Landscaping is highly accessible — most companies hire seasonally without requiring prior experience. The trade ranges from basic lawn maintenance to complex hardscape installation and planting design. Starting on a maintenance crew teaches the foundational skills while getting paid. Work is physically demanding and weather-dependent, but skilled landscapers who can install as well as maintain earn significantly more than maintenance-only workers.
You can run a maintenance route independently, identify common plants, maintain and troubleshoot irrigation systems, prune correctly for the species and season, and perform basic hardscape work. Ready to take on installation projects. This represents 1–2 years of experience.
You can design, install, and maintain complex outdoor spaces across all categories. You understand plants, soils, drainage, hardscape, and irrigation systems well enough to diagnose problems and build lasting solutions. You have the skills to run your own business or lead large crews. This represents 5+ years of focused, progressive experience.