It seems that I maybe the only Horticulturist on beBee at the moment! so to give some people a better understanding of what a Horticulturist is and does (unless some already know!) I have put this article together; which I have tried to keep interesting, but unfortunately it may not be for some!!
So here we go….We the horticulturists are people that use the knowledge of science to cultivate and propagate plants, we may also conduct studies with pests and diseases that may improve the resistance of plants to disease, and we may also work in the area of landscape design which basically means that we create gardens, recreational areas, and new parks.
Horticulture is actually a branch of agriculture but mainly deals with plant life, it basically involves the management of gardens and parks, although horticulture and landscape architecture seem similar, there are some variations between the two.
Landscape architects have the knowledge of how to design beautiful layouts for public gardens and parks, but we horticulturists go one step further because we know the science behind the different plants and flowers, this is because the horticultural science sector has carried out research into gardening and landscaping, the propagation and breeding of plants and plant physiology, so the work of horticulturists involves flowers, trees, shrubs, turf, and soil management to name but a few.
We horticulturists may carry out different roles, but generally we are the people that are the experts in the growth of plants, but we can also work in various sectors, below are a few of the different kinds of work that a horticulturist may be involved in:
Research
Some horticulturists are employed in plant research, learning about plant evolution and development under natural conditions, then there are plant geneticists these people experiment with plants to produce new generations through artificial selection that have more desirable qualities, these types of horticulturists use laboratory equipment and other complex techniques to study plants in great detail.
Landscaping
We may work alongside construction and landscaping companies to design and develop the soft landscape for a specific site; and would advise the client of the correct plant species and irrigation techniques that will maintain the look and integrity of the new plantings.
Administrative
It’s not all digging around or mowing lawns, we have to make sure that our place of work is kept in accordance with the proper horticultural policies, regulations and standards, we may have to supervise landscapers and gardeners to make sure that the proper procedures are actually being followed, there is also the responsibility for the planning and implementation of new projects that fit within a set budget.
Oh, let’s not forget education because a very experienced horticulturist may work in the education sector, becoming a professor and teaching students who are interested in a future horticultural career, we may even write for publications such as newspapers.
In general though working in horticulture involves a lot of hands on work be it planting, or pruning, there is a lot of physical work involved, and while we horticulturists tend to keep regular hours, we do get far busier from Spring through to the end of Summer….hopefully this has highlighted the point that there is far more to being an horticulturist than just mowing the lawn or trimming a hedge! Follow me on www.bebee.com/ where you are welcome to not join my Hive and find out more....Horticulture UK
Picture Credit: pixabay.com
Andrew Porter (Horticulturist) Copyright All Rights Reserved 2016
So here we go….We the horticulturists are people that use the knowledge of science to cultivate and propagate plants, we may also conduct studies with pests and diseases that may improve the resistance of plants to disease, and we may also work in the area of landscape design which basically means that we create gardens, recreational areas, and new parks.
Horticulture is actually a branch of agriculture but mainly deals with plant life, it basically involves the management of gardens and parks, although horticulture and landscape architecture seem similar, there are some variations between the two.
Landscape architects have the knowledge of how to design beautiful layouts for public gardens and parks, but we horticulturists go one step further because we know the science behind the different plants and flowers, this is because the horticultural science sector has carried out research into gardening and landscaping, the propagation and breeding of plants and plant physiology, so the work of horticulturists involves flowers, trees, shrubs, turf, and soil management to name but a few.
We horticulturists may carry out different roles, but generally we are the people that are the experts in the growth of plants, but we can also work in various sectors, below are a few of the different kinds of work that a horticulturist may be involved in:
Research
Some horticulturists are employed in plant research, learning about plant evolution and development under natural conditions, then there are plant geneticists these people experiment with plants to produce new generations through artificial selection that have more desirable qualities, these types of horticulturists use laboratory equipment and other complex techniques to study plants in great detail.
Landscaping
We may work alongside construction and landscaping companies to design and develop the soft landscape for a specific site; and would advise the client of the correct plant species and irrigation techniques that will maintain the look and integrity of the new plantings.
Administrative
It’s not all digging around or mowing lawns, we have to make sure that our place of work is kept in accordance with the proper horticultural policies, regulations and standards, we may have to supervise landscapers and gardeners to make sure that the proper procedures are actually being followed, there is also the responsibility for the planning and implementation of new projects that fit within a set budget.
Oh, let’s not forget education because a very experienced horticulturist may work in the education sector, becoming a professor and teaching students who are interested in a future horticultural career, we may even write for publications such as newspapers.
In general though working in horticulture involves a lot of hands on work be it planting, or pruning, there is a lot of physical work involved, and while we horticulturists tend to keep regular hours, we do get far busier from Spring through to the end of Summer….hopefully this has highlighted the point that there is far more to being an horticulturist than just mowing the lawn or trimming a hedge! Follow me on www.bebee.com/ where you are welcome to not join my Hive and find out more....Horticulture UK
Picture Credit: pixabay.com
Andrew Porter (Horticulturist) Copyright All Rights Reserved 2016