Horticultural Tradesperson

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

Horticultural tradespersons may perform the following tasks:

identify and correct soil deficiencies
identify and treat pests and diseases on 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, trimming and making sure that plants are receiving adequate water
prune trees and hedges to promote the health and positive appearance 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.

Specialisations:

Arboriculture Worker

An arboriculture worker cares for and maintains trees in urban environments. The work may include tree climbing using ropes and harness, or operating from elevated platforms. Machinery used may include chainsaws, chippers and stump grinders. At ground level, much of the work involves cleaning up and chipping fallen branches and maintaining a safe environment. Senior workers, sometimes called tree surgeons, provide specialist advice on tree evaluation, assessment and treatment.

Floriculturist

A floriculturist produces fresh and dried flowers and foliage for wholesale, flower markets, florists and retail outlets, and increasingly for overseas export. The range of different flowers and foliage is huge and could include roses, carnations, orchids, native flowers, bulb and annual flowers, and tropical flowers. Some flower farms also grow flowers in open fields for their essential oils.

Gardener

A 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

A greenkeeper, also known as groundsperson or turf keeper, prepares, establishes and manages fine turf, grassed areas and synthetic surfaces used for sport. Greenkeepers may look after golf courses, bowling greens, tennis courts, cricket wickets, ovals, race courses, sports playing fields, recreational parks and grounds of schools and colleges. They may also do domestic and commercial mowing and lawn maintenance operations, and work on commercial turf farms.

Landscape Gardener

A landscape gardener designs and constructs garden landscapes or renovates existing gardens. They use a wide range of gardening skills to create a landscape that is pleasing to look at as well as functional. Sites include private gardens, public parks and reserves, indoor facilities and newly developed housing estates and industrial complexes. They may also construct fences, trellises, pergolas, ponds, ferneries, barbecues, play structures and garden furniture.

Nursery Worker

A nursery worker grows and sells plants. Some work with a broad range of plants, while others specialise in areas such as native plants, flower seedlings and bulbs, advanced trees, ferns or flowers. Retail nurseries sell to the general public and offer advice on plants and products. Wholesale nurseries propagate and supply plants to supermarkets, retail nurseries, garden centres, indoor plant hire and maintenance companies, and to landscapers.

Horticultural tradespersons usually work outdoors and in all kinds of weather. Some of the work is physically demanding as it involves bending, lifting and handling 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.

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.

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