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Starting a Gardening Maintenance Business

Launch Your Own Garden Maintenance Business

Learn the practical and business skills to start and run a gardening maintenance operation, backed by an ICOES-accredited Certificate of Achievement.

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week
Enquire now
6 Mths
Duration
Online
Delivery
36
Units
Flexible
Start Date
Starting a Gardening Maintenance Business

Launch Your Own Garden Maintenance Business

Learn the practical and business skills to start and run a gardening maintenance operation, backed by an ICOES-accredited Certificate of Achievement.

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week
6 Mths
Duration
Online
Delivery
36
Units
Flexible
Start Date
Why Study This

Practical, Job-Relevant Skills You Can Build.

ICOES-Accredited Certificate Of Achievement On Completion

200 Hours Of Content, 6 Months Access, No Exams

Unlimited Tutor Support Included Throughout The Course

Skills & Applications

Skills You'll Build

Practical, job-relevant skills for these roles. As a professional development course, it builds capability in this field rather than guaranteeing a specific role or salary.

Garden Maintenance Business OwnerPlans, prices, and delivers garden maintenance services directly to residential or commercial clients as a…
Self-Employed GardenerTakes on private clients for regular garden upkeep including mowing, pruning, planting, and seasonal clean-ups.
Lawn Care SpecialistFocuses on lawn health, mowing schedules, fertilising, and weed control for homeowners and property managers.
Landscape Maintenance WorkerMaintains established garden beds, paths, and planted areas across residential or commercial sites.
Garden Maintenance ContractorWorks under contract for property management companies or local councils to maintain outdoor spaces to a set…
Property Maintenance ProviderProvides combined outdoor upkeep services including gardening, rubbish removal, and minor grounds work for…
Residential GroundskeeperLooks after the grounds of private homes or apartment complexes on an ongoing or seasonal basis.
Garden Waste Management ContractorCollects, transports, and disposes of garden waste as part of a standalone or complementary garden services…

Possible career directions only; no specific job, salary or outcome is guaranteed. Where you go depends on your experience, the employer and your location.

What You’ll Learn

36 Units · 35 Core, 1 Electives

Core Units · 35 units
  • Topic 1Introduction
  • Topic 2Planning and Managing a Garden
  • Topic 3Garden Furnishings and Machinery
  • Topic 4Feeding Plants
  • Topic 5Weed Control
  • Topic 6Weedicides
  • Topic 7Natural Pest Control
  • Topic 8Chemical Pest Control
  • Topic 9Turf Management
  • Topic 10Irrigation
  • Topic 11Maintenance of Plants
  • Topic 12Understanding Turf Deterioration
  • Topic 13Repair and Renovation Equipment
  • Topic 14Turf Cultivation Techniques
  • Topic 15Health Improvement Techniques
  • Topic 16Optimising Turf Usage
  • Topic 17Replacing Damaged Turf
  • Topic 18Renovation of Degraded Turf
  • Topic 19Eradicating Turf Weeds
  • Topic 20Treating Aeration and Drainage Problems
  • Topic 21Managing a Turf Nursery
  • Topic 22Designing Gardens
  • Topic 23Styles of Gardens
  • Topic 24Drawing Plans
  • Topic 25Understanding Soils
  • Topic 26Basic Landscape Construction
  • Topic 27Weeds and Pests
  • Topic 28Planting and Pruning
  • Topic 29Lawns and other Surfacing
  • Topic 30Garden Features
  • Topic 31Developing your Garden
  • Topic 32Starting Up & Business Types and Structures
  • Topic 33Preparing your Business Plan
  • Topic 34Introduction to Accounting & Bookkeeping
  • Topic 35Certificate in Xero
Elective Units · 1 units
  • Topic 1Certificate in Digital Marketing with AI
Before You Apply

Entry Requirements

What you’ll typically need to get started.

No formal academic prerequisites

Requirements can vary by intake and pathway, so submit an enquiry to confirm what applies to you.

What’s Included

Everything That Comes With Your Enrolment

Industry-Accredited Intermediate Certificate

Upon completion, you receive a Certificate of Achievement from The Career Academy, accredited by ICOES, CPD Standards Office, and recognised by the International Approval & Recognition Council (IARC).

Unlimited Tutor Support

Access experienced tutors via phone and email during business hours for unlimited guidance throughout your course.

100% Online, Self-Paced Learning

Study whenever suits you with 6 months of course access and approximately 200 hours of content. No exams, ever.

Career Centre Access

Instant access to the Career Centre upon enrolment, including CV templates, free personalised CV review, LinkedIn profile review, interview coaching, personalised career planning, and connections to top recruiters and employers.

Free Student Resources

Receive a free Virtual Student ID Card with access to over 150,000 discounts in New Zealand and around the world, plus free access to the CCH eBook Library with over 50 titles.

SEEK Pass Verified Credential

Verify your qualification from The Career Academy with SEEK Pass upon completion to stand out to employers on SEEK.

10-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Enrol with confidence knowing your satisfaction is guaranteed with a 10-day money-back guarantee.

CPD Credits

Earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits that enhance your professional growth.

Free bonus courses included

Certificate in Digital Marketing with AI

Optional module covering digital marketing using AI tools, included as part of the Start…

CAN
Your Provider

The Career Academy NZ

The Career Academy offers an online Career Centre providing career coaching, CV reviews, interview preparation, job search resources, and LinkedIn profile reviews. Students have access to a Career Success Hub, Business Hub, and Self Service Resource Hub. The centre includes one-to-one coaching from dedicated career support staff and is available to all students during and after their studies.

Fees & Funding

Flexible Ways To Pay

From $29/Week
on an interest-free payment plan
EASY WAYS TO PAY
Pay upfrontWeekly payment plan
Enquire to confirm the exact fees and payment options for your situation. We don’t list a set price here because it varies by your circumstances.
Getting Started

Your Path To Enrolment

A few simple steps from enquiry to your first day.

1
Click 'Enrol Now'
2
Choose payment option (upfront or payment plan)
3
Complete enrolment form
4
Gain instant access to the course and Career Centre
Why Students Choose The

What Students Say

★★★★★

“Hiromi found the perfect work-life balance after enrolling in The Career Academy's Certificate in Bookkeeping. As a busy mum, the flexibility of online study allowed her to pursue her dream career while caring for her family. Upon completing her course, she secured a role with The Back Office Company and began her journey in a new profession.”

HHiromi
★★★★★

“Cameron transformed his passion for dogs into a successful mobile dog grooming service. With everything from a full grooming table to a hydro-bath, he brings the salon directly to his client's homes. Cameron's journey started with The Career Academy's Diploma in Dog Grooming, which equipped him with the skills and confidence to launch his business.”

CYCameron Young
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

This course has no formal entry requirements, making it accessible to complete beginners. No prior gardening or business experience is needed. Submit an enquiry to confirm any current enrolment conditions.
A weekly payment plan may be available to spread the cost. Submit a Get Course enquiry to confirm current pricing and any payment options.
Students receive 6 months of course access and the content covers approximately 200 hours of learning. Because study is self-paced, you can move faster or slower depending on your schedule.
The course is delivered entirely online by The Career Academy NZ. It is self-paced, so you study whenever suits you. There are no scheduled classes and no exams at any stage.
No work placement is included in this course. The content is designed to build practical and business knowledge through online study. If hands-on experience is a priority, consider supplementing the course with local voluntary or paid garden work.
On completion, students receive a Certificate of Achievement accredited by ICOES and the CPD Standards Office, and recognised by the International Approval and Recognition Council (IARC). The credential can also be verified through SEEK Pass. This course is not a government-accredited qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).
Yes. Completing the course earns Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which can contribute to your ongoing professional development record. Submit a Get Course enquiry to confirm the number of credits awarded.
As a professional development course, any credit toward formal qualifications is arranged through the provider's recognition of prior learning process. Submit a Get Course enquiry to confirm what it may count toward and how to apply.
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About This Course

Starting a Gardening Maintenance Business

This course covers both the hands-on gardening knowledge and the business fundamentals needed to operate a garden maintenance service. Students learn how to manage clients, price jobs, handle garden waste, and maintain residential and commercial properties. Around 200 hours of content is spread across 6 months of access.

Delivered by The Career Academy NZ, the course suits people who want to turn a passion for gardening into a self-employed income, or who are already doing garden work and want to formalise their skills. No prior experience is required, and there are no exams at any point.

Study is entirely online and self-paced, so students can fit learning around work and family commitments. Unlimited tutor support is available by phone and email during business hours throughout the course.

Ready When You Are

Take The Next Step Into Education & Teaching

Enquire about this course and a course advisor from The Career Academy NZ will be in touch with pricing and next steps.

Helping students across New Zealand find the right course since 2013 · 1M+ enquiries

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week

Disclaimer: Course information on this page is sourced from the education provider and was last verified on the date shown below. Details including pricing, availability, entry requirements and course content may change without notice. Get Course is a directory service that connects students with course providers; we do not deliver courses directly. Contact the provider for the most current information before enrolling.

Last updated: July 2026