Last Updated on December 21, 2022 by Tony Manhart
If you are passionate about neat-looking lawns, lush green shrubs, and designing the landscapes we live and work in, a course in landscape design may be worth it. The good part is that you don’t have to worry about enrolling in a university and sitting for exams to become one. There are short courses that could bring you up to speed in a few days. If you wish to learn how to become a landscape designer, below are some useful tips.
How To Start A Landscape Design Career
Have Passion for the Art
It goes beyond saying that landscaping is an art, and therefore true passion is required if you wish to learn the ropes. As a garden designer, you should be able to work with plants and have sound knowledge of the best evergreen trees, soil conditions, and materials. It also comes as a plus if you have gardening experience, but it is also possible for a newbie to get the hang of it.
Be Ready to Learn
So you love to stare at trees, flowers and are one with nature. Is that enough to push you towards gardening and landscaping? It is. Just as you need passion to make it happen, you should also be willing to learn all the tips and tricks about keeping a neat lawn. It is also worth mentioning that you should be ready to get your hands dirty, as it is one of the secrets to growing the best crops.
Select a Course and Take Classes
With the willingness to learn about becoming a garden designer, the next step will be to get the right training. While it is possible to find free videos and online resources to get you started, you should consider getting formal training if you wish to become a professional. It helps when you need to get jobs from clients and puts you up as an expert in the field.
There are training programs and courses available for beginner and advanced-level gardening, landscaping, and garden designing.
If you are in the UK, these schools are some of the options you have: KLC School of Design, Inchbald School of Design, or Oxford College of Garden Design.
If you live in the US your options are Chicago Botanic Gardens, Phipps Conservatory, and Santa Rosa Junior College for Garden Design courses. If you want to become a landscape designer, these schools are some of the options you have: American River College, Columbia University, or New York Botanical Gardens.
With that, you can learn skills, such as design, landscaping, horticulture, and construction. You can also combine classes to broaden your knowledge. So you may want to check out what’s available in your region (UK or US).
You also have the option to take online or part-time courses. The courses last from 2 to 3 years depending on the school and the modality you choose.
Legal Aspects
Most garden designers are self-employed. Once you have finished your studies, you will have to make the decision if starting your own business is the best option for you. If that’s the case, you will have to start to organize your tax and accounts affairs.
Get Experience
Here is where the challenge begins for new entrants into the labor force. As a garden designer, you should be ready to compete with other new businesses for available jobs. The good thing is that millions of homeowners have a lawn, so all you need are a few returning customers to keep your business floating. Also, there are garden design competitions all across the UK like garden shows where you can participate and gain experience.
As a newcomer, there are options available to kick-start your career. You can take a job at a horticultural firm to gain the needed experience and raise capital to start your own business.
Licensing
You should be licensed by the relevant local authority if you are to become a professional landscaper in the United States. The same applies to many other regions in the world. So you want to ensure that you get certified and licensed to avoid any legal ramifications.
Get Clients
Thanks to technology, you don’t have to go from door to door, asking if anyone needs your services. There are several other marketing tricks available at your disposal to help get your first clients. You can put up ads online for anyone looking to hire a garden designer in your vicinity.
Also, flyers and banners could be an excellent way to create awareness about your new business. Another trick is to give incentives to attract your first customer. A career in garden design could be a lucrative one, especially in a situation where passion meets dedication and hard work.
FAQs
Is landscape design a good job?
The answer is that landscape design is more of a skill than a job. It requires specific skills and it is easy to see why some people want to be landscape designers.
Landscape design is often seen as a dream job because the pay is good and there are many opportunities to advance. However, not everyone has the skills to be successful in this career.
Inevitably, there are some landscape designers who are not happy with their jobs. However, there are also some people who love their jobs and say they couldn't imagine doing anything else.
Some landscape designers have been working on landscapes in the field since they were 18 years old and still have no other career plans.
What does it take to be a landscape designer?
It is not easy to become good at it by just following rules. A landscape designer is an artist who designs gardens, parks, and outdoor spaces. They are responsible for the way that these spaces appear and feel. They must have a keen eye for aesthetics to be successful in this role. They must also understand how humans interact with their surroundings.
Being a landscape designer is a challenging job. It requires creativity, patience, a vision for where you want to go with your design and a lot of hard work.
Landscape designers must have the knowledge in the following skillsets:
- Environmental awareness and understanding
- Landscape planning
- Planning and design
- Professional skills such as communication, leadership, problem solving
- Graphic design skills
This profession typically entails working outdoors in all weather conditions. This profession also requires many years of experience to be successful at it.
Are landscape architects happy?
Based on the research it seems that landscape architects are content with their jobs. They like to be outdoors and enjoy the process of creating landscapes. They also seem to have a sense of fulfillment in their work.
How do I start a career in landscape design?
Working in landscape design is a career that offers many options. The degree of work you undertake depends on the type of landscape designer you are. It's not an easy job, but one that can be very rewarding.
So, if you're considering a career in landscape designing, here are some questions you might want to ask yourself: What sort of design do I enjoy? Are my skills and interests best suited for horticulture? Am I interested in landscaping for residential or commercial sites? What kinds of projects do I enjoy most?
There are many different paths you can take to start a career in landscape design. You can go to school, get an internship, and then find a job or you can just start working right away.
There are many different paths you can take to start a career in landscape design. You can go to school, get an internship, and then find a job or you can just start working right away. Whether the path you choose will be more fruitful depends on your skillsets and interests - whether that be residential or commercial landscaping services. Note that there is no guarantee that one path will work for everyone so it is important for individuals to really explore their options and choose the path that best suits them.
Tony Manhart is a passionate gardener who has been tending to gardens for over 20 years. He takes pride in creating beautiful outdoor spaces with plants, trees, and shrubs that can thrive in any environment. He loves to share his knowledge with others and has taught classes on gardening basics and advanced techniques. He is committed to sustainability, using natural and organic methods to create and maintain gardens. He also works with local organizations to create green spaces for communities. When he’s not gardening, Tony enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with his family.
