Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

• AI can speed this up on its own: 0 (0%)
• AI can speed this up with extra software: 2 (7%)
• Little or no AI speed-up: 25 (93%)

• Advise customers on plant selection or care.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
• Mark design boundaries, and paint natural or artificial turf fields with team logos or names before events.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
• Gather and remove litter.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Operate vehicles or powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twin-axle vehicles, snow blowers, chainsaws, electric clippers, sod cutters, or pruning saws.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Water lawns, trees, or plants, using portable sprinkler systems, hoses, or watering cans.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Prune or trim trees, shrubs, or hedges, using shears, pruners, or chain saws.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Mix and spray or spread fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides onto grass, shrubs, or trees, using hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Care for established lawns by mulching, aerating, weeding, grubbing, removing thatch, or trimming or edging around flower beds, walks, or walls.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Follow planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Trim or pick flowers and clean flower beds.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Attach wires from planted trees to support stakes.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Plant seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering plants, grass, ground covers, trees, or shrubs, and apply mulch for protection, using gardening tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Mow or edge lawns, using power mowers or edgers.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Rake, mulch, and compost leaves.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Decorate gardens with stones or plants.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Use irrigation methods to adjust the amount of water consumption and to prevent waste.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Provide proper upkeep of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, fountains, planters, burial sites, or other grounds features.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots, and spread salt in those areas.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Maintain irrigation systems, including winterizing the systems and starting them up in spring.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Plan or cultivate lawns or gardens.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
• Maintain or repair tools, equipment, or structures, such as buildings, greenhouses, fences, or benches, using hand or power tools.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• 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.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Install rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, irrigation systems, retaining walls, fences, planters, or playground equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Care for natural turf fields, making sure the underlying soil has the required composition to allow proper drainage and to support the grasses.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Haul or spread topsoil, or spread straw over seeded soil to hold soil in place.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Build forms and mix and pour cement to form garden borders.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

Questions about landscaping and groundskeeping workers and AI