A landscaper creates beautiful gardens and open spaces using an expert understanding of mathematics, science, creativity, and horticulture. By their design, or under instruction from a landscape architect or customer, they design water features, pathways, and foliage for homes, parks, and businesses. If you’re someone who doesn’t want to work a conventional office job, then becoming a landscaper is a great way to earn a living and be outdoors in nature.
Becoming a landscaper is excellent if you love the outdoors, show attention to detail, can be creative, have an interest in horticulture, and have a good fitness level. If you’re set on this career path, here is some advice on getting started.
Education and Training
You don’t officially need a formal education to become a landscaper, especially when experience accounts for more. Still, training can advance your career and make you stand out to clients. If you would like to receive some training, then you could consider volunteering. Reach out to organizations like the National Trust, Woodland Trust, or even your local council.
Alternatively, consider a college course, such as a Diploma in Horticulture. A qualification from the Royal Horticultural Society is highly respected in the horticulture industry, so you will have access to up-to-date horticultural information and the opportunity to develop crucial practical skills.
If college isn’t for you, you could look to doing an apprenticeship. These are good options because they provide training on the job and can often result in a permanent position once your training has finished. Make sure your apprenticeship teaches you how to understand the environment, the basics of horticulture, and how to understand garden drawings. Otherwise, you’re in a strong position to pursue self-employment or find a full-time job.
Set Up Your Own Business
It can be exciting to set up your own business, which you would usually do on a sole trader basis. This is where any experience and contacts you obtain during your training or volunteering will benefit you. One of the benefits of being self-employed is that you get to work on several different projects, so you gain lots of experience quite quickly.
A crucial part of being a self-employed landscaper is knowing where you can access all the tools you need, so do your research to find your nearest landscaping supply store. Additionally, advertise your business locally and on social media, and be sure to create a website. Ask happy clients to recommend you to friends, colleagues, and family, or leave a positive review when you start getting work on your website and social media.
Go Digital
If you are tech-savvy, you could share your work process and results on social media. Platforms such as Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok are fantastic ways to spread the word about your business, create engagement and find clients. There is a big part of the internet that loves everything about interior design, home renovations, garden transformations, and learning about gardening. Find your niche and watch your land
