Horticulture Worker, Nursery Worker, Nursery Gardener, Glasshouse Worker, Fruit and Vegetable Production Worker
Horticulture Workers work in plant production areas, such as ornamental plant nurseries, fruit and vegetable production farms, cut flower grower farms, or on any farm or site that produces plants. They work for either the ornamental/decorative or edible/food market. Both areas of production may include either field production or protected production in glasshouses or plastic tunnels.
Plant production workers are likely to be involved in some of the following:
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Some plant production centres can be quite large and have many different areas of work, where a variety of skills are required.
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The work can be challenging and affected by the weather and the changing seasons.
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Growing plants, including sowing seeds, planting bulbs, cultivating cuttings and transferring the seedlings to pots and containers
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Continuing to nurture plants by watering, weeding, pruning, and nutrient application
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Identifying and dealing with pests and diseases
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Maintaining horticultural tools, machinery and technical equipment
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Identifying produce to be picked and packaged
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Making sure the temperature, light and humidity in glasshouses is at the optimum level
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Working in teams to produce, pick and pack the final product
The hours vary depending on the type of farm or production nursery and on the season. In large farms or nurseries staff may work a standard full-time week. In many businesses early starts are common in the summer months. In both types of production businesses, weekend work, late evenings and overtime are common. There are also part-time and casual jobs available.
The work is rewarding and can be physically demanding. Workers may work inside or outside in all weather conditions. Protective clothing or a uniform is usually supplied.
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary depending on the employer and where people live.
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Starting salaries may be around £10,000 to £15,000 a year.
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With experience, Horticulture Workers may earn around £18,000 to £20,000.
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Those in supervisory or management roles may earn from around £20,000 to over £40,000 a year.
- Monitor and maintain health, safety and security in the workplace
- Maintain good standards of health and safety for self and others
- Maintain environmental good practice at work
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
- Maintain and develop personal performance
- Receive and communicate information
- Maintain and understand records
- Demonstrate skills and methods to learners
- Transport plants and other resources
- Assist with controlling common pests and diseases
- Identify the presence of common pests and diseases
- Prepare propagation material
- Collect propagation material
- Establish propagation material in a growing environment
- Prepare growing media
- Obtain and position materials, ie. soil and compost
- Monitor and maintain watering systems
- Monitor and record environmental conditions for protected crops
- Identify and report the presence of pests, diseases and disorders
- Assist with controlling pests, diseases and disorders
- Prepare a tractor or other self-propelled vehicle with attachments for operation
- Operate a tractor or other self-propelled vehicle and its attachments
- Prepare sites and make resources available for planting crops
- Clear sites ready for planting crops
- Set out crops in growing medium
- Establish crops in growing medium
- Maintain moisture levels and provide nutrients to crops
- Maintain plant development
- Monitor and report on the growth and development of crops
- Harvest intensive crops
- Prepare intensive crops
- Monitor and maintain crop development
- Monitor and adjust watering systems
- Provide nutrients to crops
- Make selective use of IT (level 1)
- Respond appropriately to customers
- Communicate information to customers
- Establish effective rapport with customers
- maintain safe and effective work in off-ground situations
- Maintain safe and effective work in isolated situations or when working alone
- operate environmental and other control systems
- Provide plants with support and protection
- Operate plant and machinery?
- Use, maintain and repair hand-held equipment
- Prepare to receive goods and materials
- Store plants and plant material
There are a variety of qualifications and training courses that can help you:
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find employment;
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improve your current skills;
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gain promotion.
Relevant training courses include:
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Apprenticeships in Horticulture
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Level 2 National Certificate in Sports and Amenity Turf Maintenance and a Level 3 Advanced National Certificate in Sports and Amenity Turf Management
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NPTC Level 3 Award in Managing Sports Turf Areas
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Foundation Degrees and Degrees in subjects such as sports turf and golf course management
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Masters Degree in sports turf technology
Further information on Apprenticeships in Horticulture can be found on the Apprenticeship website.
A Diploma in Work-based Horticulture (previously National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)) at Levels 2-4 are also available. These qualifications can be obtained on the job as they include workplace assessment.
Read more about all types of qualifications available in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Know what course you want? Search for a training course with Lantra’s CourseFinder.
There are no formal entry requirements, but some employers ask for GCSEs (A*-C), especially in science subjects, or a BTEC First Diploma in horticulture.
Customer service experience and skills are also important and some employers may also look for this type of previous experience or qualifications in retail and/or sales.
The Diploma in Environmental and Land-based Studies may also be an advantageous qualification to have achieved. This qualification for young people aged 14-19 focuses on practical skills, knowledge and understanding in environmental and land-based studies and may prepare young people for work, an Apprenticeship or further study. To find out more about the new Diploma in Environmental and Land-based Studies visit
Full- and part-time courses are available at many colleges. These provide theory and practical experience, and give a good grounding in horticulture.
It may also be possible to enter this career through an appropriate Apprenticeship programme. Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships provide structured training with an employer and will pay at least £95 per week from August 2009. A recent survey found that the average wage for apprentices was £170 a week. Entry to Employment (e2e) can help prepare those who are not yet ready for an Apprenticeship. More information is available on the Apprenticeship website.
There are a variety of opportunities within the whole sector. Employment opportunities are plentiful and there is an increasing demand for experienced workers.
There are positions Horticulture Workers throughout the country. Different areas in the UK specialise in particular types of production depending on the climate and soil.
Vacancies are advertised directly, through the local or national press or company websites.
You can find out about other progression opportunities in this industry here
For further information on careers in the sector you can contact the Lantra Connect Service:
Tel: 0845 707 8007 or e-mail careers@lantra.co.uk
You can also find additional information from the following organisations and publications:
Industry Information
Publications: