Will AI Replace Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers?

Gather and remove litter.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs, and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Rake, mulch, and compost leaves.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Decorate gardens with stones or plants.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots, and spread salt in those areas.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Care for artificial turf fields, periodically removing the turf and replacing cushioning pads or vacuuming and disinfecting the turf after use to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Install rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, irrigation systems, retaining walls, fences, planters, or playground equipment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Advise customers on plant selection or care.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Haul or spread topsoil, or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Build forms and mix and pour cement to form garden borders.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.