You walk down the narrow path, enjoying the smell of the air, flowers, and plants, as you reach an archway of bushes leading you toward the sea. As the path becomes wider, you enter a section of land with bushes on either side, each one brilliantly shaped to look like a different animal. The sunbeams reflect off of the raindrops dripping from the leaves.
Did picturing this scene make you smile? Did you start to think about how you would design it to make it better? If you answered yes to either or both of these questions, you might want to consider a career in landscaping. By working in landscaping you could get to work outside, all of the time if you wish, and help people make the exterior of their homes look amazing. Let’s focus on what exactly landscape professionals do.
What Do People Who Work In Landscaping Do?
People who work in landscaping, landscapers, create outdoor scenes for public and private areas. More specifically, they either design the setting themselves using greenery, cement, rocks, water, and other natural materials to construct a beautiful outdoor space that serves its function well. They also often work with landscape architects and follow the architect’s designs for the installation of the specific scenery outlined in the architect's plans. Some landscapers spend their time in science labs, and others, called agronomists, focus on soils and soil science. With multiple different paths within landscaping, it’s a great field to be in.
Landscapers are often responsible for:
- Planting
- Seeding
- Mowing
- Lawn management
- Draining system maintenance and implementation
- Use of heavy equipment and machinery
- Weeding
- Laying turf and more!
The average landscaping salary in the U.S. is $32,360, however, the salary also varies by state. Although this is not a super-high salary, it is possible to earn more than $32,360 if you live in a state that pays better for these services and also if you have a lot of clients, or your clients pay better than average.
How To Start Working In Landscaping
Thankfully this role usually does not require any expensive degrees. However, similar to people who work in pest control and work with certain pesticides, depending on the state that you are working in, you may have to become certified to work with certain pesticides and chemicals. You may also be required to pass a state board exam.
These regulations will also depend on which specific path you take within landscaping. Groundskeepers are also considered part of the general landscaping profession, as is becoming a nursery manager. If you think about it, running a nursery requires the same skills, and people sometimes have nurseries outside their homes as a decoration, similar to any other landscaping project.
Landscaping is primarily learned by doing. A good way to get experience is to become an apprentice under someone who has been in the landscaping profession for a very long time. That way you can gain experience while you learn from an expert.
Although they are not required, you may want to earn more certificates to help you stand out when looking for work in landscaping. A professional certificate from an association like The Professional Grounds Management Society or The Professional Landcare Network would look great on a resume and could help you land your first clients.
Starting Your Own Landscaping Company
Once you have decided what path within the broad career of landscaping you plan to choose, and you have apprenticed under someone who has a lot of experience in the profession, you will be able to choose between two primary options; working for an already established landscaping company or starting your own company. The benefit of working for an established company is that they will likely already have a network of clients.
If you start your own landscaping business you will likely be able to make more money. Rather than receiving a salary from a company, any money that is generated by your own business will be yours. Not to mention, you will get to work for yourself which means setting your hours and only working when you want to work. You can actually set up your own landscaping business in just a few simple steps.
Steps To Starting A Landscaping Business
- Register your new company as an LLC
- Develop a great website for your company. Don’t know how to code? No problem. You can hire someone to build your website, or you can use a no-code website builder like Wix, Weebly, or WordPress.
- Sign up on OneBook and start the vetting process so you can list your business on the OneBook platform and gain instant access to potential clients.
Starting a new business can be difficult, but by providing a place for service professionals and their clients to connect, OneBook makes it easier. Landscaping is a great business to be in that offers multiple rewarding career paths. Consider starting your journey as a landscaper today!
