Hovenieren

Hovenieren is a Dutch term that refers to the care, cultivation, and maintenance of gardens and green spaces. Used as a verb, hovenieren means to garden or to perform garden maintenance, including planting, pruning, mowing, fertilizing, and managing irrigation. As a noun, four forms are common: hovenier (a gardener, typically a professional), hovenieren (the act of gardening when used as a noun in plural), and occasionally tuinier as a synonym in everyday language. In professional contexts, the activity is usually described as tuinonderhoud or hovenierswerk.

Hovenieren encompasses a range of tasks aimed at creating and preserving healthy, aesthetically pleasing plantings and equipment. Practical responsibilities often include soil preparation, selecting plant species suited to local climate, seasonal planting, lawn care, pruning and shaping trees and shrubs, pest and disease management, and coordinating irrigation systems. For public or commercial sites, hoveniers may also handle landscape design, soil remediation, and maintenance planning.

Historically, hoveniers were associated with estates, castles, and monasteries, where skilled gardeners tended ornamental and productive gardens. Over time, the profession diversified into modern landscaping, garden design, and maintenance services. Today, hoveniers operate as independent tradespeople or as part of companies offering residential, municipal, and commercial garden services.

In Dutch-speaking regions, the term is closely related to related professions such as tuinman (gardener) and landschapsarchitect (landscape architect). The field is governed by general rules for horticulture and, in professional settings, by trade standards and local regulations for worker safety and environmental practices.