Nursery and greenhouse workers perform some or all of the following duties:
A. Prepare soil; plant bulbs, seeds and cuttings; graft and bud plants; and transplant seedlings and rooted cuttings
B. Spray trees, shrubs, flowers and plants to prevent disease and pests
C. Position and regulate greenhouse and outdoor irrigation systems to water plants and fields
D. Dig, cut and transplant trees, shrubs, flowers and plants and prepare them for sale
E. Provide information to customers on gardening and the care of trees, shrubs, flowers, plants and lawns
F. May operate tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, cultivate, harvest and spray fields and plants
G. Maintain inventory and order materials as required
1. Farms - 75.0%
2. Retail trade - 9.0%
3. Wholesale trade - 4.0%
4. Administrative and support waste management and remediation services - 3.0%
1. You may need a high school diploma or college courses in horticulture or a related field.
2. You may receive on-the-job training and you may need a provincial/territorial licence to apply chemical fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides.
3. Most recent entrants have a community college diploma.
1. Math
2. English
3. Chemistry
4. Biology
The average hourly wages for Nursery and Greenhouse Workers is $10.78/HR, which is below average for occupations in the primary industry sector and are below average for all intermediate occupations. These wages grew at an above-average rate from 2002 to 2004.
16% of Nursery and Greenhouse Workers are unemployed. This rate is above the average for intermediate occupations.
The job outlook for Nursery and Greenhouse Workers is considered Below Average because:
1. Employment grew at an above-average rate.
2. Hourly wages ($10.78) are below the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is above average.
3. The unemployment rate (16%) is above the 2004 average (7%).
Your job outlook will continue to be Below Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be below average.
2. The retirement rate will likely be below average, and the number of retiring workers should not contribute significantly to job openings.
3. The number of job seekers will likely exceed the number of job openings.
The highest concentrations Nursery and Greenhouse Workers are found in Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
1. Physical/outdoor work
2. Environment/safety procedures
3. Communication skills