Gardener

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 job 

In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.

• Royal Horticultural Society – careers info from UK charity established to share the best in gardening

• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Education – learning opportunities

• Lantra Scotland – careers informations for the land-based, aquaculture and environmental sector