What I do

I’m a Horticultural Technician at Kew Gardens, working in the Arboretum section, which is the fancy name for an area with a collection of trees and shrubs. I look after the lake and it’s surrounding area. My job involves all sorts of tasks like maintaining borders, mowing lawns and using different tools and machinery. I even get to work in the water sometimes, putting on waders to tend to the edges and the islands. It’s a fun job with loads of variety!

How I became a technician

My journey to becoming a technician wasn't straightforward. After my GCSEs, I wasn't sure what to do. I tried sixth form for a bit, then did an art and design course at college. I even did a short course in general trade skills like tiling and bricklaying.

I started working with my dad, who was a gardener, during the summer holidays. We worked on residential homes, mostly doing hard landscaping like laying turf and patios and building sheds. This is what started my love of working outdoors and gardening.

After trying a few different things, I got a job as a landscape gardener with a private company. But I was made redundant when Covid hit, and I was out of work for about 6 months, which was pretty tough. Then I heard about the Kickstart scheme and landed a gardening job at Eltham Palace. That really kicked off my career in horticulture. After a year there, I applied for an apprenticeship at Kew Gardens. I was so chuffed when I got it!

I did my apprenticeship for two years, learning loads and even got to go to California on a travel scholarship! When a full-time job opened up in the Arboretum, I went for it and got it. Now I'm a full-time staff member at Kew, and I love it!

A typical day in my
working life

I get to work around 7:00am and start outside at 7:30am. My first task is to sort out my vehicle, check the fuel, and load up the tools I need for the day. Recently, I've mostly been using the tractor, a couple of strimmers, and a saw.

I might spend the morning weeding around bedding areas, preparing them for fresh mulch. We have a tea break around 10:00am, then it's back to work. After lunch (12:30 to 1:00), I might finish up what I was doing or start on a new area, maybe cutting things back or doing more weeding.

Around 3:00, I start packing up my tools and getting ready to head in. I put the vehicles and tools away and dump my waste. No two days are the same though, though, one day I might be pulling things out of the lake, the next I could be up a ladder pruning a tree!

The variety in my work is fantastic - one day I'm weeding, the next I'm operating machinery or working in the water.

I think what I love most is seeing the results of our hard work. It's such a rewarding feeling.

The best bits about working in a team

Working in a team at Kew is brilliant. Everyone’s really supportive and happy to listen to your ideas. My supervisor is great at letting us take charge of projects and encouraging us to step up. It’s really helped boost my confidence. A while ago, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and everyone was so supportive. They made sure I wasn’t pushing myself too hard and checked in on me every day. It’s nice to know you’ve got people looking out for you. And you know what? Everyone’s just happy all the time. I reckon it’s because we’re all doing a job we love. It makes coming to work every day a real pleasure.

A little more about
my everyday role

What I love most about my job

There's so much to love about my job. One of the best things is being outside and seeing the seasons change. It's amazing to start a project in autumn, doing all the groundwork, then planting in spring and watching everything bloom through summer. The variety in my work is fantastic - one day I'm weeding, the next I'm operating machinery or working in the water.

I also love interacting with visitors. People are always interested in what we're doing, and I get to meet new faces every day. It's great to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with others.

But I think what I love most is seeing the results of our hard work. When an area we've been working on for months finally comes together and looks amazing, it's such a rewarding feeling. Knowing that I'm helping to maintain and improve such a beautiful and important place as Kew Gardens makes me feel really proud.

The advice I'd give to someone younger

Don't be afraid to try different things and follow what you enjoy. It's okay if you don't have it all figured out right away. I wish I'd had the confidence to pursue horticulture earlier, but everything worked out in the end. Remember, there are loads of different paths to a great career - not just the academic route. And if you love being outdoors and working with your hands, definitely consider a career in horticulture!

What I like to do in my spare time

When I'm not at work, I'm still all about the outdoors! I love hiking and try to get up to Scotland a couple of times a year for some proper walks in the hills. It's a great way to clear your head and see some amazing scenery.

Fishing is another big passion of mine. I spend a lot of weekends by the water. It's really relaxing and a nice change from the busy workdays. And even when I'm not fishing or hiking, I'm usually outside. I go for walks in local green spaces, always keeping an eye out for interesting plants or wildlife. And of course, I can't help but work on gardens - whether it's my own or helping out friends and family with theirs, I'm always happy to get stuck in.

The skills I use the most

In my job, I use a mix of practical and people skills. Management and leadership are big ones, especially now that I’m a senior gardener. I often have to take charge of apprentices and students, giving them instructions and overseeing their work.

Communication is important too. We use radios all day to keep in touch with each other, and I need to be clear when giving instructions or explaining tasks. Of course, being practical is crucial too, I use all sorts of tools and machinery every day, from strimmers and mowers to hedge cutters and tractors. You’ve got to be comfortable with hands-on work in this job.

And of course it’s great to have good knowledge of the plants, which I’ve built up over the last few years. I’ve learned so much about different plants, how to identify them, and what they need to thrive. It’s like being a detective sometimes, figuring out what each plant needs.

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