This article will discuss the purpose for completing an apprenticeship in landscape gardening. It will review what is required to become a professional landscaper.

Completing An Apprenticeship in Landscape Gardening

Many landscapers only work on residential or small commercial landscaping jobs. They are professionals but not certified as a landscape architect. A landscape architect is usually also a degreed engineer and licensed to work on large public or commercial projects. In either case, completing an apprenticeship in landscape gardening can lead to professional certification.

Hard Work

Completing an apprenticeship in landscape gardening requires a lot of hard work. A landscape apprentice is a working landscaper. In fact, an apprentice is frequently assigned some of the hardest, dirtiest work involved so they learn to understand a project from every perspective and from beginning to end. It is the apprentice you will often see digging the holes on a job. An apprenticeship in landscape gardening requires the ability to do physical labor, lift heavy loads, work in all types of weather and handle chemicals. A landscaper must be able to do math calculations, have good eyesight and able to operate landscaping equipment.

Details

An apprenticeship in landscape gardening involves gaining experience and knowledge in many landscaping areas.

  • Apprentices learn the differences between residential, business and public
  • landscaping projects
  • Interior and exterior garden design and planning is learned
  • Apprentices gain knowledge about the various landscaping materials
  • available and their uses in projects
  • Apprentices learn about soil types
  • Apprentices learn about plants and trees and their different
  • characteristics, including how they grow, their texture, their full size
  • Apprentices learn about pruning methods, sod varieties and plant thinning
  • methods
  • Apprentices also learn about environmental laws and license requirements
  • Apprentices planning on becoming landscape architects learn to read
  • engineering site surveys and site analysis
  • Apprentices learn how to use landscape software and how to draw plans by
  • hand
  • Apprentices study the artistic presentation of plants in a landscape
  • Apprentices also study the view perspectives

The Program

It can take up to four years to complete an apprenticeship in landscape gardening. There are schools around the world that offer programs. Landscape architects are the highest level of landscape professional. They work on large public jobs such as zoos, parks and public gardens. Landscape architects design large commercial building landscapes projects. Professional landscapers have completed an apprenticeship and work on the smaller jobs. When deciding to hire a professional to complete a home landscaping job, ask to see the certification as proof they are knowledgeable in the landscaping field. Knowing the person you hire has completed an apprenticeship in landscape gardening provides assurance that you will get qualified assistance.