Meet Jimmy Gehrking, a core member of the landscape team at Sargent’s. He’s skilled in operating heavy equipment, has a passion for plants, and shares a warm smile with those around him. We’re excited to highlight Jimmy in this spotlight!
Jimmy Gehrking
Title: Landscape Crew Leader 1
Year Started at Sargent’s: 2017
How did you get involved in the landscape industry?
“In 2016, I was going to school for Horticulture at the Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC). After one year I decided that I wanted to jump into the workforce to start making money. Landscaping related to horticulture in many ways so I decided to put the knowledge and passion I had for plants and the outdoors into practice.”
What do you enjoy most about your job?
“My role offers a dynamic environment where each day is different. It comes with new projects and challenges that I enjoy conquering with my crew. I also like spending time outside, so a big perk of being a landscaper is that I’m not in an office all day.”
Tell us about a recent project you worked on. What were the highlights and challenges of this design installation?
“In June, we completed a courtyard project that included four large concrete spheres in the design. This was a new design material for me. I enjoyed the challenge of getting these heavy objects into place, which was especially tricky due to the tight work area. Some other fun aspects of this project included building cedar deck platforms. I like to do woodworking, so it was great to incorporate these platforms into the landscape and surround them with plenty of plants.”
As a professional, do you have any tips to share about landscaping?
“Plant native perennials. Native plants are a great element to include in a landscape for so many reasons. You won’t have to water them as often since they’re designed for our climate and pollinators love them. I’m currently putting in a pollinator garden as a personal project and will be adding plenty of native plants!”
Why Sargent’s?
“I’ve had a lot of previous jobs before working at Sargent’s… this has been my favorite so far. We have a great culture and I always wake up excited to go to work and see the rest of the team.”
What is something unique about you that few people know?
“I like to get creative making cocktails, especially while enjoying the sun on a sandy beach with some friends.”
