Careers
So what do Horticulturalists do?
Horticulture offers a wide range of potential career paths. Horticulturalists that work in public horticulture may work as lead gardeners at botanical gardens and arboretums where they showcase their work in a variety of plant collections and public education programs geared towards both children and adults. If that's not for you perhaps you'd like to own a landscaping business? Horticulturalist do that too.
Some Horticulturalists focus on ecological and sustainable production. They may advise growers on best practices to reduce inputs in all areas of horticulture including orchards, vineyards, turfgrass, nurseries and farms. Maybe you have always wanted a flower farm or Christmas tree farm? You guessed it, Horticulturalists do that too.
Horticulturalist also work in the turfgrass industry in anything from golf courses to sports fields to both home and commercial lawns. It takes a lot of work to keep that baseball field looking perfect. Horticulturalists are up to that challenge too. Some Horticulturalists grow plants in fields and other in controlled environments like, greenhouses.
Research careers in horticulture exists in such areas as plant breeding which aim to improve yields and drought resistance, or create new varieties to bring to the market. Some Horticulturalists become educators or county extension agents. There are also Horticulturalists that become therapists. Horticulture therapy focuses on improving lives by combining gardening activities with social services.
Other Horticulturalists that specialize in viticulture could own or manage a winery or a vineyard. Horticultural Consultants provide advise to growers in all areas of horticulture. These are just a few examples, but rest assured that your career in horticulture could take you to places you never would have dreamed of.
