Garden Centre life

[Pootle]

I've always fancied working in a garden centre; it seems like such a relaxed, stress-free and enjoyable environment. How do I go about pursuing such a career, is it well paid? Are there any courses that would help?

[acw]

It's still customer service!!  You'll still get wailing children and horrible people some days. 

I wouldn't think it's as much of a breeze as you say. 

Working in a nursery might be more relaxing.  All the plants, but none of the customers!!!!

I also don't think garden centre work is hugely well paid.  With no offence to anyone who works in one, it's basically still just retail work - and that's always been underpaid. 

http://www.grovelands.com/garden_centre_jobs_and_job_vacancies.htm

Here's the fist answer when googling "garden centre job".

If it's your dream - then good luck and go for it!! :-)

[twiglet4frog]

I was a manager of a garden centre for 2 years and i have to say i loved it. I had a more hands on role of the shop and other areas than the plants but it was fun and is actually an all year round business and not just a summer one that most imagine.

I never had anything other than retail experience and i found that we only really needed experience or qualifications if we were employing plant experts, however for every plant expert we had there were 2 or 3 non-experts used for watering, potting up and moving plants around duties.

My advice would be if u want to be involved in the plants side of things then by a "Garden Expert" book or 3 on plants and study all about them so u have a very good basic knowledge on what plants look like, what times of year they grow and flower etc as at the end of the day customers dont expect experts, but just someone who knows a little about what they are buying and how to look after them. Also a reasonable level of fitness would be ideal and be prepared to get Hot, Cold, Wet, Bored as it can be an all weathers job and in summer is as much about standing with a hosepipe watering for 3 or 4 hours as it is making displays!

[twiglet4frog]

oh and going with ACW, yeah it isnt much more than minimum wage to be honest. So if u want to have huge career prospects and big salaries then i wouldnt bother.

Best time for applying for positions is usually march as this is when they are rehiring staff ready for the big easter weekend which is the start of Summer for a garden centre, and this period finishes around about September/October with summer sales.

[acw]

Sounds like it can be a lot of fun if you really love your gardens though.  My parents seem to spend every weekend in a garden centre - I think my Mum would love to work in one, if her back (and the mortgage) was up to it!

[admarlow]

i used to work in a garden xcenter I knew nothing about plants etc, but you soon pick up things, pay was better that a most of my mates were getting doing saturday jobs for big shops etc..

[GeeH]

Garden Centre Jobs - Great Idea! - You can see a list of jobs on www.bloominggoodjobs.com and this will give you an idea of salaries. You would be well advised to find a horticultural job which includes day release at a technical college or other in-house training. A love of horticulture will help!