{{Short description|Activity of tending an area of land}} [[Image:Garden pool in Filoli, Woodside, California.jpg|thumb|A manicured landscape at a private residence]]
'''Groundskeeping''' is the activity of tending an area of land for aesthetic or functional purposes, typically in an institutional setting. It includes mowing grass, trimming hedges, pulling weeds, planting flowers, etc. The [[United States Department of Labor|U.S. Department of Labor]] estimated that more than 900,000 workers are employed in the [[landscape maintenance]] and groundskeeping services industry in the United States in 2006. Of these over 300,000 workers were [[greenskeeper]]s for [[golf course]]s, schools, resorts, and public parks.<ref>The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2008-144/ "Fact Sheet: Fatal Injuries Among Landscape Services Workers"]. DHHS Publication 2008-144. October 2008. Accessed 10-22-2008.</ref>
==Occupation== [[File:20120801 Wrigley Field groundscrew.JPG|thumb| Grounds crew at [[Wrigley Field]] smooths the infield dirt of a baseball diamond]]
A '''groundskeeper''' is a person who maintains landscaping, gardens or sporting venues (and their vegetation where appropriate) for appearance and functionality. In [[United Kingdom|Britain]] the word ''groundsman'' (occasionally ''groundswoman'' if appropriate) or ''park-keeper'' is used much more commonly.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120801225620/http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/groundskeeper groundskeeper] in [[Oxford Dictionaries Online]]: "North American term for groundsman."</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150925183613/http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/park-keeper park-keeper] in [[Oxford Dictionaries Online]]: "The caretaker of a park."</ref> [[The Football Association]] confers a Groundsman of the Year award.<ref>[https://www.thefa.com/get-involved/player/facilities/goty "Groundsman of the Year"], [[The Football Association]], retrieved 2021-06-17.</ref><ref>William Ralston, [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/15/silicon-valley-of-turf-uk-perfect-football-pitch "'The Silicon Valley of turf': how the UK's pursuit of the perfect pitch changed football"], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 2021-06-15.</ref> In [[Australia]], the word ''curator'' is often used for a person undertaking this job, especially those involving [[cricket pitch]]es.{{citation needed|date=January 2011}} At university campuses, groundskeepers are often called [[horticulturists]]. The equivalent on a golf course is a [[greenskeeper]].{{citation needed|date=January 2011}}
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated in May 2015 that statistical group 37-3011 "Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers" numbered 895,600 with a median annual wage of $25,030.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes373011.htm |title=Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2015 |publisher=bls.gov |date=2015-05-01 |access-date=2016-04-12}}</ref> The BLS describes the functions of this group as "Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units".
==Equipment== {{see also|Equipment manager}}
'''Groundskeeping equipment''' comprise [[tool]]s and [[vehicle]]s used in groundskeeping, including: {{div col|colwidth=23em}} * [[mower]]s * [[lawn mower]]s * [[tractor]]s * [[string trimmer]]s * [[snow blower]]s * [[snow plow]]s * [[edger]]s * [[string trimmer|rotary brushe]]s * [[Rake (tool)|rake]]s * [[leaf blower]]s * [[shovel]]s * [[trowel]]s * [[irrigation sprinkler|sprinkler]]s * [[garden tool]]s * [[watering can]]s or truck mounted watering system * [[line marker (sports)|line markers]] {{div col end}}
==See also== * [[Turf management]] * [[Professional Grounds Management Society]]
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Horticulture and Gardening}}
[[Category:Gardening]] [[Category:Lawn care]] [[Category:Playing field surfaces|*]]