Plant nurseries grow and sell trees, flowers, shrubs, and other plants. They may be wholesale or retail operations, garden centers, or mail-order businesses.
Nursery workers perform a variety of special tasks: plant propagation through seeds, cuttings, and root division; preparation of soil in outdoor growing areas; greenhouse management; weed, disease, and insect control; plant breeding; storage and packaging of plants; and business operations.
Nursery workers are also employed by other establishments that use large numbers of plants and trees requiring expert care and maintenance. These include parks and botanical gardens; large estates and institutions, such as schools; industrial and commercial facilities with extensive outdoor areas; and planned residential areas, such as senior citizen retirement communities or public housing.
State and federal government agencies employ nursery workers in agricultural extension services, inspection and law enforcement, and in developmental and administrative positions.
Some specially trained nursery workers are called plant scientists. They do research on specific plants or groups of plants, especially food-producing plants, to improve their yield or to find solutions to problems such as insect infestation. Plant scientists also develop new plants.
Related jobs are landscape architect, farmer, range manager, biologist.
Qualification, Education, and Training
Curiosity about and love of growing things are basic qualifications for anyone in this field. Good health, average strength, manual dexterity, color perception, a sense of design and patience are important. Business management skills and sales ability are also valuable.
High school courses in science, social studies, mathematics, mechanical drawing, and art are good preparation for this field. Summer jobs at plant nurseries or with landscape contractors provide valuable experience.
There are no specific educational requirements for nursery workers and many of them acquire their skills through on-the-job training. Many employers, however, prefer some formal training for those who work as managers. Two-year courses in this field are available at junior and community colleges, four-year colleges, and technical and vocational schools.
Nursery workers who are in charge of grounds keeping for large companies usually need at least a bachelor's degree and, in some cases, an advanced degree. Majors in the biological sciences, landscape architecture, urban planning, and environmental design are recommended.
Research work requires advanced study in a specialty field such as agronomy, entomology, chemistry, soil science, or biology.
Potential and Advancement
The number of nursery worker positions in the United States is expected to decrease by 9% over the next decade. As a result, job opportunities in this field will be scarce.
Income
Earnings vary widely depending on the size and location of the business and the worker's education and experience.
The average nursery worker salary in the United States is about $19,000.
Additional Sources of Information
American Association of Nurserymen, Inc., Washington, DC 20005
