I have been working at my new school for around six weeks now. With the six weeks of work there, it has had me thinking today about the qualities of a horticulturalist that are ideal.

I started along this line of thinking because jobs that should have been done before I got anywhere near this particular school were not done, leading to me having to spend a whole day today cutting back some coastal rosemary shrubs and then clean up afterwards (bear in mind that there are a large number in this one particular planting). This isn’t the only job that was left, for whatever reason, by the previous incumbent. This has taken me away from other jobs that are needing attention at the start of spring.

So what do I think makes a good horticulturalist?

Firstly, you have to be able to turn up to work AND turn up on time-something many seem to struggle with these days! It also helps if you have a bit of enthusiasm or a willingness to get the job done without acting like you are a snail, or as though having to work to earn your wage is a rather large inconvenience. I mention these things as, in my previous workplace, I had all three attitudes coming out of two people which was a nightmare place to be when you have stuff to get done!

It helps that you have some pride in your work and that you care. I’m not expecting ‘passion’ or complete obsession over your work-that isn’t required. A lack of care in your work makes you sloppy with it, so go and gets different job.

Knowledge and a willingness to keep learning are also important here, both in a book sense and a practical experience. With book knowledge, you learn the background theory of the job, but the practical experience you gain as you are working is also key. This is because you only learn how to be efficient, how to prune your roses without freaking out and how to hedge a hedge straight by actually doing the job, the theory guides you in the best ways of doing this practical stuff. A willingness to keep learning is needed because you never know everything in this industry.

One of the biggest things you need is a combination of a good work ethic, a willingness to get stuck in and, most of all, just the ability to work really hard to get the job done when needed. When you’re working in the heat of summer and you’re tired, but you have to finish the job before you go home, you need to just work hard. It’s not like that every day, but sometimes it just is.

Enjoying the outdoors also helps. The fresh air and sunshine are lovely. The birds, the bugs and any other critters you come across are just going about their business-let them get on with it and don’t freak out.

The biggest factor is the fact that we work for clients on their grounds. They frequently ask for certain jobs to be done a certain way for a reason (even if you don’t know the reason or like that reason), so get it done. If you don’t, you could end up getting moved on or lose your job.

Pride in your work, knowledge and willingness to work hard makes the gardens you work in look great.

/donations