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Having recently changed my username I started thinking; If you had ranks in gardening (like military ranks), What would they be?

For example i started off as 'Garden Cadet', Now I have become 'Garden Apprentice'. What would be next. I thought 'Garden Assistant', then: 'Under Gardener' - 'Gardener'- 'Deputy Head Gardener'-'Head Gardener'. Beyond that I am not sure, 'Master Gardener' maybe.

Just a bit of fun but what do you think. Any ideas/suggestions?

You should be head gardener.

You started off a bit high up the ladder, it must have been favoritism ;D

You should have started as a MacGardener, doing all the dirty, boring jobs. You may work your way up through the ranks, but will never be the Acegardener. That position is already taken ;)

Quote from: ACE on May 24, 2007, 07:54:31
You started off a bit high up the ladder, it must have been favoritism ;D

You should have started as a MacGardener, doing all the dirty, boring jobs. You may work your way up through the ranks, but will never be the Acegardener. That position is already taken ;)

Ah but specialist gardeners (designers, landscapers etc) are in a division all of their own. I could never aspire to reach THAT rank!

PS: in my garden I actualy fill several ranks from Macgardener (as you call it) right up to deputy head gardener, plus several specialist posts in between (Chief Propagator, Designer, Glasshouse Manager etc). We cant get the staff you see! LOL

Quote from: Garden Apprentice on May 24, 2007, 23:33:21


Ah but specialist gardeners (designers, landscapers etc) are in a division all of their own. I could never aspire to reach THAT rank!

After 40 years in the business, I was bound to pick up a bit of knowledge and gradually climb up the ladder from a garden labourer to running a successful gardening business.
I am still learning and pick up a few tips every day. I have even learnt a thing or two from a certain garden apprentice ;)

Quote from: ACE on May 25, 2007, 08:23:28

Quote from: Garden Apprentice on May 24, 2007, 23:33:21


Ah but specialist gardeners (designers, landscapers etc) are in a division all of their own. I could never aspire to reach THAT rank!

After 40 years in the business, I was bound to pick up a bit of knowledge and gradually climb up the ladder from a garden labourer to running a successful gardening business.
I am still learning and pick up a few tips every day. I have even learnt a thing or two from a certain garden apprentice ;)

Who would that be then? What sort of things have you learnt from 'the apprentice' then? I am sure he is flattered by this nice comment! ;-)

Right you two - get a room.  ;D

Quote from: emmy1978 on May 25, 2007, 10:58:47
Right you two - get a room.  ;D

??? I am afraid i dong understand that comment.

I was watching a programme the other day what refered to some of the 'ranks' in victorian/edwardian estate gardens. I am not sure if this is the full list but it went something like:

Garden Boy/Pot Washer? - Unskilled garden labourer
Apprentice - trainee, self explanatory
Journeyman - non permanent general gardener. Did a bit of everything
Foreman - Department manager
Head Gardener - Self explanatory, in overall charge of the gardens.

Maybe someone can confirm or correct me on this or perhaps fill in any gaps. This is largely guesswork based on what i have found out.

A Journeyman Gardener is one who has served his time, in other words a Gardener.   You forgot to mention the Garden Gnome again!!!

Don't forget Improver Journeyman, a sort of advanced trainee.

Quote from: Carol on May 26, 2007, 20:02:57
A Journeyman Gardener is one who has served his time, in other words a Gardener.   You forgot to mention the Garden Gnome again!!!

Other than being a garden ornament of questionable taste, what does/did a Garden Gnome do?

Well now, you have asked the question, what does a garden gnome do?   You mean you don't know? 

Quote from: Carol on May 27, 2007, 14:25:54
Well now, you have asked the question, what does a garden gnome do?   You mean you don't know? 

Like I said before, er no! Please enlighten me.

Quote from: Garden Apprentice on May 27, 2007, 14:15:42
what does/did a Garden Gnome do?

Isn't a Garden Gnome one step up from a MacGardener - someone who just stands around all day with their mouth open, unable to think if they should be doing anything.