Gardeners are hired to look after and maintain gardens in public areas and private gardens. Their job includes planting and caring for trees, lawns, shrubs and flower beds.

Floriade - Canberra is famous for its Spring flowers and garden beds looked after by a team of Gardeners.

Gardeners may perform some or all of the following tasks:

• prepare areas for new garden beds or lawn areas by cultivating the soil and adding fertilisers and organic matter such as compost
• plant and transplant flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns
• maintain gardens by weeding, watering regularly, mulching, fertilising and trimming
• prune trees and hedges
• thin out, weed, hoe, irrigate and fertilise crops
• maintain and promote growth of lawn and grass areas using machinery, fertilisers and chemicals
• identify and treat pests and diseases on plants
• read landscape plans and construct rockeries, paths or ponds
• service equipment such as tools, lawn mowers and sometimes heavy machinery
• install, maintain and operate irrigation and drainage systems

Gardeners and horticultural workers work outdoors most of the time and in all kinds of weather.

Protective clothing must be used if handling fertilisers and pesticides, and to prevent injury while using machinery.

Some gardeners specialise in a particular field of horticulture. Arboriculture Workers - care for and maintain trees in urban environments. Floriculturists - produce fresh and dried flowers and foliage for wholesale flower markets, florists and retail outlets. Greenkeepers - are also known as groundspersons or turf keepers. They prepare, establish and manage fine turf, grassed areas and synthetic surfaces used for sport, for example: golf courses or cricket pitches. Landscape Gardeners - design and construct garden landscapes or renovate existing gardens. Nursery Workers - grow and sell plants. Retail nurseries sell to the general public and offer advice on plants and products.