completed on time. Regardless of the size of the project, landscapers keep meticulous records in the best interests of the client and the company.
Attention to detail
Landscapers are visual artists who are known for their meticulous attention to detail. They must be aware of color coordination, the optimum curve of a walkway, and managing proper irrigation settings.
Critical thinking
Landscapers are problem solvers who think critically and creatively. They consult with other landscape or groundskeeper professionals to appraise projects and discover ways to implement their ideas.
Communication
Landscapers deal with a wide range of personalities and job functions, allowing them to communicate well with people from many walks of life. Landscapers are skilled in communicating with clients, coworkers, and officials, whether business owners, homeowners, or government officials.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is landscaping a low-paid job?
No, landscaping is not a low-paid job. A landscape operative’s salary is usually between $15 to $20,000, but this is only the beginning. This value can swiftly rise with experience, qualifications, and the role’s duties and earning potential. Those who have a good attitude, are committed, and work hard will be given possibilities for advancement in their landscaping profession, just like they would in any other field. In landscaping, there is potential to advance to supervisor, project manager, or even partner. If you decide to work as a landscaper for yourself, you may be able to earn even more money.
Do landscapers have to work long hours?
Not any more than many other occupations. Landscapers work Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with overtime if the project is behind schedule.
To learn more on how you can start your own landscaping business, check out my startup documents here.
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Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Landscape Business Fan.
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a landscape business owner at a job site, driving down the road or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Landscaping Business Boss: I want to help landscape business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.