Garden Writers or Horticultural Journalists come to this career usually by one of two routes:
- By bringing attention to themselves as a competent horticulturist who can communicate well
- By bringing attention to themselves as a competent writer who has an interest in gardening
Some make a full time career out of writing; but more often than not, garden writing is only one of two or more sources of income for the writer.
One advantage of this career is the fact that it does complement other vocations well. Writing does raise the writers profile and that can allow the promotion of anything else they are involved with (eg. presenting on radio or TV, consulting, garden design, operating a plant nursery, etc).
Typical Jobs
Horticultural writers find work writing books, magazine articles, newspaper columns, technical manuals, marketing material, web site content and even scripts for broadcast media.
Most writers need to be versatile, and able to write across a broad spectrum of horticulture (ie. landscaping, plant culture, vegetables, herbs, trees, fruit, etc). They need to be computer literate (as most publishers or clients want work submitted in an electronic format. An ability to illustrate (drawings or photographs) also helps both getting work, and being profitable.
Remuneration and Advancement Opportunities
Getting the first works published will always be most difficult. Often writers must work for free before they work for pay; and when they do start getting paid, the remuneration per job will be related to the amount of words you supply and whether or not it is illustrated.
If you develop an ability to write well and fast (eg. 500 words or more an hour), and build a collection of photos or illustrations that can be used with your work; you then have the potential to earn a good hourly rate of pay.
Most writers start out as freelance writers. Some progress to a job as a staff writer or editor with a gardening or related magazine.
Risks & Stresses
Garden writing is not generally a secure career unless you have other supplementary sources of income. Offers of work, and even full time staff positions, are subject to market forces.
For example; when the internet became popular, many gardening magazines suffered a big drop in sales and advertising revenue; and as a result, reduced the amount of work beingt contracted. Book publishers suffered a similar fate, and between 2000 and 2008 (for instance), the number of gardening books published in most developed countries decreased. At the same time though; a new avenue of work has developed writing content for web sites.
Publishing is also at the whim of fashion changes; and one writer can be in demand now, out of fashion for 10 years, and then in demand again.
How to Distinguish Yourself from the Competition
- Be prepared to adapt, and don't be opinionated when talking to publishers. Many writers are too opinionated and miss getting work offers as a result.
- Build a unique and massive collection of photos and keep them well organised. Many writers do not do that
- Learn to write in different styles (light or heavy, entertaining and whimsical or technical) If you can be diverse, you will attract attention.
- Get out and network. If you are visible; you are more likely to get offered work.
- Make sure you have a very broad horticultural education and experience. Don't get stuck with just one industry sector or plant type.
Professional Bodies
Join and get active with bodies such as the Garden Writers Guild or Horticultural Media Association.
Insurance
Consider Professional Indemnity Insurance if you are advising people about horticulture. Also seriously consider Public Liability insurance; and discuss other possible needs with an insurance expert.
Recommended Courses
You need to learn about both Horticulture and writing. Any of the following can be a step in the right direction:
Certificate in Horticulture http://www.thecareersguide.com/product.aspx?id=99
Diploma in Horticultural Science http://www.thecareersguide.com/product.aspx?id=562
Freelance Writing http://www.thecareersguide.com/product.aspx?id=276