Gardener, ornamental horticulture

Your job

The beautiful Botanical Garden of the University of Münster with its two departments, open-air and greenhouse, will be your training place. You will accompany the Botanical Garden throughout the year and thus have the opportunity to get to know and work with a variety of plants and cultures in a diverse environment.

The Botanical Garden is a research garden that, due to its characteristics, is also a recognised training centre of the Chamber of Agriculture. With two trainers for five apprentices, a high level of guidance can be ensured. The two large departments, open-air and greenhouse, result in a wide variety of tasks. These often differ significantly from a "normal" nursery. As part of the teaching and research operations of the University of Münster, the highest demands are placed on plant cultivation and care. Due to its proximity to the population of Münster and the representative character of the Botanical Garden, the most careful and scientifically up-to-date presentation of plants and habitats is at the forefront in the teaching and display areas. To get to know the various tasks of a horticultural business, both in-company and out-of-company work placements must be completed annually.

Stations and contents of your training

At the beginning of your three-year training, you will be introduced to the cultivation and propagation of plants: from sowing, through cutting and sticking cuttings, to dividing perennials. Here you will acquire your first subject-specific knowledge, so that the further cultivation of plants in the open field or in the greenhouse will soon no longer be a problem for you. In addition to caring for native and exotic plants, you will also take on the application of biological and chemical plant protection as well as organic and mineral fertilisers. Step by step, you will be introduced to the creation of ornamental beds and will be responsible for the annual planning of a "trainee bed" for design, as well as for cultivation and implementation.

Throughout your education, three subject-specific courses will take place. In addition, you can benefit from the cooperation with the teaching and research operations of the University of Münster and take the opportunity to complete annual extra- and inter-company work placements. Overseas stays are also possible and even desirable with us.

YouTube video on the education of gardener, ornamental horticulture [de]
Video Azubis im Interview: Gärtner*in, Zierpflanzenbau (mp4) [de]
Video Azubis bei der Arbeit: Mimose aussäe (mp4) [de]

What you should bring

• In addition to a good secondary school certificate, your grades in natural science subjects as well as sport should indicate a recognisable interest in the education.
• Openness, joy in dealing with people as well as a pronounced customer friendliness support you in your daily dealings with visitors and colleagues.
• Your social skills and your well-developed team spirit enrich the daily cooperation in the team.
• Visual imagination and creativity make it easier for you to create show beds, a trainee bed or natural facilities.
• Your orderly and careful way of working ensures that accidents and dangerous situations are avoided and is relevant for a respectful handling of the plants.

Training institution & theoretical education

• You complete the practical training at the *Botanical Garden* of the University of Münster with the two large departments of open-air and greenhouse.
• The theoretical education takes place one to two days a week at the Wilhelm-Emmanuel-von-Ketteler-Schule [de] in Münster.

Duration of education / possibility of shortening

The education lasts three years. A shortening to two and a half years is possible for apprentices with particularly good performances during the education and at the vocational college.

Apply now!

 

Translated with AI assistance.