Landscaping Job Description: Key Duties, Skills and Career Overview (South Africa)

A clear, well‑structured landscaping job description helps employers attract suitable candidates and gives job seekers an accurate picture of what to expect from the role. In South Africa, landscaping work ranges from basic garden maintenance to the design and construction of complex outdoor spaces for residential, commercial and public environments.

This guide provides an overview of the landscaping role, typical responsibilities, required skills and qualifications, using information from credible South African and international sources.

Overview of the Landscaping Role

Landscaping generally refers to the planning, creation and ongoing care of outdoor spaces, including gardens, lawns, parks and commercial grounds. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, landscaping workers (often grouped as “grounds maintenance workers”) install and maintain plants, lawns and outdoor features to keep properties attractive and functional, working in environments such as private homes, office parks, sports facilities and public spaces (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Grounds Maintenance Workers).

In the South African context, landscaping roles commonly sit within the broader “horticulture and landscaping services” sub‑sector of the Environmental Practice field. The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) notes that landscaping and horticulture services focus on the establishment and maintenance of plants and outdoor environments for aesthetic, recreational and functional purposes (SAQA – Environmental Practice sub‑sectors).

Job titles may include:

• Landscaper
• Landscape gardener
• Landscape maintenance worker
• Grounds maintenance worker
• Horticulture and landscaping assistant

While smaller employers may combine several functions into one role, larger organisations sometimes distinguish between landscape design, installation, and maintenance.

Key Responsibilities in a Landscaping Job Description

Although exact duties vary by employer and job level, typical responsibilities found in landscaping job descriptions include:

1. Garden and Grounds Maintenance

The Western Cape Government’s environmental career information describes landscaping and horticulture workers as responsible for maintaining plants and outdoor spaces, including regular tasks such as mowing, pruning and plant care (Western Cape Government – Horticulture and Landscaping). Common maintenance duties include:

• Mowing, edging and fertilising lawns
• Watering, weeding and mulching garden beds
• Pruning shrubs, hedges and trees to maintain shape and health
• Removing dead plants, leaves and garden waste
• Monitoring plant health and reporting or treating pests and diseases

These tasks aim to keep outdoor areas neat, safe and visually appealing across different seasons.

2. Landscape Installation and Construction

Many landscaping roles involve installing new gardens or upgrading existing outdoor spaces. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that grounds maintenance workers may plant flowers, shrubs and trees, install hardscape features, and lay sod or seed to establish lawns (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Grounds Maintenance Workers). Typical installation duties include:

• Preparing soil by digging, raking and adding compost or other amendments
• Planting trees, shrubs, flowers and groundcovers according to a design plan
• Laying turf, seeding and topdressing lawns
• Installing basic hardscape elements such as edging, garden borders, pathways or simple retaining structures (depending on employer requirements)
• Setting up basic irrigation components under guidance where applicable

Some positions may work under landscape architects or garden designers who supply the overall plan, while landscapers handle the practical implementation.

3. Irrigation and Watering

Effective irrigation is a core element of landscape maintenance. Job profiles for grounds maintenance workers indicate that they may install and maintain sprinkler systems, hoses and other watering equipment to ensure plants receive adequate water (CareerOneStop – Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers). In a typical landscaping job description, irrigation‑related tasks can include:

• Operating manual and automated watering systems
• Adjusting watering schedules to weather and seasonal needs
• Inspecting irrigation lines, sprinklers and hoses for leaks or blockages
• Reporting faults or assisting with basic repairs under supervision

4. Use and Maintenance of Tools and Equipment

Landscaping work relies on a wide range of manual and power tools. Occupational information for the sector highlights the use of mowers, trimmers, blowers and hand tools as part of daily duties (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Grounds Maintenance Workers). A landscaping job description typically includes:

• Safe operation of lawn mowers, brush cutters, hedge trimmers and leaf blowers
• Use of hand tools such as spades, rakes, pruning shears, wheelbarrows and hoes
• Routine cleaning and basic maintenance of tools and equipment
• Reporting defects or damage to machinery

5. Site Cleanliness and Waste Management

Maintaining clean and safe work areas is an important part of the role. The Western Cape Government notes that horticulture and landscaping workers are responsible for the upkeep and tidiness of grounds and gardens (Western Cape Government – Horticulture and Landscaping). Related responsibilities may include:

• Collecting and removing garden refuse and debris
• Sweeping paths and paved areas after maintenance work
• Separating green waste for composting where applicable
• Ensuring tools and materials are stored safely after use

6. Customer Service and Teamwork

Landscaping often involves interacting with clients, residents, or facility users. Career profiles for grounds maintenance workers emphasise that workers may discuss landscaping needs with customers and work as part of a crew under a supervisor or manager (CareerOneStop – Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers). Typical expectations include:

• Following instructions from landscape supervisors or managers
• Communicating progress or issues on site
• Being courteous and professional when working around clients, staff or the public

Skills, Requirements and Working Conditions

1. Education and Training

Formal qualifications are not always required for entry‑level landscaping roles, but relevant training is advantageous. The South African Qualifications Authority lists several horticulture and landscaping‑related qualifications under the Environmental Practice and primary agriculture fields, which provide knowledge of plant care, soil management and environmental practices (SAQA – Environmental Practice sub‑sectors).

Common educational or training pathways include:

• Short courses or certificates in horticulture or landscaping from agricultural colleges or training providers
• Learnerships or apprenticeships in horticulture and landscaping services, where available
• On‑the‑job training under experienced landscapers or supervisors

For roles involving more complex design work, employers may seek candidates with higher qualifications in horticulture, landscape technology or related disciplines.

2. Core Skills and Competencies

The Western Cape Government’s description of horticulture and landscaping careers highlights the need for good plant knowledge, practical skills and an interest in working outdoors (Western Cape Government – Horticulture and Landscaping). Together with international occupational profiles, common skills for a landscaping job description include:

• Plant and soil knowledge: Basic understanding of plant types, growth requirements, and local climate conditions
• Practical gardening skills: Planting, pruning, lawn care and pest management
• Physical stamina: Ability to perform manual labour, lift equipment and work on feet for extended periods (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Grounds Maintenance Workers)
• Attention to detail: Maintaining neat edges, consistent planting patterns and tidy work areas
• Time management: Completing tasks within scheduled timeframes
• Teamwork: Working effectively in crews, following instructions and supporting colleagues

3. Physical and Environmental Requirements

Landscaping is physically demanding and often performed in varied weather conditions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that grounds maintenance workers frequently work outdoors in hot, cold or wet conditions and may be exposed to noise from equipment and potential hazards such as tools and chemicals (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Grounds Maintenance Workers). Typical working conditions in a landscaping job description include:

• Outdoor work in sun, wind and rain
• Repetitive bending, lifting, digging and carrying
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety boots, hearing protection and eye protection
• Compliance with health and safety procedures, especially when using power tools or handling fertilisers and pesticides

4. Licences and Additional Requirements

Depending on the employer and scope of work, additional requirements for landscapers may include:

• A valid driver’s licence to travel between sites or operate light vehicles
• Willingness to work early mornings, weekends or overtime during peak seasons, as noted in many grounds maintenance roles (CareerOneStop – Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers)
• Basic numeracy and literacy for interpreting instructions, measuring fertiliser or pesticide quantities, and reading simple site plans

Employers may also specify background checks or medical fitness assessments for positions in high‑security or physically demanding environments.

Conclusion

A well‑crafted landscaping job description clearly outlines the purpose of the role, typical duties and the skills needed to succeed. In South Africa, landscaping falls within the broader horticulture and environmental services sectors and typically involves a mix of garden maintenance, plant installation, irrigation, equipment operation and site cleanliness, as described by the Western Cape Government and SAQA (Western Cape Government – Horticulture and Landscaping; SAQA – Environmental Practice sub‑sectors).

For employers, being specific about daily tasks, working conditions and required competencies helps attract candidates who are prepared for outdoor, physically active work. For job seekers, understanding the typical responsibilities and requirements associated with a landscaping job description can guide training choices and career planning in this growing and practically oriented field.