Horticulturist Gardener or Landscape Operative Apprenticeship
THE CHELSEA LANDSCAPE GARDENER LTD
London (SW3 6NR)
Closes on Tuesday 1 September 2026
Posted on 9 July 2026
Contents
Summary
As an apprentice gardener, you will maintain and enhance various
outdoor spaces. Your responsibilities will include
assisting experienced gardeners in tasks such as
planting, weeding, pruning, and landscaping. You will
have the opportunity to learn valuable skills in
horticulture and the upkeep of gardens.
- Wage
-
£13,312 to £21,149.44, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
You will be required to
work from 7:30am to
5pm for 3 or 4 days per
week and attend one
day training at Capel
Manor College. This
might include evenings
and weekends paid
extra.
32 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 15 September 2026
- Duration
-
2 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Assist in planting and maintaining flowers, shrubs,
and trees to ensure they thrive in London's diverse
climate.
Help with weeding and pest control to maintain
the health and appearance of garden beds.
Participate in seasonal tasks, such as leaf
removal, mulching, and snow clearing as needed.
Learn and apply proper pruning techniques to
shape and promote the growth of plants.
Work with various gardening tools and equipment
safely and effectively.
Collaborate with the gardening team to plan and
execute landscaping projects.
Interact with clients and visitors, providing
information and assistance when necessary.
Where you'll work
The Chelsea Landscape Gardener
125 Sydney Street
Chelsea
London
SW3 6NR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CAPEL MANOR COLLEGE
Training course
Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- (Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).
- (Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.
- (Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
- (Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
- (Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
- (Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
- (Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
- (Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
- (Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
- (Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
- (Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
- (Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
- (Core) Install turf for situation.
- (Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
- (Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
- (Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.
- (Landscape construction) Measure and set out an uncomplicated site in preparation for landscape construction activities.
- (Landscape construction) Use free hand cutting and or bench cutting of hard landscape materials using abrasive wheels.
- (Landscape construction) Repair constructed landscape features (simple and noncomplex) for example re-grouting, re-sanding, damaged fencing.
- (Landscape construction) Construct paved feature for example path, patio or shed base. Including setting levels, sub bases, laying bases, finishing.
- (Landscape construction) Construct vertical landscape features including fences, ornamental vertical features, and walls.
- (Landscape construction) Install drainage in landscaping.
- (Landscape construction) Construct horizontal landscape features (excluding paving).
- (Horticulture) Propagate plants by cuttings and seed sowing (this might be indoors or outdoors). Including selection of suitable growing media and or soil.
- (Horticulture) Provide aftercare to recently installed turf and maintain established turf or species rich meadows including irrigation, maintenance, monitoring health and protection from use.
- (Horticulture) Identify if plants are suitable to site, purpose and aesthetics.
- (Horticulture) Maintain soft landscapes for example - staking or support, division, seasonal clearance, and re-planting.
- (Horticulture) Monitor and control plant pests, pathogens, and disorders using basic control methods (including application of chemicals or organic equivalents).
- (Horticulture) Plant herbaceous and seasonal planting (for example bedding, herbs or bulbs).
- (Horticulture) Prune plants to achieve healthy growth and form (including natural habit and formal or trained form).
- (Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).
- (Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.
- (Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
- (Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
- (Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
- (Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
- (Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
- (Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
- (Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
- (Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
- (Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
- (Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
- (Core) Install turf for situation.
- (Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
- (Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
- (Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.
Training schedule
Horticulture Operative
College one day a week
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 2)
- Maths (grade 2)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
The role is physically demanding,
throughout all variances of weather.
Other aspects of the work include
early starts, able to cope with regular
physical work. Heavy Lifting.
About this employer
The Chelsea Gardener has become over more than
30 years an oasis of green in the middle of Chelsea, a
true and unique destination for inspiring and
innovative ideas, helping customers to make the
most of their outdoor space. We provide the best
outdoor furniture, garden essentials, gifts and
decorations, plants and pots. Utilising our expertise
and contacts, we offer a full landscaping service,
providing clients with design solutions, overseeing
the implementation of the designs and offering on
going maintenance service. In addition, The Chelsea
Gardener provides creative ideas for customers
through the sourcing of high quality and unique
products.
http://www.chelseagardener.com (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Cycle 2 Work Scheme
Employee Perks
Accident Cover
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Each apprentice will be given the opportunity to
grow within the business, our vision is to grow our
own qualified staff, and the apprenticeship scheme
is one method of achieving this goal. During the
Apprenticeship scheme, the apprentice will work
with a qualified member of staff and be provided the
support and guidance required to progress within
the company.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE CHELSEA LANDSCAPE GARDENER LTD
Sally bond
sally@bypassnurseries.co.uk
01206212848
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041791.
Apply now
Closes on Tuesday 1 September 2026