A plant growing.
Horticulture deals primarily with plant propagation, plant breeding, and crop production. The planning, development and maintenance of fields, gardens and landscapes are the responsibility of horticulturists, as are the research, marketing, financial and legal aspects of the business. To become a horticulturist, you can train on the job or go to college in horticulture. Many agricultural colleges offer associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in horticulture, farm management, and other related programs. The benefit of a degree program is that it often provides better opportunities for career preparation and advancement.
Work experience can help someone land a job as a horticulturist.
The required coursework to become a horticulturist generally covers botany, chemistry, garden preparation and cultivation, fertilizer and compost use, soil testing, irrigation techniques, pruning techniques, identification of plant pests and diseases, and ecological management. Training in service and maintenance of tools, machinery and agricultural equipment may also be included in the program. It’s a good idea to take finance and business administration courses and develop writing and speaking skills.
Botanists study the biology of plants.
In addition to the necessary training or work experience, you will need a creative vision, an interest in working outdoors with plants, and the ability to work manually to become a horticulturist. Being physically fit will be an advantage as the job usually involves a certain amount of physical exertion and heavy lifting. You must be prepared to work in all kinds of weather conditions.
A horticulturist may work in a greenhouse environment.
Since regular interactions with customers, vendors, specialists, and workers are part of the job, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are desirable for anyone wishing to become a horticulturist. An insightful and methodical mindset, coupled with a strong sense of business management, will come in handy here as in any career. Knowledge of computers and the Internet is essential for business and research purposes, and a driver’s license may be required if the job requires frequent travel.
An aspiring horticulturist should have an interest in working outdoors with plants.
If you decide to become a horticulturist, you will have a wide variety of career possibilities. A horticulture teacher may be self-employed and run their own horticulture center, landscape service, garden shop, or horticulture consulting business. Horticulturists may work full-time in design, research, advisory, education, management, administration, quality control, or supervisory roles. They are typically employed by agricultural or horticultural product companies, agricultural businesses, government agencies, architectural firms, conservation organizations, and educational institutes.
Additionally, gardeners can pursue careers as writers, producing informational literature, articles, and books for print and online media. A trained botanist or horticultural specialist may also work as a writer, producer, or creative consultant in the radio and television industries. With increased awareness of environmental conservation issues around the world, there has been a corresponding growth in careers related to horticulture.