Horticultural Nursery Workers plant, cultivate, harvest, transplant, and care for plants, shrubs, and trees in horticultural nursery facilities under the direction of a supervisor.

Job Duties 

Horticultural Nursery Workers may:

Plant seeds, bulbs, or plant cuttings

Observe and feel each plant's leaf texture, bloom development, and soil condition to determine it's nutrient and moisture requirements and the existence of germ or pest infestations

Set the fertilizer timing and metering devices that control the frequency and amount of nutrients to be introduced into the irrigation system

Apply herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides on plants to destroy any undesirable growth and pests

Read and interpret sensing indicators and regulate the humidity, ventilation, and carbon dioxide systems that control environmental conditions in the nursery facility

Pollinate, prune, transplant, and pinch plants

Harvest, pack, and store crops, using the techniques appropriate for each individual horticultural specialty

The machines, equipment, and work aids used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Specialization within this occupation may vary according to the work location, techniques employed by the worker, or horticultural (plant) specialty. Horticultural Nursery Workers may specialize in these areas:

405.687-014 HORTICULTURAL LABORERS perform a variety of horticultural activities including cultivating soil and growth media.

405.683-010 BULBS FARMWORKERS plant, cultivate and harvest bulbs and flowers. To do this, they may drive, operate and maintain farm machines and equipment. In addition to their horticultural duties, they may also repair greenhouses, sheds, and other nursery structures.

405.684-010 BUDDERS propagate (bud and graft) field-grown rose plants with hybrid buds.

405.687-010 FLOWER PICKERS harvest flowers such as daffodils and tulips.

405.687-018 ORCHID TRANSPLANTERS transfer and reset orchids to ensure their proper development.

408.687-018 TREE-SURGEON HELPERS assist tree pruners or surgeons by handing or hoisting heavy tools and other equipment to them, using a cable, pulley, crane or other machinery.

405.684-014 HORTICULTURAL WORKERS

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Horticultural Nursery Workers usually work in wholesale and retail businesses such as greenhouses, nurseries, and farms. They work independently or as crew members, but under the direction of a supervisor. They may work indoors in a controlled environment such as a greenhouse or outdoors on farms. Horticultural Nursery Workers must be careful when using tools, machines, or chemicals such as pesticides. They are subject to diseases and illnesses from handling and breathing dangerous chemicals and from handling crops that have been sprayed with insecticides. Horticultural Nursery Workers must wear protective clothing and masks while using unsafe chemicals. Nursery Workers who apply dangerous chemicals wear protective clothing such as masks, goggles, and gloves. This clothing may be provided by the employer.

Most Horticultural Nursery Workers work long and irregular hours, up to 10 hours per day. They usually are employed from early spring to late fall during the planting and harvesting seasons and are laid off during the winter. Horticultural Nursery Workers who are supervisors usually work during the winter to repair and upgrade machinery and nursery structures.

Some Nursery Workers may belong to professional associations such as the Michigan Association of Nurserymen. Those who belong to associations must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities which involve the use of processes, machines and

techniques

• Activities of a routine, definite, organized nature

You Should Be Able To:

• Make decisions based on personal judgment and verifiable criteria

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Coordinate eyes and hands to perform tasks rapidly and accurately

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

During the past 20 days it rained 4 days. Using this probability distribution, what percent change is there for rain tomorrow?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Unwanted ingredients of the air are those particulate matter and gases that human activity has added to the lower levels.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining the progress of a certain plant.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to look at a plant that is not healthy and decide how to better it's health.

A Horticultural Nursery Worker should be free from allergies to flower pollen and chemical sprays. Many employers prefer Workers who have skills in using and repairing equipment and tools.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOISCRIPT:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0100 AGRISCIENCE , 0200 ART , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

003 HORTICULTURE

Approved vocational education programs in Horticulture prepare students to produce, process, and sell flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees which are used mainly for ornamental purposes. Programs include the study or machinery and equipment used in a Horticultural business such as an arboretum, greenhouse, or nursery.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript

                 Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Experience can be gained in secondary vocational education programs in horticulture. Part-time and summer employment in nursery businesses is also available to students. Home gardening and participating in organizations such as the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the 4-H Club provide an opportunity to gain technical knowledge and experience.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Horticultural Nursery Worker employer

internships

volunteer work with a Horticultural Nursery Worker employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entry is by direct application to wholesale and retail horticultural nursery businesses. Assistance in locating a job may be obtained through school placement offices or a local office of Michigan Works!. Job openings may also be located by consulting local newspaper ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank  

                You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Horticultural Nursery Workers vary with the individual's ability, technical knowledge, and size and geographic location of the employer. Earnings are highest for those workers who have an associates degree in horticulture or higher, and have experience.

Nationally, median weekly earnings of Horticultural Nursery Workers were $278 or about $6.95 per hour in 1999.

In early 2000, Michigan starting wages for Horticultural Nursery Workers ranged from $5.34 to $6.74, while experienced workers received from $6.75 to $9.33 per hour. According to a Midwest survey, landscaping laborers received average starting wages of $8.00 per hour, while experienced laborers earned $10.00. Greenhouse laborers received average starting wages of $7.00 per hour, while experienced greenhouse laborers earned an average of $8.95 per hour. Beginning nursery managers received an average of $11.50 per hour, while experienced managers received $15.38 per hour.

Depending on the employer, fringe benefits for Horticultural Nursery Workers may include paid vacations; life and medical insurance; paid holidays; and pension plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Horticultural Nursery Workers usually begin as laborers or trainees and receive on-the-job training. Advancement is somewhat limited in small businesses. In large shops, however, a possible career ladder may be: trainee, Horticultural Nursery Worker, supervisor, nursery owner, or shop manager. Advancement of a Horticultural Nursery Worker depends on experience, education, job performance, knowledge of business operations, and ability to supervise. Workers who have business ability and proper financing may establish their own horticultural nursery business.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 943,300 Landscaping, Groundskeeping and Nursery Workers employed in 1998. Horticulture nursery workers were part of this group. Employment is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2008. The industry distribution for Landscaping, groundskeeping and nursery workers looked like this:

Horticultural services and products are a multibillion dollar industry in the United States . People in rural, suburban, and urban areas are interested in home gardening or in the use of plants to decorate their environment. This has resulted in a great demand for the services of Horticultural Nursery Workers.

There were about 1,520 Horticultural Nursery Workers employed in Michigan . Most worked in the agricultural industry for employers who produce horticultural specialties in greenhouses, nurseries, orchards, and on farms. Some also worked in retail lawn and garden supply stores.

Some of Michigan 's major ornamental plant products that Horticultural Nursery Workers grow and care for include bedding plants, potted plants, and flowering plants such as chrysanthemums, poinsettias, geraniums, and lilies. In addition, Michigan is a major producer of woody ornamental plants, fruit trees, and young seedlings for restoration and Christmas tree plantations. These products are also grown and cared for by Horticultural Nursery Workers.

Employment of Horticultural Nursery Workers in Michigan is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 60 annual openings is expected, with 20 due to growth and 40 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations. The general population's interest in home gardening and landscaping has created a demand for horticultural specialties and the related services offered by Horticultural Nursery Workers.

MICHIGAN 'S AREA EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2006

MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area.

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Horticultural Nursery Worker can be summarized by the following:

  MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development