Home and Garden Landscape Design

Home owners often ask Extension how to find a student, a Master
Gardener, or an industry professional to help them with a home landscaping project or garden design. They wonder if students need projects, if Master Gardeners can do this kind of activity for their volunteer hours or how to choose a landscape professional.

Landscape professionals typically have a degree in landscape design or a related area, and /or are licensed as a landscape architect. Some garden centers offer full service landscape design, implementation and maintenance services. Homeowners can also find firms by searching the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association website. Use the search function to find the type of help you are looking for in your geographical location; for example, "landscape designer St. Paul, MN". Word-of-mouth is also a very good way to find a landscape professional. When you see a landscape you love, ask the homeowner for a recommendation.

To reach students looking for seasonal work or alumni in the landscape business, post a job description on GoldPass: Job, Internship and Volunteer Listings. GoldPASS is the U of M's online database to help connect students and alumni with employers, volunteer organizations, and internships across the country. Posting is free, easy to do, and open to anyone.

Homeowners may also choose to send a job description to the Extension Master Gardener program in your county. Master Gardeners are educated by University Extension, and volunteer by teaching the general public research-based horticulture information. While Master Gardeners are volunteers and are not allowed to accept payment or work on private properties as part of their volunteer hours, some are professional gardeners, designers or landscape architects by trade. A county program may have a website or newsletter for volunteers only where such job postings can be made available.