Can anyone be a gardener? It’s a question you may ask yourself when you are looking for a new career. And in short, not everyone can be a gardener. It is not a job or profession suited for everyone. And it is important you have a certain level of interest in gardening and outdoor works too. As a gardener does not stop in the rain!
Find out more here on what it takes to be a gardener, and why it would not be suited for everyone.
Manual Labour
Firstly, let’s look at the actual job of a gardener. It is manually very heavy work! This is not a job suited for someone who enjoys sitting in a comfortable office all day. Gardeners need to enjoy and be able to do heavy, hard work. Although there might be some tools and machinery you will use in your gardening job. There is still a lot of stuff you will have to do you yourself. Do you not mind heavy lifting? Dragging treetrunks around? Being in a kneeling position when planting new flowers? Bending over a lot to lift up heavy items? If that all sounds like things you enjoy, then great!
But besides the fact of whether you may enjoy it or not, physically it is not for everyone. If you are not fit and healthy, it will cost you a lot more effort to do the same job a stronger, fitter gardener could do. So as a gardener it is crucial to stay on top of your health. If you have a bad back, for example, it will become really difficult to complete your daily tasks. So that is a big first thing to take into account.
Outdoors At Any Weather
Do you not mind being outside when it is cold, raining on snowing? That’s good! As a gardener’s job does not wait for a rainstorm to pass, for example. Come rain or shine, a gardener is out getting stuck in. And that is definitely not for anyone. Are you a naturally outdoors-loving person? Do you not mind the cold, wind, and getting wet? And working early morning, or in the dark? Then yes, gardening might be for you.
However, working in all weathers is definitely not for everyone! And there is nothing wrong with that. It is important that you are honest with yourself and know what you can and cannot do. You don’t want to commit to something that you won’t be able to keep up with. As this is not fair on a potential employer. Nor is it helpful for you, as you would have to start a new job search all over again.
Knowledge & Skills
Whereas the two above areas talk more about the practical side of what it means to be a gardener, there are of course also certain skills you need to have to be able to work as a gardener.
Officially, in the UK you do not need any formal qualifications to start working as a gardener. It is, however, advised to undertake a suited qualification or training just to get you started. You can start with a BTEC or NVQ in gardening or horticulture as this will give you a solid first level of skills and knowledge in the gardening industry. It will also give you the opportunity to start a first job as a junior gardener. Whether this is within a private household working alongside a senior gardener, or in a more public sector set up.
Another great way to get started is to get a gardening apprenticeship. This way you can learn on the job – something that many people prefer doing! So you get paid for work you will be doing, whilst you are learning on the job and sometimes also completing a qualification. It is a great way if you want to combine work with learning, and giving your gardening career a kick start to really find out if this is the right career path for you!
How can Polo & Tweed Help?
Do you think you have what it takes to become a gardener? And would you perhaps want to find out more about what it is like to work in a private household? Or start applying for your new dream job? We are here for you! Polo & Tweed have clients all over the world who would be looking for live in, live out, and part time gardeners to join their household. We will help you with the whole application process, from your CV to nailing your job interview. Why not contact us here now to register with us and we look forward to speaking to you, and finding the right gardening job for you!