GARDENER SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS
Published: Apr 11, 2025 – The Gardener has experience in advanced landscape maintenance, including mowing, pruning, high tree removal, and irrigation system installation and repair. This role requires skills in operating a wide range of gardening tools and equipment, applying pesticides and fertilizers safely, and following permitting requirements. The gardener also demonstrates strong problem-solving abilities, attention to safety, and effective communication in both independent and team settings.
Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Gardener Resume
- Plant Care
- Lawn Maintenance
- Pest Control
- Soil Preparation
- Irrigation Monitoring
- Equipment Operation
- Tree Care
- Fertilization Methods
- Garden Installation
- Plant Propagation
- Team Leadership
- Customer Service
- Time Management
- Team Collaboration
- Problem Solving
- Work Plan Execution
- Department Liaison
- Public Interaction
- Safety Compliance
- Event Hosting

Summary of Gardener Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume
1. BS in Botany with 3 years of Experience
- Commercial landscape/irrigation maintenance experience or equivalent education/experience
- Skills in tree evaluation, applicable OSHA regulations, chemical use, and irrigation troubleshooting
- Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of construction, repair, and maintenance applicable to landscaping and grounds maintenance
- Knowledge of materials, tools, and equipment used for landscape and grounds maintenance.
- Knowledge of safety rules, regulations, and established industry procedures and practices
- Knowledge of MSDS manuals and chemicals, and training
- Skilled in using tools, equipment, and vehicles utilized in grounds/landscape maintenance.
- Ability to plan and organize work, read equipment manuals, maps, and landscape/irrigation site plans.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, including orienting new hires
- General knowledge of grounds maintenance equipment
- Must be able to use non-restricted chemicals for lawns and plants
2. BS in Floriculture with 4 years of Experience
- Expertise in the seasonal and long-term care for diverse plantings of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, grasses, and bulbs, including knowledge of plant culture, maintenance, and identification
- Experience in landscape maintenance, agriculture, or nurseries
- Demonstrated knowledge of naturalistic planting design
- Detail-oriented, with considerable attention to order and cleanliness
- Willing to collaborate on any tasks required for maintaining the highest standards of garden and overall park management
- Must be a team player and willing to maintain positive engagement with the public and colleagues
- Basic PC skills and familiarity with MS Office and Google Suite
- Willingness to complete and abide by safety training
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience operating and making minor repairs to drip irrigation systems
- Demonstrated knowledge of composting
- Experience working in a crowded urban park
3. BS in Turfgrass Management with 6 years of Experience
- Experience performing a variety of intermediate to advanced landscape maintenance duties - mowing, trimming, and pruning of lawns, shrubs, and trees.
- Experience in maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and installing automatic and central irrigation systems.
- Experience performing specialized tasks, i.e., high tree pruning, tree removal greater than 15ft, and stump grinding.
- Ability to use chemicals and fertilizers common to the trade and to spot spray weeds in the landscape.
- Experience operating all standard equipment and tools for gardening tasks, including bike path sweeper, wood chippers, aerial platform equipment, tractors, trenching equipment, and motor vehicles.
- Demonstrated customer service and communication skills, and the ability to work independently or as a team member, interacting well with others.
- Basic computer skills to input timekeeping and complete web-based training and standard reports.
- Proficient in the use of hand tools, power tools, of the landscape trade.
- Understanding of permitting requirements for above and below ground.
- Knowledge of and experience with pesticides and fertilizers common to the landscape trade.
- Experience with spray equipment, including up to a 160-gallon truck tank for weed abatement, and certified by the State of California to apply pesticides.
- Experience in making independent decisions, solving problems, determining workload, safety training, and preparing reports.