How to Be Commercial Landscaper - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 9, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The use of a professional commercial landscaper can have multiple positive effects on businesses. Not only can a landscaper create beautiful outdoor spaces that attract potential customers and increase curb appeal, they can also help reduce energy costs by strategically planting trees and shrubs to provide shade and wind protection. Additionally, a commercial landscaper can improve safety by creating pathways and walkways, eliminating hazardous debris, and properly balancing soil, water, and nutrients to prevent erosion. Overall, the presence of a professional commercial landscaper can lead to increased aesthetic value, energy efficiency, and safety for any business.

Steps How to Become

Get a degree in landscape architecture or related field. Obtaining a degree in landscape architecture or a related field such as horticulture, agronomy, or environmental science will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to become a commercial landscaper.
Complete an internship. Completing an internship will provide you with hands-on experience in the field of commercial landscaping. It may also provide you with useful contacts and references within the industry.
Get certified. Becoming certified in commercial landscaping will demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary knowledge and skills for the job. Many professional organizations offer certification programs.
Start your own business. If you are feeling ambitious, you can start your own commercial landscaping business. You will need to obtain the necessary business licenses and insurance, as well as hire employees and purchase the necessary tools and equipment.
Network and market yourself. Make sure to network with other professionals in the industry and attend industry events and conferences. Additionally, market yourself by creating a website, brochure, and business cards.

A successful commercial landscape requires a good plan, capable team, and quality materials. Planning involves identifying the goals of the project, assessing the sites needs, and analyzing the budget. An ideal team consists of experienced personnel with knowledge of landscape design, construction, and maintenance.

Quality materials are essential for creating a lasting landscape from soil and plants to hardscaping materials, it is important to choose products that are suited for the region and durable for the environment. When all these elements come together, a beautiful and functional commercial landscape can be created.

You may want to check Commercial Kitchen Equipment Technician, Commercial Lines Claims Adjuster, and Commercial Cleaning Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Maintain a safe working environment and adhere to all safety regulations.
Develop and implement landscape designs, including the selection of plants, hardscaping, and other materials.
Plant trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants.
Prune plants and trees using appropriate tools and techniques.
Maintain irrigation systems to ensure proper watering of plants and turf.
Mow lawns and trim edges of turf areas.
Install sod, mulch, stone, and other ground coverings.
Monitor plant health and take corrective action as needed to ensure optimal growth.
Apply fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides to plants and turf as necessary.
Provide regular maintenance and repair of hardscapes, including patios, walkways, and retaining walls.
Perform routine cleaning tasks such as raking leaves, removing debris, and sweeping walkways.
Operate various power tools and equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
Complete job documentation such as invoices, reports, and time cards.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of landscaping principles and techniques.
Knowledge of plant care, including pruning, fertilizing and irrigation.
Ability to read and interpret landscape plans and blueprints.
Knowledge of local soil conditions and weather patterns.
Ability to estimate time, materials and labor required for a project.
Ability to operate and maintain landscaping equipment such as mowers, edgers, blowers and pruners.
Knowledge of safety procedures and hazardous materials handling.
Ability to plan, organize and prioritize multiple tasks.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong customer service skills.
Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Having a strong background in landscape design and maintenance is essential for those wanting to pursue a career as a commercial landscaper. Understanding the techniques and materials required to create and maintain landscapes is key to being successful in this field. Knowing how to properly use and care for various equipment, such as mowers, trimmers, and blowers, is also important.

having knowledge of the types of plants, flowers, and trees that are suitable for a specific area, as well as how to care for them, is essential. Finally, it is important to have strong organizational skills in order to keep track of the various tasks that are required to be completed. All of these skills, when combined, make up the foundation of a successful and effective commercial landscaper.

Commercial Electrical Contractor, Commercial Litigation Attorney, and Commercial Flooring Installer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in commercial landscaping?
How would you handle a difficult customer or project?
What strategies do you use to increase customer satisfaction?
Describe a time when you had to work on a tight deadline.
What safety protocols do you have in place when working on a commercial landscape project?
What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful commercial landscaper?
How do you ensure accuracy in measurements when creating a landscape plan?
How do you stay up to date with the latest landscaping techniques and trends?
Do you have experience with using specialized landscaping equipment?
How do you stay organized when managing multiple projects?

Common Tools in Industry

Wheelbarrow. A two-wheeled cart used for transporting materials such as soil, stones, and shrubbery (eg: moving soil from one side of the garden to another).
Shovel. A handheld tool used to dig, scoop, and lift soil, mulch, and other materials (eg: digging a hole for a new shrub).
Rake. A handheld tool used to collect leaves, grass clippings, and other debris (eg: gathering leaves from the lawn).
Pruning Shears. A handheld tool used to trim branches and shrubs (eg: trimming a shrub to give it a desired shape).
Sod Cutter. A motorized tool used to cut and remove sod (eg: removing grass for a pathway).
Spreader. A handheld tool used to spread fertilizers, grass seed, and other materials (eg: spreading fertilizer over the lawn).
Edger. A handheld tool used to create a defined edge between different sections of a lawn or garden (eg: creating clean edges between the lawn and flower beds).
Leaf Blower. A motorized tool used to blow leaves and other debris away from hard surfaces (eg: clearing fallen leaves from a patio).
Hose. A flexible tube used to water plants and landscapes (eg: watering newly planted shrubs).
Sprinkler. A motorized tool used to water large areas such as lawns (eg: irrigating the entire lawn).

Professional Organizations to Know

Association of Professional Landscape Designers
Professional Grounds Management Society
American Society of Landscape Architects
National Association of Landscape Professionals
American Horticultural Society
International Society of Arboriculture
International Erosion Control Association
American Society of Irrigation Consultants
National Turfgrass Evaluation Program
American Landscape Contractors Association

We also have Commercial Property Maintenance Technician, Commercial Credit Analyst, and Commercial Mortgage Underwriter jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Landscaping. Landscaping is the art of designing and creating outdoor spaces and features that enhance the aesthetic appeal of a property. These features may include lawns, trees, shrubs, hardscaping, lighting, and other decorative elements.
Hardscaping. Hardscaping is the use of non-living elements such as brick, stone, and concrete to create structural elements in landscaping projects like patios, walkways, and retaining walls.
Irrigation. Irrigation is the use of water to help maintain healthy plants in a landscape. This can include sprinkler systems, drip systems, and manual watering.
Planting. Planting involves the selection and placement of plants and other vegetation in landscaping. This includes trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants.
Pruning. Pruning is the practice of trimming plants in order to improve their health and appearance. This may include removing dead or overgrown branches, as well as shaping and thinning out plants.
Fertilizing. Fertilizing is the application of nutrients to soil in order to improve the health and growth of plants.
Soil Preparation. Soil preparation is the process of preparing soil for planting by removing weeds, loosening the soil, adding organic matter, and testing for pH levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does a commercial landscaper provide?

A commercial landscaper typically provides lawn and garden care services such as mowing, edging, trimming, planting, mulching, fertilizing, and weed control.

How often should a commercial property be landscaped?

The frequency of landscaping depends on the type of property and the desired results, but generally a commercial property should be landscaped at least twice a year.

What type of plants does a commercial landscaper use?

A commercial landscaper will typically use a variety of plants that are suited to the climate and soil type of the area. This may include trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and groundcover.

What type of equipment does a commercial landscaper use?

A commercial landscaper may use a variety of tools and equipment, such as mowers, trimmers, edgers, blowers, shovels, rakes, trowels, and pruners.

What qualifications does a commercial landscaper need?

A commercial landscaper should have knowledge and experience in horticulture, turf management, and landscape design. They should also be knowledgeable about local laws and regulations related to landscaping.

Web Resources

Commercial Landscape - Environmental Horticulture - University hort.ifas.ufl.edu
Commercial Landscape and Nursery | Department of Horticulture www.uky.edu
Commercial Landscapes - Urban Integrated Pest ucanr.edu