When looking for a new career path, there is one that is often overlooked but in fact has many perks and can be extremely lucrative. You may not have considered working as a gardener before, but there is a good chance that you could excel at this job and really enjoy it.
If you are not sure whether this career path is for you or not, here are five signs that a job as a gardener could be great for you.
- Your Own Garden is Well-Maintained
The first thing to consider if you are wondering whether you may be a good gardener is the state of your own garden. Of course, you may live somewhere that only has a small balcony, patch of concrete, or even no garden at all. However, if you do live somewhere that has a garden, check out how well you maintain it. If you do not have time to maintain your garden due to working another job, consider how much time you would spend in your garden if you didn’t have to work somewhere else.
- You Love the Outdoors
It goes without saying that working as a gardener means spending most of your day outdoors. If you don’t have a love of the outdoors, this career path is probably not ideal for you. You will also likely be working all year round and in all weather conditions, so if you only “love the outdoors” when the sun is out, you may run into problems!
- You Don’t Mind Peace and Quiet
Although gardeners sometimes work in pairs or even groups, a lot of the time you are likely to be working alone. You may also be carrying out work for people while they themselves are out at work, so there will often be nobody to talk to. If you do not like spending time alone, this is possibly not the job for you. However, if you relish peace and quiet, it could be ideal.
- You Are a Creative Person
Gardening is not necessarily just mowing lawns and trimming hedges—you may also be hired to advise on creative decisions such as arranging flowerbeds or choosing specific plants. If you have a creative nature and a flair for visual design, gardening can be hugely enjoyable.
- You Have Attention to Detail
It is not just creativity alone that makes a great gardener. You will also need to have a high level of attention to detail, as many gardening tasks involve delicate tasks and close attention to small details. For example, you may need to plan and monitor very precise irrigation systems or cut grass or leaves to very specific lengths. The best gardeners have the perfect balance of creativity and perfectionism.
What Do You Need to Do to Become a Gardener?
Gardeners can be either self-employed or can work for a larger gardening company. If you would prefer to be flexible with your schedule and like to be your own boss, self-employment may be best for you. However, if you want to set yourself up as a self-employed gardener, you will need to sort out administration, accounting, and insurance for your business. With a little online research, comparing insurance policies for tree trimmers can be relatively simple.
If you want to work for another company, you may need to have certain qualifications in order to pass the interview. However, a lot of the time passion for gardening can make up for a lack of formal qualifications, so it can be worth it to apply for a job just in case.