Gardener and Groundskeeper
Gardeners and groundskeepers are outdoor maintenance specialists responsible for the upkeep and aesthetic presentation of various properties, including residential, commercial, and public spaces. Their tasks often overlap, with groundskeepers focusing on the overall maintenance, such as snow removal or cleaning pools, while gardeners concentrate on plant care and garden upkeep. These roles are physically demanding and require a range of skills, including attention to detail and problem-solving abilities. Employment opportunities often arise in diverse settings such as college campuses, amusement parks, and cemeteries.
To enter this field, a high school diploma is typically sufficient, although vocational training in horticulture or landscaping can enhance job prospects. While many learn on the job, further education can provide additional advantages for career advancement. The work environment is variable, influenced by seasonal changes and weather conditions, which can affect the scheduling and types of tasks performed. Overall, those drawn to gardening and groundskeeping often appreciate working outdoors and maintaining beautiful, well-manicured environments.
Gardener and Groundskeeper
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, Architecture & Construction
Interests: Environment, working outdoors, working with your hands
Earnings (Yearly Median): $37,690 per year $18.12 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 3% (As fast as average)
Entry-Level Education No formal education requirement
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job Training Short-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. As outdoor maintenance specialists, gardeners and groundskeepers usually perform similar tasks, such as pruning trees and shrubs, maintaining flowerbeds, and picking up litter. These titles are often interchangeable; however, some employers distinguish between their responsibilities. Groundskeepers tend to be responsible for the overall maintenance of a property, which means they might shovel snow, sweep tennis courts, clean swimming pools, or, if employed by an athletic organization, maintain synthetic turf. Gardeners might focus strictly on caring for plants and maintaining a variety of different types of gardens.
Work Environment. Gardeners and groundskeepers are employed in residential, government, commercial, and industrial settings, including college campuses, athletic stadiums, apartment complexes, museums and public gardens, amusement parks, and cemeteries. They work alone, with assistants, or with a large crew. Many of these jobs are seasonal or part-time, with hours that depend on weather conditions. For example, lawn work is usually not performed in rainy or wet conditions, while significant snowfall necessitates rapid snow removal.
Occupation Interest. People who are interested in gardening and groundskeeping enjoy being outside and value a well-manicured environment. They are physically fit and able to handle many different responsibilities. Successful gardeners and groundskeepers have the ability to follow a schedule, solve problems, and attend to details, as well as the larger landscape.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The outdoor work performed by gardeners and groundskeepers usually depends greatly on the regional climate of their place of employment. Cold-weather tasks might involve shoveling snow and plowing parking lots, tending to plants in a privately owned greenhouse, and performing indoor jobs, such as sharpening and cleaning tools or building wooden trellises.
Springtime tends to be a busy time. During these months, groundskeepers commonly paint and repair outdoor furniture, edge sidewalks and flower beds, lay sod, clean fountains, and maintain lawns, including fertilizing, aerating, and mowing. Gardening responsibilities include weeding, raking debris from flowerbeds, pruning shrubs and trees, adding compost to soil, and planting bushes, trees, and flowers.
During hot periods, gardeners and groundskeepers usually give special attention to irrigation or watering systems. Weeding, mowing, deadheading flowers, transplanting plants, and applying fertilizer and pesticides occupy much of the time for many workers. Winter preparations may include raking leaves, putting away outdoor furniture, cleaning gardens, and additional weeding and pruning.
Gardeners and groundskeepers also handle a variety of paperwork, maintain inventories, purchase supplies and tools, and study gardening catalogs and manuals. Some employers may require additional tasks. Groundskeepers employed by cemeteries also dig graves and prepare for funerals. Those responsible for athletic stadiums also spray paint lines, names, and numbers on the turf in preparation for games.
Landscape Laborers (408.687-014). Landscape Laborers assist landscape gardeners by moving soil, equipment and materials, digging holes, and performing related duties.
Yard Workers (301.687-018). Yard Workers perform a combination of maintenance duties to keep the grounds of private residences in neat and orderly condition.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The work performed by gardeners and groundskeepers is physically demanding, as it involves much walking, bending, pushing, and heavy lifting. It is especially hard on the back, hands, and knees. The use of ladders and power tools puts workers at risk for injuries. Other occupational hazards are related to sun exposure, insects, and toxic chemicals like pesticides and herbicides. Gardeners and groundskeepers are also exposed to variable weather conditions throughout the year.
Human Environment. Unless self-employed, a gardener or groundskeeper usually reports to a maintenance supervisor and may work closely with that person until they gain enough experience to work independently. Some gardeners and groundskeepers might supervise part-time or temporary workers. While some work alone, others interact regularly with horticulturalists, botanists, landscape architects, and other professionals.
Technological Environment. Gardeners and groundskeepers use many hand and power tools, including electric clippers, chainsaws, and lawnmowers. They may drive riding mowers, golf carts, tractors, or trucks. They use smartphones and may use two-way radios to communicate with coworkers. Some gardeners and groundskeepers also use a computer to conduct research on plants or herbicides and maintain schedules. Global positioning systems may be used to track tasks such as hours spent mowing to ensure equipment is regularly maintained.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. A high school diploma is usually sufficient for gardening and groundskeeping jobs; however, some employers require postsecondary training as well. A vocational program in agriculture, horticulture, or landscaping can prepare students for hire directly after high school. Courses of prime importance include botany, biology, chemistry, and earth sciences. Art courses may help future gardeners design pleasing flowerbeds. Students should also consider volunteer or part-time jobs in horticultural or agricultural businesses as well as participating in relevant extracurricular programs, such as 4-H clubs.
Postsecondary. While gardeners and groundskeepers traditionally learn their skills on the job, a postsecondary certificate or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree can give job seekers an advantage, allow for more flexibility in job duties, and provide a foundation for future advancement. Relevant programs include landscaping, botany, horticulture, ecology, agriculture, and turfgrass science. Those who envision establishing their own businesses might want to consider a degree in business as well. Gardeners and groundskeepers who are applying pesticides and fertilizer may need to obtain certification.
A pesticide license is also required in most states.
Related Occupations
− Florist
− Janitor
Bibliography
"Grounds Maintenance Workers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/building-and-grounds-cleaning/grounds-maintenance-workers.htm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 37-3011 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers." US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes373011.htm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.