Landscaping Industry Overview

Landscaping laborers physically install and maintain the landscaped areas of homes, pool decks, businesses, parks, school campuses, etc.They are responsible for initially transporting and planting new vegetation and may also handle necessary transplantation, mulching, fertilizing, watering and pruning of flowering trees, shrubs and flowers. Some positions may require the landscapers to finish surrounding cement areas, maintain and clean equipment and tools, and mix and spray solutions.Landscapers may choose to specialize in a particular area such as interior landscaping, exterior landscaping, ornamental landscaping, turf grass professional, etc.Various certification classes are available for these specialties.Managerial Landscaping positions directly supervise and coordinate the activities of the landscape workers, perform management functions such as accounting and marketing and may also assist in some landscaping work.Responsibilities include prioritizing crew and assignments to include planting, fertilization, irrigating and mowing. Landscape contractors contract out the tasks of the various projects to landscapers specializing in areas required by the project.Contractors provide a single point of contact to customers, by taking over management of resources and timelines.

Training and Educational Programs

If advancement to a management or supervisory position is desired, some formal education training may be required.Landscaping contractors should have extensive knowledge about plants, soils, turf care, horticulture and ornamental plants.Practical design techniques will be taught which will include flower, tree, shrub and ground cover selection and implementation.In addition, it is important to be educated in irrigation techniques and erosion prevention.Those in managerial positions must be conscious of all local and Federal environmental regulations and building codes.Some State laws requires landscape contractors to be licensed by the Contractors State License Board if the total price of the job, including both labor and materials, exceeds a certain dollar amount.There are a number of organizations committed to the education and training of landscape professionals.One of the largest, the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) is an international association serving lawn care professionals, management contracts and design professionals.PLANET provides marketing tools, industry informational articles and publications and updates on legislative issues, to their members.

Landscaping Architecture Specialty

Landscape architecture is essentially an architect of landscape. They specialize in the design of residential areas, public playgrounds and parks, college campuses, etc.They are responsible for making them not only aesthetically beautiful, but functional within their environment.Much of their work days consist of creating designs and plans, preparing models, estimating costs as well as observing site construction.Required knowledge for Landscape Architects also includes administration and management principles involved in strategic planning, leadership skills, resource allocation and coordination of people and resources.A Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture is required.A completed one-year internship and/or Master's degree is typically preferred.The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics reports that more than 26% of all landscape architects are self-employed.The growing demand of incorporating natural elements into man-made environments, and the need to meet a variety of environmental restrictions, is expecting to further increase the demand for experienced landscape architects.

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