Horticultural Manager
Job Description:A horticultural manager grows plants for use in parks, gardens and public spaces.
Job Category:What you will do:
On a typical day you might:
- prepare and update business plans
- manage staff and budgets, analyse costs and make sure health and safety procedures are followed
- develop new products and negotiate with suppliers
- design layouts and develop planting programmes
- decide when to plant and harvest crops
- manage pests, disease and weed control
Skills:
You’ll need:
- knowledge of biology
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- business management skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
As well as:
- the ability to motivate and manage staff (teamwork skills)
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to sell products and services (creativity)
- excellent verbal communication skills (leadership skills)
- customer service skills
Entry Requirements:
To become a Horticultural Manager, you will typically need a combination of education, training, and practical experience in horticulture and management. Specific subjects can provide a strong foundation for pursuing this career. Here’s a list of subjects and other considerations that can help you become a Horticultural Manager:
- Mathematics: Basic math skills are important for tasks such as budgeting, calculating costs, and measuring land or garden dimensions.
- English: Strong communication skills are essential as you will need to write reports, communicate with staff and clients, and possibly create marketing materials.
- Biology: A foundational understanding of biology, particularly plant biology, can be highly beneficial for understanding plant growth, soil science, and pest management.
- Chemistry: Knowledge of chemistry can be useful for understanding soil composition, fertilizers, and pesticides.
- Environmental Science: This subject can provide insights into sustainability, conservation, and environmentally friendly horticultural practices.
- Business Studies or Economics: These subjects can help you understand business principles, financial management, and budgeting, which are important in a managerial role.
- Design and Technology: Courses in design and technology can be valuable for landscape design and garden planning aspects of horticulture.
Post School
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- a graduate training scheme
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:
- horticulture and management
- commercial horticulture
- horticulture and plant science
Work experience during university
Employers value work experience so it’s important to get as much as you can during your studies.
You could choose a course that includes a placement or internship. Your university careers service can also help you find work experience.
College
You could work towards this role by doing a college course in a relevant subject. In the UK, for example, courses include:
- Diploma in Horticulture
- Certificate in Practical Horticulture
- Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
- Diploma in Horticultural Practice
Apprenticeship
You could do a horticulture supervisor advanced apprenticeship to work towards a management role.
Work
You could start as a horticultural worker to get experience and work your way up to a management role.
Other Routes
Some larger companies have graduate schemes working with fresh food, produce and crops.
Working Hours and Environment:
A typical week consists of 44-46 hours of work. You could be required to work weekends on a rota.
You could work in an office or at a garden centre. Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience, you could:
- move into a senior management role
- set up your own nursery or garden centre
- complete a Master of Horticulture qualification