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Nursery Workers

TRENDS

As more farm land in California is turned to housing and business use, the 
demand for landscaping plants, shrubs, and shade trees goes up.  Also, the 
recent droughts in the state are increasing interest and demand for less 
thirsty and more drought resistant plants.


THE JOB

Horticulture is the science of growing flowers, trees, shrubs, and other 
plants in gardens, orchards, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses.  A 
nursery is a place where plants are raised for sale, transplanting, 
testing and Research.  NURSERY WORKERS help to conserve natural resources 
and make the environment beautiful.  They plant, tend, fertilize, and 
sometimes harvest flowers, shrubs, and other plants.  They work indoors in 
greenhouses and water gardens, as well as outdoors in parks, private and 
public gardens, flower farms, and fruit orchards.

Horticultural workers in nurseries are involved in the growing and selling 
of flowers and plants.  Recording the growth of plants is an important part 
of the job.  They must also know how to grow, transplant, feed, protect, 
store, prune, and handle plants for the best results.  Other horticultural 
workers plant, prune, feed, and provide pest control for trees. Others help 
to plant and grow turf grass and help to keep up grounds and landscaping.  
These workers may help grow sod for sale, help sell seeds, fertilizers, and 
insect killers needed by every type of grower.

Some workers specialize in planting, growing, and harvesting flowering bulbs 
and flowers (Farmworker, Bulbs) while others may harvest and bundle flowers 
as members of work crews (Flower Pickers).  Nursery workers may also be 
known by where they work as Greenhouse Worker or by crop specialty or 
technique as Bean-Sprout Laborer, Hydroponics Worker.

Some horticultural workers haul and spread topsoil, fertilizer, peat moss, 
and other things to improve the soil.  They also must trap and poison pests, 
such as moles, gophers, and mice.  These may also have to take care of and 
repair water cultivation and climate control systems.

Highly skilled and experienced horticultural workers may also act as 
supervisors.  They may also estimate the amount of different soil treatments 
needed to solve problems such as how much fertilizer per acre will make 
farmland the most productive.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions are usually nice.  Whether working indoors in a green-
house or outdoors in a park or public garden, horticultural workers are 
surrounded by all types of flowers and other plant life.  Outdoor working 
conditions change with the season so that it can be very hot and cold at 
times.  Workers allergic to certain plants, insect poisons, or chemical 
sprays and fertilizers may have serious problems in this type of work.  
Workers may also work in greenhouses where the temperature and humidity are 
controlled.

In many cases, the work demands hard physical work, including heavy lifting, 
bending, digging, and sometimes handling heavy equipment. 


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

Horticultural Workers are a part of the bigger occupational group of Nursery 
Workers.

The California Projections of Employment, published by the Labor Market 
Information Division of the Employment Development Department, estimates 
that the number Nursery Workers in California will reach 14,820 by 2005, an 
increase in new jobs of 6,860 over the number there was in 1993.

There will also be an estimated 3,090 job openings due to people retiring or 
leaving the occupation.  Added to the 6,860 new jobs expected, this makes 
for an estimated total of 9,950 job opportunities through 2005.

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)

Nursery Workers ranks among the top fifty fastest growing jobs in California.

California leads the U.S. in the production and use of ornamental plants in 
landscape projects and floral design.  Job opportunities depend mainly on 
the construction industry, particularly home building.  As the economy 
continues to recover, there should be a demand for trained Nursery Workers 
during all the 1990s.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Nursery Workers with little or no experience earn from minimum wage to $7.00 
per hour.  Those with some experience can earn the minimum to $9.00 per 
hour.  Wages for Nursery Workers with three years of experience with the 
same firm go from $6.00 to $12.00 hourly. 

Weekend, holiday, and overtime work is common during the summer and growing 
season which could run from February through August.  Some employers have 
fringe benefits such as paid vacations, sick leave, holidays, and health 
insurance.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

Most employers require that even beginners have some knowledge of how to 
care for the plants they grow.  Helpful high school courses include 
chemistry, biology, and botany.  Most workers start in entry level labor or 
sales jobs and work under an experienced horticulturist.

Some employers require new employees to have taken courses given by 
community colleges or by the California Association of Nurserymen.


ADVANCEMENT

Generally, most workers advance to supervisory positions after years of 
experience and demonstrated knowledge of their field.  In some cases, a two 
to four year college degree in horticulture may be necessary to advance to 
management positions.


FINDING THE JOB

Nurseries with greenhouses are the main employers of horticultural workers.  
Those looking for this job can read newspapers or telephone books, 
especially along the coast from San Mateo County south to San Diego where 
most of the largest growers are located.  Summer or after school jobs can 
lead to full-time jobs with the same employer.  Applying directly to firms 
is a way of finding work.  Colleges and universities have placement offices 
for horticultural degree candidates.  The Workforce Services Offices of the 
Employment Development Department is another source for jobs.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Additional information regarding horticultural work and horticulture may be 
obtained from the following organizations:

California Association of Nurserymen
4620 Northgate Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 567-0200

American Society for Horticultural Science
701 N. Saint Asaph Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1998
(703) 836-4606

RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Horticulturists                    No. 396

OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Farm Worker, Bulbs             405.683-010
Horticultural Worker I         405.684-014
Flower Picker                  405.687-010
Horticultural Worker II        405.687-014
Tree-Surgeon Helper II         408.687-018

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Nursery Workers                     790050


Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department,
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
         (916) 262-2162.