Landscape gardeners are professionals who design, build, and look after outdoor spaces. Their work helps turn a garden, lawn, yard, or any outdoor area into a beautiful, useful, and enjoyable space. They improve how a property looks, make outdoor areas easier to use, and increase the value of a home or business.
Landscape gardeners work in homes, parks, schools, hotels, and commercial areas. Their services can include design, planting, lawn care, hard landscaping, maintenance, and outdoor features. The role combines gardening knowledge, design skills, and practical building work.
This guide explains what do landscape gardeners do, the services they offer, how they work, and the tools and skills they need.
What Is a Landscape Gardener?
A landscape gardener is a trained professional who creates and maintains outdoor spaces. They may work alone or as part of a landscaping company. Their job can include planning, building, planting, or taking care of gardens and outdoor environments.
Landscape gardeners understand:
Plants and how they grow
Soil and ground conditions
Outdoor design planning
Tools and machinery
Hard and soft landscaping
Garden maintenance needs
They work with clients to understand what they want, then design and build a garden that fits the space and lifestyle.
What Services Do Landscape Gardeners Provide?
Landscape gardeners carry out many different tasks. Their services can be divided into two main categories:
Soft landscaping
Hard landscaping
Let’s look at each in detail.
Soft Landscaping
Soft landscaping refers to everything natural and living in a garden.
Planting
Landscape gardeners choose the right plants for the garden based on:
Climate
Soil type
Light
Maintenance needs
Style preferences
They plant trees, shrubs, flowers, hedges, and ground cover to create a balanced and attractive garden.
Turfing and Lawns
Landscape gardeners:
Lay new turf
Repair damaged lawns
Improve soil underneath
Install artificial grass (if requested)
They know which grass types perform best in different conditions.
Creating Flower Beds and Borders
They design and build planting beds that include colors, textures, and seasonal interest. Beds can be formal, modern, natural, or wildlife-friendly.
Garden Care and Maintenance
Many landscapers provide ongoing maintenance, including:
Lawn mowing
Weeding
Pruning
Hedge trimming
Fertilizing
Pest and disease control
This keeps the garden healthy and attractive all year.
Hard Landscaping
Hard landscaping includes built features made from non-living materials such as wood, concrete, metal, or stone.
Patios
A patio creates a usable outdoor living space for:
Dining
Seating
Entertaining
Barbecues
Gardeners can build patios from stone, concrete, brick, or paving slabs.
Decking
Landscape gardeners install wooden or composite decks to add raised platforms and level space in sloping gardens.
Fences and Walls
Fences and walls provide privacy, improve security, and define boundaries. Gardeners choose materials such as wood, brick, or stone to match the property.
Paths and Walkways
Paths make a garden easier to move through. They may be made of:
Gravel
Stone
Brick
Pavers
Stepping stones
Garden Structures
Some landscape gardeners build or install:
Pergolas
Arbors
Gazebos
Raised beds
Garden sheds
Greenhouses
Water Features
They may also install:
Fountains
Ponds
Streams
Waterfalls
These features add relaxation and visual interest to a garden.
Do Landscape Gardeners Design Gardens?
Yes. Many landscape gardeners offer professional garden design services. This process may include:
Site Survey
They measure the garden, check the soil, look at drainage, and note light and shade areas.
Client Consultation
They discuss:
Style preferences
Budget
Space needs
Plant choices
Maintenance level
Garden Plans
They may create drawings, digital plans, or 3D visual designs showing:
Plant layout
Garden structure
Hardscaping
Lighting
Pathways
Seating areas
Water features
Good design makes sure the garden looks beautiful and is easy to use.
What Tools Do Landscape Gardeners Use?
Landscape gardeners use many tools, including:
Hand Tools
Spades
Shovels
Trowels
Secateurs
Pruners
Forks
Rakes
Power Tools
Lawn mowers
Strimmers
Leaf blowers
Hedge trimmers
Chainsaws
Garden tillers
Construction Tools
Cement mixers
Wheelbarrows
Levels
Laser measurements
Compactors
These tools help them build and maintain gardens efficiently.
Where Do Landscape Gardeners Work?
Landscape gardeners work in:
Private homes
Newly built housing estates
Parks
Schools and universities
Offices
Hotels
Public rooftops
Commercial sites
Large estates
Wildlife or nature gardens
Their skills are needed anywhere outdoor space must be designed and maintained.
Skills a Landscape Gardener Needs
A landscape gardener needs a mix of technical, creative, and practical skills.
Plant Knowledge
Understanding plant behavior, seasonal changes, growth needs, and maintenance requirements.
Practical Construction Skills
Building:
Walls
Paths
Fences
Decks
Patios
Design Skills
Working with:
Space planning
Color combinations
Balance and proportion
Garden layout
Physical Strength
The job can involve:
Heavy lifting
Digging
Moving materials
Customer Service
Listening to clients and helping them create the garden they want.
Benefits of Hiring a Landscape Gardener
Hiring a professional gardener provides many advantages:
Better Results
They know how to shape a garden so everything works well together.
Saves Time
A homeowner can spend days or weeks on projects that a professional can finish in hours.
Improves Property Value
Good landscaping increases curb appeal and can raise home resale value.
Long-Lasting Garden
Professional planting and construction ensure that the garden grows well and lasts for many years.
Reduced Maintenance
Choosing the right plants and layout can make the garden easier to care for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do landscape gardeners cut grass?
Yes. Most offer lawn mowing and full lawn care services as part of garden maintenance.
Do landscape gardeners need qualifications?
Some landscapers learn through training or courses, while others gain skills through hands-on experience. Many start as apprentices.
Can a landscape gardener design a garden from scratch?
Yes. They can survey the area, plan the design, choose plants, and build the entire garden.
Is a landscape gardener the same as a landscape architect?
No. A landscape architect usually has formal university qualifications and works on larger projects like parks or commercial developments. A landscape gardener focuses more on residential and hands-on garden work.
Conclusion
Landscape gardeners play an important role in designing, building, and maintaining outdoor spaces. They create gardens that look attractive, work well, and add value to a property. Their work can range from planting and lawn care to building patios, paths, fences, and outdoor structures. With skills in both design and construction, landscape gardeners help transform any outdoor space into a place that is enjoyable, practical, and long-lasting.