A professional gardener’s daily job duties will vary depending on the type of gardening he or she does and the season of the year. Professional gardeners come in a variety of shapes and sizes; some grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs for sale, while others raise flowers, shrubs, and trees. Some will work as landscapers or professional groundskeepers, maintaining the appearance of outdoor areas near retail or hospitality establishments, professional buildings, or municipal areas, among other things. To become a professional gardener, no specific education is required, though some will study horticulture, silviculture, or botany, depending on their career goals.
In many cases, a professional gardener will tend to his or her own garden, raising products that she can then sell to distributors or at farmer’s markets on her own. On a larger scale, this would be considered agriculture, but on a smaller scale, it could simply be considered professional gardening. They can grow a wide range of vegetables, fruits, and herbs to sell, depending on where they live and the growing season in that location.
Another type of professional gardener raises plants for the purpose of selling them, such as in a greenhouse. In some cases, this may entail growing a wide variety of flowers, shrubs, and even trees. They can sell their products either through a distributor or on their own. Both of these types of professional gardeners must have a broad understanding of topics such as the different types of soil, drainage, and nutrients needed to grow healthy plants, as well as how to avoid plant diseases and pests from destroying their crops. Organic gardeners need even more specific knowledge about how to grow plants without using chemicals.
In other cases, a professional gardener will work to maintain lawns and gardens at various locations rather than raising plants on his or her own. This person will maintain the appearance of an outdoor area based on the needs of the client, similar to landscaping or groundskeeping. The gardener will carry out this task based on his or her own knowledge of how to grow healthy plants and which plants thrive in close proximity to others. Working as a professional gardener can be a great career path for people who enjoy doing hands-on work and spending most of their time outside.