Nurserypersons propagate plants, flowers, trees and shrubs for either wholesale or retail sale, or for use in large parks and gardens. They grow plants either from seeds or from cuttings, as well as pruning and potting them. They also weed, prune, repot, irregate and fertilise plants, and ensure that they have the right conditions to grow by controlling light, temperature, humidity and watering. They may control pests by spraying stock, as well as picking and packing produce to send it to gardening retailers. Depending on where they work they may also sell plants and other gardening related goods like fertiliser and pots.

ANZSCO ID & description: 841412: Propagates and cultivates trees, shrubs, and ornamental and flowering plants in a plant nursery.

Alternative names: Commercial Horticultural Worker, Horticultural Tradesperson, Nursery Hands,

Specialisations: Plant Propagator

 

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A nurseryperson needs:

• an appreciation of nature

• good physical fitness and the ability to stand for long periods

• practical skills and the ability to undertake manual labour

• problem solving skills

• organisational skills

• record-keeping and maths skills

Working conditions

Nurserypersons work outdoors in nurseries and fields in most weather conditions. They may also work in greenhouses or glasshouses, plant retailers or garden centres. Working conditions may be hot, dusty and dirty, or cold, wet and muddy. Greenhouses and glasshouses may be humid during summer.

 

Tools and technologies

Nurserypersons use gardening equipment and machinery, irrigation and temperature control systems, seeding, fertiliser and soil spreaders, and rolling and soil aeration equipment. They may also use inventory systems, cash registers and computers to undertake retail or administrative tasks.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a nurseryperson, you usually need to complete a formal qualification in horticulture.

The Certificate II, Certificate III and Certificate IV in Horticulture are offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

You can also complete a traineeship. The horticulture worker (nursery), production nursery assistant, garden centre sales assistant or horticulture team leader traineeships usually take 12 months to complete. The horticulture worker (nursery), production nursery assistant and garden centre sales assistant traineeships are available as school-based traineeships.

You can also complete an apprenticeship. The production nursery tradesperson or retail nursery tradesperson apprenticeships usually take 36 months to complete and are available as school-based apprenticeships.

 

Horticultural Tradesperson maintain plants and planted areas, construct horticultural features, and apply treatments to improve plant growth and control pests. Horticultural workers work in plant production, give plant advice in retail garden centres or tend to plants in parks and gardens.

ANZSCO ID: 362

Alternative names: Horticultural Worker, Horticultural Technical Officer

Specialisations:

• Arboriculture Worker or Aborist
  An arboriculture worker cares for and maintains trees in urban environments. The work may include tree climbing using ropes and a harness, or operating from elevated platforms. Senior workers, sometimes called tree surgeons, provide specialist advice on tree evaluation, assessment and treatment.

• Floriculturist
  A floriculturist cultivates flowering and ornamental plants for gardens and for the floral industry.

• Gardener
  A gardener plants and cares for trees, lawns, shrubs and flower beds in areas around public and private institutions, city squares, parks and gardens, playing fields, golf courses and bowling greens, as well as private homes. 

• Greenkeeper
  A greenkeeper also known as groundsperson or turf keeper, prepares, establishes and manages fine turf, grassed areas and synthetic surfaces used for sport. Greenkeepers may also do domestic and commercial mowing and lawn maintenance operations, and work on commercial turf farms.

• Landscape Gardener/Architect/Designer
  A landscape gardener designs and constructs garden landscapes or renovates existing gardens. They work in a variety of sites, including public and private parks and gardens, to create a landscape that is aesthetically pleasing as well as functional.

• Nursery Worker
  A nursery worker grows and sells plants. They can work in either retail or wholesale nurseries, and may specialise in areas such as native plants, advanced trees or flowers.

 

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• a knowledge of plants and their care
• enjoy practical and mechanical activities
• able to undertake manual and heavy work
• the ability to understand and follow health and safety regulations
• able to work safely with chemicals and machinery
• able to work for long hours
• able to work outdoors in all sorts of weather conditions.
• the ability to work either alone or in a team

 

Horticultural Tradesperson
(Source: Good Universities Guide)

Duties and Tasks

Horticultural Tradespersons may perform the following tasks:

• identify and treat plant and soil diseases and deficiencies
• identify and treat pests and diseases affecting plants
• prepare fields, garden beds or lawn areas by cultivating soil and adding fertilisers and compost
• use growth regulators and other chemicals
• read landscape plans and construct rockeries, paths or ponds
• plant and transplant flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns
• grow plants from cuttings, seeds and by grafting
• produce plants for sale to the public
• care for plants or crops by watering, weeding, pruning, and fertilising
• maintain and enhance botanic parks, gardens and green spaces
• operate garden tools and lawn mowing equipment
• cut grass, prune dead growth and branches, and general tidying of the gardens
• lay paths and look after ornamental features.
• maintain gardens by fertilising, trimming and making sure that plants are receiving adequate water
• prune trees and hedges to promote the health and positive appearance of plants
• thin out, hoe, irrigate and fertilise crops
• maintain lawn and grass areas using machinery, fertilisers and chemicals
• service equipment such as tools, lawn mowers and heavy machinery
• operate and install irrigation and drainage systems
• plan and supervise the daily activities of other workers
• develop long-term plans, set budgets and manage the financial aspects of the organisation or business.

Depending on the role, you could also select and package produce to be sent on to retailers, advise on and sell plants and other products to customers at a garden centre.

Working Conditions

Horticultural tradespersons usually work outdoors and in all kinds of weather. Some of the work is physically demanding as it involves bending and lifting, and the use of machinery such as tractors, rollers and edging machines. Protective clothing must be used when handling fertilisers and pesticides, and to prevent injury while using machinery.

You would usually work a standard number of hours per week, although some jobs may be seasonal. You may need to work weekends, particularly in garden centres. Your work would be physically demanding, involving heavy lifting and carrying.

Horticultural tradespersons usually supervise Horticultural Assistants

Education and training/entrance requirements

 

 

 

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

 

Arborist	Biosecurity Officer	Botanist	Entomologist
Greenkeeper	Horticulturalist	Landscape Architect	Olericulturist
Viticulturalist

Materials sourced from
Jobs & Skills WA [Nurseryperson];
WebArchive Only - CareerHQ [Horticultural Worker; ]
Your Career [Nurseryperson; ]