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Horticultural Tradesperson

Also known as Nursery Technician.

Horticultural tradespersons maintain plants and planted areas, construct horticultural features and apply treatments to enhance plant growth and control pests.

Horticultural tradespeople usually work outdoors and in all kinds of weather.

Some of the work is physically demanding as it involves bending, 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.

TASKS

Horticultural tradespeople may perform the following tasks:

identify and correct soil 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
maintain gardens by fertilising and trimming plants and ensuring that they are receiving adequate water
prune trees and hedges to promote their health and increase the attractiveness 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

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

enjoy practical and mechanical activities
able to undertake manual and heavy work
able to work safely with chemicals and machinery
able to work for long hours
able to work outdoors in all sorts of weather conditions

Interest Area

SPECIALISATIONS

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 tree evaluation, assessment and treatment.

Floriculturist - produces fresh and dried flowers and foliage for wholesale, flower markets, florists, retail outlets and, increasingly, overseas export. Some flower farms also grow flowers in open fields for their essential oils.

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 - prepares, establishes and manages fine turf, grassed areas and synthetic surfaces used for sport. They may also do domestic and commercial mowing and lawn maintenance operations or work on commercial turf farms. They are also known as groundspeople or turf keepers.

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 - 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.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become a horticultural tradesperson you usually have to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in Horticulture, Production Horticulture, Production Nursery or Retail Nursery.

Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Additional Information

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The horticultural sector is one of the most important primary industries in Australia. There are many opportunities in this sector, from landscape gardening and turf management to service areas such as marketing, finance and international trade.