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Horticultural manager

Alternative titles for this job include Garden centre manager

A horticultural manager grows plants for use in parks, gardens and public spaces.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£34,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

44 to 46 a week

You could work

weekends on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • a graduate training scheme

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

  • horticulture and management
  • commercial horticulture
  • horticulture and plant science

Work experience during university

Employers value work experience so it's important to get as much as you can during your studies. 

You could choose a course that includes a placement or internship. Your university careers service can also help you find work experience. 

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could work towards this role by doing a college course in a relevant subject like:

  • level 3 Diploma in Horticulture
  • level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
  • level 4 Diploma in Horticultural Practice

You could also get a qualification from The Royal Horticulture Society.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a horticulture supervisor advanced apprenticeship to work towards a management role.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as a horticultural worker to get experience and work your way up to a management role.

Other Routes

Some larger companies have graduate schemes working with fresh food, produce and crops.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can find out more about careers in horticulture from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a horticultural careers from The Royal Horticultural Society and The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of biology
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • business management skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • the ability to motivate and manage staff
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

On a typical day you might:

  • prepare and update business plans
  • manage staff and budgets, analyse costs and make sure health and safety procedures are followed
  • develop new products and negotiate with suppliers
  • design layouts and develop planting programmes
  • decide when to plant and harvest crops
  • manage pests, disease and weed control

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a garden centre.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a horticultural manager right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Horticulture Level 3

  • Provider: ACTIVATE LEARNING
  • Start date: 11 September 2025
  • Location: Guildford

Level 3 RHS Certificate in Practical Horticulture

  • Provider: THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 04 September 2025
  • Location: Maidenhead
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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