What Do Landscapers Do? Landscaping Jobs, Skills, Pay and How to Become a Landscaper
What landscapers do day to day
In this article
Landscapers create and maintain outdoor spaces: they mow and edge lawns, plant and prune trees, shrubs and flowers, lay mulch and sod, install patios, walkways and retaining walls (hardscaping), set up and repair irrigation, and handle seasonal work like leaf clean-up and snow removal for homes, businesses and public spaces.
Typical landscaping tasks
| Category | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Lawn care | Mowing, edging, fertilising, aeration, overseeding |
| Planting | Trees, shrubs, flowers, sod |
| Garden maintenance | Pruning, weeding, mulching, bed edging |
| Hardscaping | Patios, walkways, walls, steps, edging |
| Irrigation | Install, repair, seasonal start-up/shut-down |
| Seasonal | Spring clean-ups, leaf removal, snow removal |
| Design/installation | New landscapes from plans |
Landscaper vs landscape designer vs landscape architect
| Role | Focus |
|---|---|
| Landscaper | Installs and maintains landscapes |
| Landscape designer | Designs residential gardens and outdoor spaces |
| Landscape architect | Licensed professional designing larger sites (parks, campuses, urban spaces), including grading and drainage |
Skills and tools
Plant knowledge, equipment operation (mowers, trimmers, skid steers), physical stamina, attention to detail, safety practices, basic design sense, customer service. Tools range from hand tools to power equipment.
Pay
Pay varies by location, experience and role; crew leaders, irrigation technicians, hardscape specialists and business owners usually earn more than entry-level labourers.
How to become a landscaper
- Join a landscaping crew to learn on the job
- Learn plants, equipment and safety
- Get certifications (horticulture, pesticide applicator, irrigation) where relevant
- Specialise (hardscape, irrigation, design)
- Start your own business when ready (see How to start a landscaping business)
Frequently asked questions
What do landscapers do?
They install and maintain outdoor spaces: lawn care, planting, pruning, mulching, hardscaping, irrigation and seasonal clean-ups.
Is landscaping a good career?
It can be, especially for people who enjoy outdoor work; specialists, crew leaders and business owners can earn more.
Do landscapers need a licence?
Basic landscaping often doesn't, but pesticide application, irrigation and larger construction may require licences depending on location.
What is the difference between a landscaper and a landscape architect?
Landscapers install and maintain landscapes; landscape architects are licensed professionals who design larger and more technical sites.
What skills do landscapers need?
Plant knowledge, equipment skills, physical fitness, safety awareness, attention to detail and customer service.
Can landscapers start their own business?
Yes; many start with mowing and maintenance and grow into design and installation.
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AI & automation engineer · websites, apps and motion design
I build AI agents, automations, websites, apps and motion design for businesses. These guides answer the questions people actually search, written from hands-on experience building them.
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