Gardener
Look after a garden and care for the plants so people can enjoy the green space all year round.
About the job
What it's like
You would look after a garden or other green spaces such as public parks, school and sports grounds so people can enjoy them all year round.
You’d grow and care for all types of plants, such as flowers, trees, shrubs and lawns.
Your tasks might include:
raising plants from seeds or cuttings
digging, planting and weeding flower beds and borders
pruning shrubs
checking the health of plants by identifying any pests or diseases and controlling them
giving plants food and water
using machinery such as lawn mowers, rotovators and hedge trimmers
maintaing high levels of presentation in public parks and gardens
cleaning and maintaining tools and equipment
You could also design planting schemes for gardens. You’d use your knowledge of plants and creativity to select plants and position them so there’s something to see in the garden all year round.
You may also carry out basic building tasks, such as putting up sheds and building walls, fences and patios.
There are many different types of gardens you could work in, such as:
private gardens
green spaces around buildings
street plant displays
public parks and community gardens
botanical gardens, such as the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
historical gardens, such as Inverewe Gardens in the North-West Highlands
heritage sites, such as Culzean Castle in Ayrshire
If you work in a garden that is open to the public, you might also answer questions from visitors or lead garden walks.
Green jobÂ
In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.
Hours
If you have a job with a local authority, you'll usually work 37 hours a week. Your working hours could vary depending on the time of year. You may need to be flexible if your work is disrupted by the weather.
You may be able to do overtime, weekend and part-time work, particularly during busy times. If you're self-employed you can arrange your own hours.
Environment
For some jobs you'll need to wear safety equipment such as gloves, eye protectors and a hard hat. Gardening is a physical job and involves a lot of lifting, digging and carrying loads.
Travel
If you're self-employed you'll need a driving licence to transport your equipment.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- mowing
- gardening
- weed control
- pruning
- landscaping
- horticulture
- trimming
- mulch
- herbaceous plants
- sustainable gardening
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- time management
- taking initiative
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- respecting
- creative
- verbal communication
- building relationships
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Environmental Science
Practical Craft Skills
Science
Skills for Work: Rural Skills
There are no set qualifications to enter this job but some employers ask for a good general education (usually SCQF Level 4).
To enter a relevant Scottish Vocational Qualification such as Horticulture (SVQ Level 2/3) may require qualifications at SCQF Level 4-5.
You may also be able to do a Modern Apprenticeship.
Qualifications and experience that show practical skills and an understanding of the natural environment will be useful. For example, Skills for Work: Rural Skills (SCQF Level 4) or the John Muir Award
Business and enterprise related subjects such as SQA Enterprise and Employability Award (SCQF Level 4/5) may also be of value as many gardners are self-employed.
Previous work experience is helpful too.
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