Emily's story
Real advice from people who understand horticulture
When we shared Emily’s story below, we asked for your ideas and advice about how to manage your money based on your own experiences, because hearing from others in the community can inspire those who have also chosen this wonderful industry to work in.
All types of horticultural professionals responded, including gardeners, landscapers, trainees and consultants sharing their advice and insights, which have been varied, thoughtful and rooted in real, lived experience.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to get involved. Below we've shared a selection of this feedback so everyone can benefit from the help and experience within our community.
My best advice is track your spending! Work out your needs (bills, rent etc), then immediately save 20% in a separate account and use the rest for living!
Megan - Horticultural Trainee
Please know that it isn't you and you aren't alone! This is a struggle that the vast majority of professional gardeners and horticulturalists in public and botanic gardens have. Many of us supplement our income with garden maintenance or another kind of work.
Professional Horticulturalist
Put your wages into an easy access linked savings account, then withdraw them bit by bit as you need them. You'll end up earning a little bit of interest that you can spend on a treat!
Annie - Head Gardener
Perhaps look for another job that offers accommodation, so money can be saved.
Neil - Retired Head Gardener
My practical advice would be: 1) Track your spending for a month (no judgement, just see where it goes) 2) Set up an automatic "Paying Myself First" transfer where the day you get paid, before you spend on anything else, make a small, regular payment into a separate savings account. and 3) Open a Lifetime ISA for your home goal. The drinks and meals out are important for fun and wellbeing – the key is to save first, then enjoy the rest guilt-free.
Neville - Business Consultant
Look at what you're spending money on and see if there are any cutbacks or alternative ways of buying things. Have a saving goal in mind with milestones along the way.
Jennifer - Horticultural Marketing
It's great to hear you've found something you enjoy doing for work. It makes it a lot easier! My advice for making money go further is to meal prep and avoid temptation spending!
Thomas - Head Gardener
My advice would be to start your own little gardening business, start with neighbours, helping out at weekends. Maybe with a view to the future when you've done some training and gained some experience.
Lorraine - Freelance Gardener
Don't get into debt or if you are in debt, get rid of that first. Work very hard but also make the most of any training, qualifications and certificates your employer offers.
Sandra - ex public garden gardener
Work as many hours as you can (you could even find a second job or do maintenance work for family and friends) and live as cheaply as possible so you can build some savings. Work hard, but don’t burn yourself out, and make sure you still enjoy life along the way!
Ben - Director
Emily's story:
“I’m 22 and started an assistant gardener role at a large public garden recently, which is great. The money’s OK but I’m living paycheck to paycheck even though I live with my parents so am only paying a bit to them. I don’t spend a lot on much else, it mainly goes on a few drinks after work, the occasional meal out and going out with my boyfriend.
I would like to start saving something each month as I really want to get a place of my own at some point, and maybe move in with my boyfriend, so some ideas on how I can make my money go further each month would be really useful.”
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