Worker, greenhouse/hotbed

Gardeners, horticultural and nursery growers plan, organise and perform operations to grow and maintain trees, shrubs, flowers and other plants in parks and private gardens; produce saplings, bulbs, seeds and seedlings; and grow vegetables and flowers using intensive cultivation techniques for sale or regular delivery to wholesale buyers, marketing organisations or at markets.

• monitoring market conditions and determining the types and quantities of crops to be grown accordingly, and planning and coordinating production;
• preparing the soil by levelling and cultivating it, and installing and operating irrigation systems;
• planting trees, shrubs, garden flowers and grass;
• pruning and trimming trees, shrubs and hedges, staking and protecting trees, rolling and aerating soil, and mowing and maintaining lawns;
• building arbours, benches, paths, walkways, paved areas, swings, sheds, fences, drinking fountains, fountains and other water features in gardens and parks;
• inspecting the condition of trees and other plants, identifying and treating weeds, pests and diseases, applying straw mulch against frost and spreading fertilisers;
• growing flowers and vegetables by intensive cultivation;
• producing saplings, bulbs and seeds, and raising seedlings from seeds or cuttings;
• harvesting, inspecting, cleaning, grading, packing and storing produce intended for sale or delivery to market;
• maintaining buildings, greenhouses and other structures, equipment and water supply systems;
• storing and carrying out primary processing of produce;
• promoting and marketing produce, arranging the sale, purchase and transport of products and supplies, and maintaining records of farm activities and transactions;
• training and supervising production workers, ensuring occupational health and safety, and hiring and dismissing workers and contractors.
• Examples of occupations in this unit group:
• Gardener
• Mushroom grower
• Seed producer
• Sapling producer
• Flower grower