5 Helpful Tips On Becoming A Successful Landscaper

November 12th, 2021 Landscaping Careers

If you have a love for both gardening and design, a career in landscaping might be worth exploring.

As a landscaper, you will have a flair for both landscaping design and horticulture. You will love the outdoors and have a keen eye for detail. Manual labour will be involved, as you will be spending a lot of time cultivating, positioning and maintaining plants and related outdoor structures. You will also be able to exercise your creativity, envisioning designs for both residential and public gardens.

Landscaping is a unique profession in which you’ll be a botanist, scientist, architect, designer, planner and technician all in one!

So what does it take to become a successful landscaper? Here are a few tips to help you:

Skills needed to be a landscaper

Landscaping is a labour-intensive profession. Before you dive headfirst into this career path, keep in mind you will need to have a good level of fitness to be able to perform 40+ hours a week doing things like:

• Mowing and maintaining lawns
• Moving heavy loads
• Operating machinery (lawnmowers, hedgers, loaders, etc.)
• Cleaning outdoor structures
• Planting and replanting a variety of flowers and trees
• Trimming and pruning trees and plants
• Watering lawns and plants
• Shovelling, weeding, raking and mulching
• Constructing outdoor and recreational structures

On top of having good fitness and mobility, landscapers need to have some knowledge in horticulture and plant care as well as be adept in the areas of design and planning.

Tips to entering the industry

To become a professional landscaper, one of the most vital skill traits to possess is a willingness to learn. Landscaping is quite literally a growing industry that is influenced by changing trends and new innovations. If you already have a can-do attitude, then you’re halfway there!

Following are some more tips to help you get into the landscaping industry and become a successful landscaper:

Get qualified

Don’t underestimate the power of a Degree or Diploma in Landscaping!

Many successful landscapers report having an easier time gaining employment in landscaping with a relevant qualification. Having certification in landscaping will also make you more favourable in the eyes of your clients/customers.

One of the biggest benefits of undergoing a course in landscaping is that it will provide you with all the skills needed to succeed as a professional landscaper. From landscape design to working with landscaping equipment and processes, an accredited landscaping course will help you to fast track your career and further your job prospects.

Gain experience

Landscaping is very much a hands-on role requiring on-the-job experience.

Gaining experience by completing an apprenticeship, internship, or volunteering will allow you to hit the ground running.

You will acquire practical knowledge from landscaping professionals and improve your chances of landing a permanent role with an established landscaping crew. Work experience will also allow you to build your repertoire and portfolio, enabling you to promote and sell your services if you are thinking of starting your own landscaping business.

Improve your soft skills

Landscaping is very much a business requiring business-related skills such as management, professionalism, marketing and communication.

Learning and cultivating your business skills will help you to run your landscaping business well. Creating a beautiful green oasis is a hallmark of a good landscaper, but in order to be a successful landscaper, you also need to know how to be strategic in public relations.

Consider building a website and online presence to further showcase your skills and attract more clients.

Get licensed 

Depending on where you live and what landscaping work you choose, you may require certain insurances and licenses in order to legally work as a landscaper.

Licensed landscapers who clearly display their accreditations are more likely to gain work, as clients can be confident they’re hiring someone professional.

You may look into obtaining an operation of heavy machinery license and building permits to expand your areas of expertise and appeal to more clients.

Find and target customers 

Landscaping clients include both residential homeowners and public or private organisations. As a landscaper, you can expect to work on a number of projects, from public parks to urban green spaces and corporate gardens.

You may wish to work for one or all of these prospective clients. Whatever work or client you choose, you should make sure that you target your audience so that you can gain the type of client and work that you want.

Try advertising on social media, local newspapers and print advertisements as well as local hardware stores to get your name out there.

Become a successful landscaper today!

Landscaping can be a tough job, but it’s also an emotionally and financially rewarding one!

If you think you have what it takes to succeed in the landscaping business, then our ICI professionals can help you. Consider enrolling in our Diploma of Landscaping and gain relevant industry experience and accreditation in landscaping. This course can also be undertaken for those already in the landscaping industry who are wanting to upskill.

by Gladys Mae

Gladys Mae served as the General Manager and Head of Student Services at the International Career Institute (ICI) from 2010 to 2025. A graduate of the University of San Jose - Recoletos with a degree in Mass Communication (Broadcast Media), she brought exceptional communication and organisational strengths to the role. During her 15-year tenure at ICI, Gladys provided decisive leadership, ensured high-quality student support, and played a pivotal role in shaping a positive learning experience for thousands of students. Before joining ICI, Gladys built a diverse professional background through key positions in the banking and business process outsourcing sectors, giving her a strong foundation in customer service, operations management, and team leadership.