Do I need a horticulture qualification to be a gardener?

No. Many gardeners learn on the job, although a Level 2 horticulture certificate or a spraying or chainsaw ticket can open up more work.

How do I show my experience if I am self-employed?

Describe the types of job, the number of gardens and how long customers have stayed, and say you can provide references.

Should I include my driving licence?

Yes. Many gardening jobs involve driving between sites with tools, so a full, clean licence is worth stating.

I am not sure how to describe outdoor work on paper. Can I get help?

Ceev writes your CV from your own answers, typed or spoken, so you can simply tell it what you do in a normal week.

Gardener CV example

A strong gardener CV shows the work you can do through the year: mowing, hedges, pruning, planting and tidy-ups, and the tools you use safely. It should also mention any horticulture qualifications, spraying or chainsaw tickets and a driving licence.

Aisha Khan

Gardener

aisha@example.com · 07700 900156 · Birmingham

Profile

Careful gardener with experience maintaining private gardens, from mowing and hedge cutting to planting and seasonal clear-ups. Confident using mowers, strimmers and hedge trimmers safely, and happy to advise owners on plants and upkeep. Works steadily outdoors in all weathers and leaves every garden tidy.

Experience

Gardener — a local grounds maintenance company

Maintained around 20 private gardens on a weekly and fortnightly rota, mowing, edging and weeding

Cut hedges and pruned shrubs and roses at the right time of year

Planted seasonal bedding and new borders to the owner's plan

Used mowers, strimmers and hedge trimmers safely, and kept them clean and serviced

Cleared green waste and left every garden tidy at the end of the visit

Garden Assistant — a garden centre

Watered, fed and tidied plants so the displays stayed in good condition

Advised customers on plants that suit sun, shade and different soils

Helped customers load plants and bags of compost into their cars

Served at the till and kept stock labelled and priced correctly

Key skills

Lawn mowing and edging

Hedge trimming

Pruning and planting

Borders and beds

Plant and weed identification

Strimmers and power tools

Seasonal clear-ups

Level 2 horticulture certificate (where held)

Clean driving licence

Working outdoors

Example · fictional candidate · Heritage design · Use this design

Tips for a gardener CV

List what you can do by season, for example mowing and hedge cutting in summer, leaf clearing and pruning in autumn and winter
Name the machines you use safely, plus any training you hold, such as a PA1 and PA6 spraying certificate or chainsaw CS30 and CS31
Give the size of the jobs, such as how many gardens, how big an estate or how many people were on your team
Include a driving licence and say whether you have your own van or tools
If you are self-employed, say how long customers have stayed with you and offer references
Mention allotment, community garden or volunteer work if you have little paid experience

Applying with a cover letter? See our gardener cover letter example.