How to Write a Gardener CV: Examples, Templates and Tips
The UK’s passion for gardening is deeply rooted. Institutions from the Chelsea Flower Show, National Trust and Kew Gardens, television's Ground Force and the humble garden centre prove we are a nation of gardeners. The passion for nurturing beauty and preserving nature makes gardening a rewarding profession. For those looking to thrive in this field, crafting a polished modern CV is essential to help their career flourish.
Whether you're aiming for a position at a renowned botanical garden or looking to offer your services to private residences, knowing how to write a good CV will ensure you’re the pick of the bunch.
In this guide, we cover:
Must-have CV sections for a gardener position
Key gardener skills for your CV
How to list work experience
CV example for entry-level professionals.
To boost your chances of success, first optimise your CV for application tracking systems (ATS) by choosing a professional CV template to improve visibility and secure interviews.
Gardener CV Example
Download this free gardener CV sample in PDF.
For this UK gardener CV sample, the Wheaton template is a starting point for a crisp and cool document. Embracing ample negative space, a contemporary font and optimal section spacing, the candidate demonstrates that, much like his gardens, this CV is meticulously pruned with plenty of room to grow.
What to include in a gardener CV?
Just like the grounds of a country home, a CV for gardening in the UK needs to be attractive, clearly labelled, and have an easy-to-follow path throughout.
Create a blueprint by marking out the main sections of your document, which should always include:
Personal profile
Skills
Work experience
Education
References.
Including references on a CV is particularly important in gardening, where reputation and connections are key. Make sure you have yours ready to go and include ‘available on request’ at the end of your CV.
Landscape gardeners are in demand across a range of industries such as civil engineering, hospitality, and construction. This means you’ll be making plenty of job-specific applications throughout your career. Make things easy and begin the CV writing process with a master CV.
Pro tip
A master CV is an all-inclusive document that contains every skill, experience, qualification, training and reference you have collected. We recommend using it as a starting point for each application you make, ensuring consistency and quality.
How to write a compelling personal statement for a gardener CV
Writing an inspiring personal profile on a CV is your chance to make an immediate impression. This lead-in to your document outlines your experience level, unique strengths, trademark soft skills and career level to date.
Pro tip
Use this small but strong CV section to give a broad but impressive idea of who you are as a candidate and what you bring to the table.
Gardener CV personal profile examples
Garden centre assistant CV personal profile example
Motivated garden centre assistant with 3 years experience. Passionate about bringing nature closer to people, with exceptional knowledge of plants and gardening products. Excel at customer service and thrive in service-oriented team environments. Eager to contribute to a team that inspires gardening enthusiasts of all levels.
Landscape gardener CV personal profile example
Creative and detail-orientated landscape gardener with 5 years of experience. Possesses a flair for transforming outdoor spaces into serene escapes. Proficient in the latest landscaping techniques and tools, committed to sustainable practices. Adept at working collaboratively to bring visionary garden designs to life.
Gardener CV personal profile example
Dedicated gardener driven by cultivating beauty and sustainability in outdoor spaces with 2 years of experience. Skilled in all facets of garden maintenance, with a keen eye for plant health and soil management. Eager to grow within a role that values hard work, creativity and a passion for bringing outdoor spaces to life.
Senior gardener CV personal profile example
Senior gardener with 6 years experience in garden management, specialising in botanical care and landscape design. A leader in sustainable gardening practices, mentoring teams to achieve excellence. Recognised for expert knowledge and commitment to enhancing large-scale outdoor spaces.
Assistant gardener CV personal profile example
Enthusiastic and hardworking assistant gardener with 2 years experience. Keen to improve a foundational knowledge of horticulture and garden maintenance. Quick to learn and eager to cultivate natural beauty and team productivity. Brings a strong work ethic and team communication skills to support experienced gardeners in achieving their vision.
Head gardener CV personal profile example
Experienced Head Gardener with 10+ years leading horticultural teams in private estates and heritage gardens. Skilled in large-scale planting schemes, kitchen garden production, and landscape restoration. Strong leadership and planning abilities, ensuring gardens are maintained to the highest standards. Passionate about mentoring junior gardeners and creating inspiring outdoor environments.
Tree surgeon CV personal profile example
Qualified Gardener and Tree Surgeon with 5 years of experience in tree care, pruning, and garden maintenance. Competent in chainsaw use, tree felling, and disease identification, with strong knowledge of plant health and landscape upkeep. Safety-focused and physically resilient, with a passion for preserving trees and enhancing outdoor spaces.
Consider related industries with crossover creative skills, such as sustainability or design.
How to list essential gardening skills on a CV
Knowing what skills to put on your CV can be difficult, especially if you have plenty to choose from. Similar to other skills-based roles, such as carpenter, chef or interior designer, the skills on a horticultural CV are the toolbox of abilities you need to show that you have what it takes to fulfil the role.
Be sure to include a mix of sought-after soft skills and technical competencies to assure employers that you are the full package.
| Essential skills for a gardener CV | |
|---|---|
| Plant knowledge | Understanding various types of plants, their growth conditions, seasonal requirements, and how to care for them to ensure healthy gardens. |
| Soil management | Knowledge of different soil types and how to amend and manage soil to promote plant health, including fertilisation, aeration, and pH adjustment. |
| Pest and disease control | Ability to identify and manage pests and diseases that affect plants, using organic and chemical treatments responsibly to minimise damage. |
| Pruning and trimming | Skill in cutting back plants and trees to remove dead or overgrown branches or stems to encourage growth, maintain shape, and improve health. |
| Landscape design | The creative planning and design of outdoor spaces, understanding design principles and how to create aesthetically pleasing and functional gardens. |
| Hard skills | Soft skills |
|---|---|
| Irrigation system management | Communication |
| Horticultural science | Flexibility |
| Machinery operation | Problem-solving |
| Garden planning and layout | Teamwork |
| Sustainable gardening practices | Time management |
Pro tip
List your hard skills in a separate section under the heading "Skills," while soft skills should be woven throughout the personal profile and work experience sections with context.
How to include practical work experience on your gardener CV
When including a work experience section on your CV for a gardening job, your goal is to illustrate not only your gardening career to date, but also how you’ve enriched the teams and landscapes you’ve come into contact with.
How to format the work experience CV section
In each paragraph, provide a clear, organised overview of your work responsibilities and baker duties.
- Emphasise your key achievements for each job in bullet points. Use measurable outcomes and figures wherever possible to showcase your impact.
Take a look at other practical CV writing guides, like the electrician CV example and welder CV example, for inspiration on how they approach the work experience section.
What should each work experience entry include?
Job title of current or previous role
Organisation name and location
Years of employment
A concise paragraph detailing your duties
Followed by 2–3 bullet points highlighting your key achievements or measurable impact.
Gardener CV work experience examples
Garden centre assistant, Green Thumb Garden Centre, Bristol, 2019 - Present
Responsible for assisting customers with plant and product selections, providing expert advice on garden care and maintaining the health and presentation of plant stock. Managed inventory and organised displays to enhance the shopping experience, while also leading workshops on gardening basics for the community.
Developed a plant care guide distributed to customers, leading to a 25% increase in plant sales and improved customer satisfaction.
Organised and led 15+ community gardening workshops, resulting in repeat customer visits.
Landscaper gardener, Willow Landscaping Services, Manchester, 2022 - 2025
Oversaw landscape projects from conception to completion, including design, plant selection and installation. Collaborated closely with clients to ensure their vision was realised while managing a team of junior landscapers. Ensured all projects were completed on time, within budget and to the highest standard.
Successfully completed 50+ landscape projects, with a 95% client satisfaction rate, contributing to a 20% growth in business referrals.
Reduced project completion times by 10% through effective team management and streamlining of materials procurement.
Senior gardener, Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Sheffield, 2017 - 2025
Led a team of gardeners in the maintenance and development of extensive botanical collections, ensuring the highest horticultural standards. Conducted research and implemented sustainable gardening practices. Provided expert guidance on plant care, pest control and landscape design.
Introduced a sustainable composting system, reducing garden waste by 40% and enhancing soil health.
Spearheaded a biodiversity project that increased plant species in the gardens by 15%, attracting more visitors and enhancing educational programs.
Assistant gardener, Highgrove Estate, Gloucestershire, 2023 - 2025
Supported the gardening team in the daily maintenance of public and private house gardens, including planting, weeding, pruning and lawn care. Assisted in the implementation of garden designs and projects, learning from experienced gardeners and contributing to the estate's beauty and productivity.
Contributed to the redesign and planting of a 2-acre wildflower meadow, resulting in a 30% increase in local wildlife sightings.
Enhanced the efficiency of seasonal planting schedules, reducing plant loss by 20% through meticulous planning and care.
Pro Tip
Align your personal profile and work experience sections. Let your personal profile explain why you want to become a gardener and use your work experience entries to you have the right transferable skills.
How to include relevant qualifications and education on a gardener CV
Correctly formatting your education section on a CV shows you have the requisite formal training to back up your practical experiences and collected skills.
The minimum educational requirement for gardening and horticulture jobs is usually four to five GCSEs (or equivalent). If you are considering further study as an undergraduate, or an apprenticeship, there are many courses available, such as Practical Horticulture Skills, Garden Design and Landscaping and Gardening.
How to format educational qualifications
Degree
[Degree title], [Institution], [Location], [Year of graduation]
BSc (Hons) Horticulture, University of Reading, 2021
A-Levels
[Qualification name], [Institution], [Location], [Years completed]
A-Levels: Biology (B), Geography (B), Design & Technology (C), Greenfield Sixth Form College, Leeds, 2018
GCSEs / Equivalent
[Qualification name], [Institution], [Location], [Year completed]
10 GCSEs with grades A-C, including English and Mathematics, Windham College, Norfolk, 2022
Apprenticeships and diplomas
[Qualification name], [Institution], [Location], [Year completed]
Diploma in Horticulture, Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), London, UK, 2014
Additional sections for a gardener CV
Adding courses and certificates, as well as hobbies and interests, to a CV are the final flourishes of a great job application. They highlight you as a well-rounded individual who brings diverse skills and experiences from various fields, while actively pursuing self-improvement through industry-recognised awarding bodies such as Lantra.
How to format courses & certificates
[Course Name], [Issuer], [Issued Date]
Lantra Award, Landscape Tool Multi-tool, 2024
Pro tip
Keep hobbies and interests appropriate and relevant for a gardening role in the UK, but don’t be afraid to show a little personality too.
How to add hobbies & interests
Hobbies and interests should be included at the end of your document, not as an afterthought, but discreetly tucked away as a supporting piece of information.
Interests: Gardening, alternative surfaces, floral design competitions, hiking, and sustainability
How to write a gardener CV with little to no experience
If you are wondering how to write a gardener CV with no experience, we've got you covered. If you’re just beginning your gardening career as a school leaver or graduate, or planning a career change, look to your transferable skills and volunteer work experience to get you off the mark.
Don’t try to water down your limited expertise. Be transparent about your current career stage, emphasising your eagerness to learn and highlighting any seasonal work you’ve completed.
Key areas to showcase your aspirations as a gardener:
Personal profile: Consider your transferable skills, such as problem-solving, communication and teamwork, and make an impact by including the most valuable soft skills.
Work experience entries: Describe in more detail how your transferable skills have brought results.
References: Provide external proof that past employers or those you have worked with have appreciated these transferable skills.
Gardener CV example with no experience
Download this free gardener CV with no experience in PDF.
Pro tip
Check the job application for any additional requirements as it could be that applicants with a driver’s licence, additional horticulture qualifications or health and safety certificates are looked on more favourably.
Gardener CV essentials
Start with a compelling personal profile: Showcase your enthusiasm, personal qualities, motivations and career level.
Structure your CV clearly with essential sections: Personal Details, Personal Profile, Skills, Work Experience, Education, and References.
Start from a master CV: Create a comprehensive document from which to tailor individual applications.
Detail work experience: Focus on responsibilities and quantifiable achievements, showing how soft skills have been applied.
Highlight transferable skills: For those new to professional gardening, emphasise adaptability and eagerness to learn.
Next steps?
Iron out any creases using our intuitive CV Builder with 20+ CV templates and professional designs to choose from. To match your CV, discover our cover letter templates. If you don’t want to leave anything to chance, connect with our professional CV Writing Service. Draw inspiration from our blog for tips on how to track job applications, prepare for interviews, emphasise important sections, and make it easier for employers to grasp your unique professional offer.
FAQ
Is there a demand for gardeners in the UK?
Yes, there is a consistent demand for gardeners in the UK, fuelled by the country's strong gardening culture and the need to maintain public and private green spaces. For more insights, check out our article on the top in-demand jobs in the UK.
Do gardeners make good money in the UK?
According to National Careers, Gardeners can earn between £19,500 and £26,000 based on experience, location and whether they work independently or for an organisation. Specialised skills can also increase earning potential. For more information, explore our article on the average UK salary.
Do gardeners work in the winter in the UK?
Yes, gardeners work year-round in the UK, focusing on seasonal tasks such as preparing gardens for spring, maintenance work, and planning for the coming year during the winter months.
How do I become a private gardener in the UK?
To become a private gardener, gain practical experience, develop strong knowledge of horticulture, and consider formal qualifications or certifications. Networking and showcasing your skills through a well-crafted CV can also help attract private clients.
What is a good format for a gardener CV in the UK?
A clear and concise CV format is best, including sections for personal details, a personal statement, skills, work experience and education. It's important to know how long a CV should be when highlighting relevant gardening skills and experience.
Where can I gain volunteer experience as a gardener?
In addition to volunteering in private gardens, organisations such as The Conservation Volunteers, National Trust and The Wildlife Trusts regularly seek volunteers to gain professional experience in horticulture and conservation.
