In their work, plant pathologists cooperate with plant breeders, crop managers, insect, and weed specialists in developing integrated, environmentally sound approaches to managing crops and their pests.
 
Working together with other specialists, plant pathologists contribute to the production of a stronger economy, safer foodstuffs, a cleaner environment, conservation of soil and water resources, and the health of workers in farms, gardens, and landscapes.

Plant pathologists and bioengineers also work closely together to develop disease-resistant plant varieties, preserving food from spoilage, developing new strains of organisms for biological control, and even in developing composting processes for solid waste disposal.

Information source: http://www.apsnet.org/careers/careers.asp

The work covers many kinds of projects, in both urban and rural areas and can range from designing the layout of parks, gardens and housing estates, to city centre design and improving land affected by mining or motorway construction. A landscape architect collaborates closely with landscape contractors, as well as other professionals, especially architects, planners, environmentalists and people working in surveying and engineering functions. The typical work activities for a landscape architect include some or all of the following:

• overseeing the design of a variety of projects, including urban regeneration schemes, pedestrian walkways, road-side spaces and areas around shopping centres.
• working with and highlighting the natural beauty  in an area 
• establishing general landscape requirements with clients; conducting preliminary studies of the site (including contours, soil, ecology, buildings, roads)
• assessing a site’s potential to meet the client’s specifications; carrying out environmental impact assessments; seeking and taking into account the views of local residents, potential users, and parties with a vested interest in the project
• presenting proposals to clients, dealing with their enquiries and negotiating any amendments to proceed to final design
• matching the client’s wishes with your knowledge of what will work best
• accurately preparing and presenting detailed plans and working drawings, including applications, construction details and specifications for the project
• contacting and co-ordinating manufacturers and suppliers;
• putting work out to tender, selecting a contractor and manager (mainly for larger projects), and leading cross-functional teams
• ensuring deadlines are met; liaising with other professionals on the project; monitoring and checking work on-site (on large projects, landscape managers are brought in to do this supervisory work)
• authorising payment once work has been satisfactorily completed
• attending public inquiries to give evidence if necessary
• generating new business opportunities.

National and provincial parks boards, fertiliser manufacturers, mining companies, educational institutions, commercial farms, self-emplo

What is a Horticulturist?

A Horticulturist uses their scientific knowledge and experience to grow and propagate (breed) plants mainly for human and non-human uses. This can be done on a small scale as well as on a large scale like crop farming.   

Horticulture is very diverse and covers a variety of different plants from mushrooms, to flowers, to fruits & vegetables etc.

Besides propagation, horticulture can also include landscaping, conservation, rehabilitation, design, soil science, entomology and many other sciences and disciplines. 

Horticulturist may specialise in one area like landscaping, rehabilitation or research etc.

• CLICK HERE to meet Sisanda Velembo, a horticulturist

What does a Horticulturist do?

• researches various aspects of growth, yield and performance in plants
• develops new plant varieties
• researches and designs storage methods
• provides technical and other information to farmers
• conducts experiments and investigations into pest and disease control
• works in the field
• assists mining companies with the rehabilitation of mined land
• works with grass turfs for example – sports fields, cricket pitches, etc
• landscapes
• keeps up to  date with technologies
• manages staff

Are you . . . ?

• happy working outdoors?
• very fit and physical active?
• interested in plants?
• interested in research?
• passionate about nature and conservation?
• patient?

How do I become a Horticulturist?

If you are interested in working with plants – you could start your career as a nursery worker.  In a nursery you can learn as you go and pick up a lot of experience.  In some cases, the nursery may even send you on courses if you show enough enthusiasm and work hard.

Here are some institutions that offer training in Horticulture.

• CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Offers a 3 year, full-time National Diploma in Horticulture and a Baccalaureus Technologiae in Horticulture

http://www.cput.ac.za/academic/faculties/appliedsciences/prospectus/course?i=195&seo=TkQ6IEhPUlRJQ1VMVFVSRQ==

• TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Offers a National Diploma in Horticulture

• DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

National Diploma: Horticulture
BTECH: Horticulture

http://www.tut.ac.za/Students/facultiesdepartments/science/departments/horticulture/Pages/default.aspx

• UNISA

N Dip: Ornamental Horticulture

http://www.unisa.ac.za/qualifications/index.asp?link=http://www.unisa.ac.za/qualifications/Qualifications/98025.html

N Dip: Horticulture (NDHRTC)
B Tech: Horticulture (BTHORT)

• INTEC:  (Countrywide)

Offers an 18 month – INTEC Gardening and Horticulture Certificate

http://www.intec.edu.za/course/P502/intec-gardening-and-horticulture-certificate/

Minimum requirements:  Grade 10 or equivalent

Other ways you can study to get into Horticulture is taking up training and studies in agriculture.  See careers under agriculture for more information.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Floriculturist or Florist

Is becoming a Horticulturist the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 611303

Other names for Greenskeeper:

Golf Course Superintendent
Grounds Maintainer
Groundskeeper
Turf Curator
Turf Keeper
Turf Manager

What is a Greenskeeper?

A Greenskeeper is a specialised ‘gardener’ who generally works on golf courses.

Golf courses need very specialised care.

There are so many areas that the Greenskeeper has to look after:

• The large expansive lawns (fairways) need to be cared for and mowed
• Bunkers
• Ponds / Streams
• Trees
• Irrigation
• Fertilising / Pesticides
  
• Flags & Markers etc
  

What does a Greenskeeper do?

• constantly monitors the whole golf course
• checks for damage, pests, etc
• mows the fairways (or monitors staff)
• rakes bunkers
• removes weeds
• checks the irrigation is working efficiently
• removes trash from ponds
• checks flags are in good order and in the right holes
• checks for alien vegetation or pests or disease and treats accordingly
• plants new plants or grass
• fertilises
• makes changes to course, when required
• trims tree branches
• prepares course for matches
• repairs golf course after storm damage
  

Are you . . . ?

• interested in a mainly outdoor career?
• interested in plants and nature?
• willing to work in all weather conditions?
• observant?
• reliable and responsible?
• a team player?
• a person with ‘green’ fingers?
• hard working?

How do I become a Greenskeeper?

There are many paths to becoming a Greenskeeper:

PATH 1

• Work alongside a professional Groundskeeper and learn through work experience

PATH 2

• Study landscaping or horticulture
• Work at a golf club and get work experience and skills

PATH 3

• Some place will offer short courses on Greenkeeping:

• CLICK HERE: SAQA – Assist in the Greenkeeping of Golf Course Maintenance

• THE TURF GRASS MANAGERS ASSOCIATION (TGMA)

http://www.tgmagauteng.co.za/

• SILVERLAKES GOLF ACADEMY

International Greenkeeping Qualification (full time)

http://www.silverlakes.co.za/golf-club/golf-academy (click on Full Time Curriculum)

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Gardener / Groundkeeper or Botanist

Is becoming a Greenskeeper the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 213106 

What is a Botanist? 

Botany is an ancient science. Botanists study plant biology, including fungi and algae. They also study the relationship of plants with their environment and other living organisms.  

DID YOU KNOW?  

• South African has a serious shortage of skilled professionals and trained technicians in the plant industry! 

Plants are extremely important to the world and to everyone’s lives. They are used in food, drugs, manufacturing (materials) etc. Botany serves an important role in providing the world with nutrition and medicine.

There are many different fields of specialised botany:

Aboriculturist

• Studies the propagation of trees

Agronomist – CLICK HERE

• Studies the science of crop production

Bryologists – CLICK HERE

• Studies mosses

Drendrologist

• Studies woody plants, shrubs and trees

Enthobiologists

• Studies the role and relationships beween plants and humans (cultures)

Floriculturist – CLICK HERE

• Studies the cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants for gardens, floral industry and for export

Forester – CLICK HERE

• Studies forest management and related studies

Horticulturist – CLICK HERE

• Studies the propagation of garden plants

Marine Botanist

• Studies aquatic plants and algae

Mycologist – CLICK HERE

• Studies fungi

Paleobotanists

• Studies plant fossils

Pharming Botanist

• Studies the genetic engineering of plants to produce pharmaceuticals

Phycologists

• Studies algae

Plant Geneticist

• Studies the heredity and genetics of plants

Plant Pathologist

• Studies disease in plants

Plant Physiologist

• Studies the physical functions of plants

Pomologist

• Studies fruits and nuts

Taxonomist

• Researches, identifyies, names and classifies plants

Botanists are very good at research. It’s a very important part of their job. Botanists usually work both outdoors and in a laboratory. Some Botanists even travel locally and overseas to do research and/or discover new plants.

What does a Botanist do?

• travels to different locations study plants in their natural environment
• collects plant samples and other data
• studies plants under a microscope
• conducts experiments on plants
• writes reports
• attends conferences
• liaises with other plant specialists
• acts as a consultant to companies when necessary

Are you . . . ?

• passionate about plants?
• a person who loves nature?
• scientifically minded?
• inquisitive?
• self-motivated?
• willing to work in all weather conditions?
• detail orientated?

How do I become a Botanist?

• SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE (SANBI)

For a critical jobs list and for places to study various aspects of Botany in South Africa, CLICK HERE

http://www.sanbi.org/

There a numerous careers involving plants – which means there are a number of paths to study.

UNIVERSITIES of TECHNOLOGY and COLLEGES

National Diplomas can be done in (for example):

• Horticulture
• Nature Conservation
• Forestry
• Floriculture etc

CLICK HERE to find a training institution near you.

UNIVERSITIES:

Bachelor of Science degrees (BSc) can be done in biological sciences at most SA universities.

CLICK HERE to find a university near you.

DID YOU KNOW?

Many institutions offer opportunities for in-house training, internships, volunteer / vacation work and short contract employment.

• NATIONAL BOTANICAL SOCIETIES, SA

http://www.botanicalsociety.org.za/SitePages/Home.aspx

• SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF BOTANISTS (SAAB)

http://sabotany.co.za.www22.cpt3.host-h.net/

OTHER CAREER TO CONSIDER: Horticulturist, Forestry or Floriculturist

Is becoming a Botanist the right career choice for me?

04.02.2015 – Posted on Facebook

OFO No: 821401

Other names for Garden Worker:

Garden Services Worker
Lawn Mower

What is a Garden Worker?

A Garden Worker helps private people or garden maintenance companies with the maintenance of gardens.

What does a Garden Worker do?

• maintains gardens
• trims and weeds
• mows lawns
• prunes roses, hedges and trees
• puts compost on flowerbeds and in pots
• sprays pesticide
• plants bulbs, shrubs and trees
• removes garden rubbish

Are you . . . ?

• interested in an outdoor job?
• interested in gardening?
• physically fit?
• hard working?
• reliable?
• trustworthy?
• willing to learn?

How do I become a Garden Worker?

You do not need any formal training.

You can learn on the job.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Chemical Plant Worker or Solar Installer

Is becoming a Garden Worker the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 611303

Other names for Gardener / Grounds Keeper:

Golf Course Superintendent
Grounds Maintainer
Turf Curator
Turf Keeper
Turf Manager

What is a Gardener / Grounds Keeper?

Gardeners / Grounds Keepers can work for:

• Cemeteries
• Parks
• Golf courses
• Other Sports Fields
• Arboretums
• Botanical Gardens
• Schools
• Zoos
• Museums
• Complexes / Company Gardens
• Shopping Centres etc

Some Gardener / Grounds Keeper may work for landscaping companies or may even work for themselves.

What does a Gardener / Grounds Keeper do?

(this will depend on the season)

• prepare the soil (dig in compost etc)
• plant bulbs, flowers, shrubs, trees etc
• lays and mows lawn
• keeps soil in good condition
• prunes roses and other plants
• uses chemicals or natural pesticides
• waters and ‘feeds’ plants and lawns
• puts down mulch (eg wood chips) to resist drought
• removes leaves, old branches and dead plants
• treats diseases
• paints garden furniture / garden ornaments / fences etc
• repairs equipment (rakes, hoes, spades etc)
• collects scraps and makes compost

Are you … ?

• interested in working mainly outdoors?
• interested in plants?
• willing to work in all weather conditions?
• interested in nature?
• observant?
• physically fit?
• a hard worker?
• responsible and reliable?

How do I become Gardener / Grounds Keeper?

PATH 1

• You are self taught because your passion runs really deep
• You have learned your skills and collected experience by working alongside a professional like a qualified landscaper

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Horticulturist or Solar Installer

Is becoming a Gardener / Grounds Keeper the right career choice for me?