What's it like to work in Amenity Horticulture?

As an amenity horticulturist, you get to design and create various outdoor public spaces, such as parks and gardens. Your job will be to construct, manage, and maintain these areas. This includes things like botanic gardens, sports facilities, cemeteries, country parks, and more. You'll be involved in all aspects of the process, including design, growing, and maintenance. It's a pretty complex job, requiring you to have technical and management skills, scientific knowledge, and traditional cultivation expertise.

Some of your responsibilities will include designing planting schemes, managing maintenance programs, analysing costs, ensuring that all regulations are being met, managing pest and weed control programs, conducting environmental assessments, developing wildlife in gardens and grounds, inspecting machinery and equipment, managing contractors, and communicating with the public, officials, and colleagues.

Your salary will depend on your experience, with entry-level salaries starting at £17,000 - £25,000 and head gardeners earning up to £40,000. You'll usually work 40 hours a week, but your work hours may vary depending on the season. You should expect to work outdoors all year round, which can be cold, dirty and wet in the winter, or hot and sweaty in the summer months.

If you're interested in pursuing a career in amenity horticulture, you can take a degree in subjects such as horticulture, soil science, crop and plant science, or environmental science. Alternatively, you can complete an apprenticeship, take a certificate or diploma course, or attend practical skills courses. Good communication and interpersonal skills, efficient planning skills, and the ability to work both independently and in a team are essential for this role.

To find out more, have a looking at our Gardening Courses list.