Agriculture & EnvironmentISCO 9214
Horticulture worker
A horticultural worker is a person who does the practical work of growing plants in a nursery or glasshouse, from preparing the ground to getting the crop into store.
Check yourself in a minute: horticulture worker
Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
maintain storage facilities
harvest crop
execute fertilisation
propagate plants
use gardening equipment
About horticulture worker
The work of a horticulture worker is best understood through the growing year. The worker prepares the growing area, propagates plants from seed, cuttings or divisions, and then looks after them as they grow: watering, feeding, spacing, and pruning to shape the plant and keep it productive. The glasshouse itself needs tending, since temperature, ventilation and humidity are what make growing under glass work at all. When the crop is ready the worker carries out the harvest, then stores it and maintains the storage facilities so that what was grown does not spoil before it is sold.
Horticultural equipment is used throughout, from hand tools to powered machinery, and keeping it in working order is part of the routine.
Horticulture skills are mostly learned by doing. The work asks for knowledge of how particular plants behave, a feel for when something is stressed before it shows clear damage, physical stamina for long periods of bending, kneeling and lifting, and the acceptance that the work follows the season rather than a calendar. A horticulture labourer may specialise in one crop or move between several across the year. Requirements for the post are set by the employer.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a horticulture worker.
1
Crop Preparation and Planting
- Prepare planting areas by tilling soil, removing weeds, and improving soil conditions
- Plant seeds and seedlings according to spacing and depth specifications
- Propagate plants through cuttings, division, or seed collection techniques
2
Crop Monitoring and Maintenance
- Monitor field conditions including soil moisture, temperature, and pest presence daily
- Execute fertilization programs and apply nutrients according to crop requirements
- Prune plants to maintain shape, remove dead material, and promote healthy growth
- Maintain greenhouse conditions including ventilation, watering, and temperature control
3
Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling
- Harvest crops at appropriate maturity stages using proper techniques to minimize damage
- Sort and grade harvested products according to quality standards and size specifications
- Store crops in appropriate conditions to maintain freshness and quality
4
Equipment and Facility Maintenance
- Use and maintain gardening equipment including hoes, rakes, spades, and pruning tools
- Maintain storage facilities for seeds, tools, and harvested products
5
Greenhouse Management
- Maintain greenhouse structures, repair damage, and ensure proper functioning of irrigation systems
- Manage nutrient delivery systems and water distribution throughout the greenhouse
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (13)
maintain storage facilitiesmaintain storage facilitiesMaintain or ensure the maintenance of cleaning equipment, heating or air conditioning of storage facilities and the temperature of premises.harvest cropharvest cropMow, pick or cut agricultural crop products manually or using appropriate tools and machinery. Taking into account the relevant quality criteria of products, hygiene prescriptions and using the approp...execute fertilisationexecute fertilisationCarry out fertilisation tasks by hand or using appropriate equipment according to fertilisation instructions taking into account the environmental, health and safety regulations and procedures.propagate plantspropagate plantsCarry out propagation activities by appling appropriate propagation methods such as grafted cutting propagation or generative propagation considering the plant type. Carry out propagation control cons...use gardening equipmentuse gardening equipmentUse gardening equipment such as clippers, sprayers, mowers, chainsaws, complying to health and safety regulations.maintain the greenhousemaintain the greenhousePerform maintenance work on greenhouses. Clean greenhouse windows, drains and gutters.prune plantsprune plantsCarry out pruning with relevant tools, related to the different purposes like maintenance pruning, pruning for growth, pruning for fruiting, debudding and volume reduction.store cropsstore cropsStore and preserve crops in accordance with standards and regulations to ensure their quality. Ensure that storage facilities are kept according to hyginic standards, regulating temperature, heating a...grow plantsgrow plantsCarry out plant growing activities. Carry out grow control considering the required terms and conditions for specific plant type.prepare planting areaprepare planting areaPrepare planting area and soil for planting by for example fertilising, mulching by hand or using mechanical tools or machinery. Prepare seeds and plants for sowing and planting by ensuring the qualit...store productsstore productsKeep products in a safe place in order to maintain their quality. Ensure the stock facilities meet hygiene standards, regulating temperature, heating and air conditioning of storage facilities.monitor fieldsmonitor fieldsMonitor orchards, fields and production areas to forecast when crops will be fully grown. Estimate how much damage the weather may cause to crops.nurse plantsnurse plantsDetermine the need for nursing activities and carry out nursing by cultivating, maintaining, watering and spraying the plants and trees manually or using appropriate equipment, taking into account the...
Optional (46) — show
quality criteria for storage facilitiesquality criteria for storage facilitiesQuality criteria for storage facilities such as safe locking systems, ventilation, regularly inspected fireproofing systems, etc.organic farmingorganic farmingPrinciples, techniques and regulations of organic farming. Organic farming or ecological agriculture is an agricultural production method, which places a strong emphasis on environmental protection an...food safety principlesfood safety principlesScientific background of food safety which includes preparation, handling, and storage of food to minimise the risk of foodborne illness and other health hazards.crop production principlescrop production principlesPrinciples in growing crops, the natural cycle, nursing of nature, growth conditions and principles of organic and sustainable production. Quality criterias and requirements of seeds, plants and crop.greenhouse typesgreenhouse typesDifferent types of greenhouses (plastic, glass) and other horticultural facilities such as hotbed, seedbed, irrigations systems, storage and protective facilities etc.soil structuresoil structureDiversity of soil elements and types of soil in relation to plant growth.plant speciesplant speciesThe variety of plants, trees and shrubs and their special characteristics.types of storage facilitiestypes of storage facilitiesDifferent types of devices and facilities used to hold information and their quality criterias.aeroponicsaeroponicsThe cultivation of plants without the use of an aggregate medium such as soil. The roots of plants are directly exposed to the surrounding air or mist and irrigated with nutrient solutions.watering principleswatering principlesMethods, principles and systems for supplying water to land or crops by means of pipes, sprinklers, ditches or streams.pruning techniquespruning techniquesThe techniques of selectively removing parts of trees and plants to foster better growth and regeneration.agronomyagronomyThe study of combining agriculture production and protection and regeneration of natural environment. It includes the principles and methods of critical selection and adequate application methods for ...hydroponicshydroponicsThe cultivation of plants without the use of soil, by applying mineral nutrient solutions.fertilisation principlesfertilisation principlesThe study of plant, soil structure, climatic and environmental issues in agronomical production.plant harvest methodsplant harvest methodsThe various methods, timing and equipment involved in harvesting different crops and plants.integrated pest managementintegrated pest managementAn integrated approach to the prevention and/or suppression of organisms harmful to plants that aims to keep the use of pesticides and other forms of intervention only to levels that are economically ...customer relationship managementcustomer relationship managementThe customer-oriented management approach and basic principles of successful customer relations that focus on interactions with customers such as technical support, customer services, after-sales supp...horticulture principleshorticulture principlesThe standard horticultural practices, including but not limited to planting, pruning, corrective pruning, and fertilisation.agritourismagritourismAspects of agritourism involving agriculturally based activities to bring visitors to a farm.plant propagationplant propagationTypes of different propagation methods, materials and seeds and their criteria for health and quality.plant disease controlplant disease controlTypes and features of diseases in plants and crops. Different kinds control methods, activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop, environmental an...pruning typespruning typesDifferent approached to pruning trees, such as thinning, removal, etc.apply sustainable tillage techniquesapply sustainable tillage techniquesApply sustainable tillage techniques such as conservation tillage or no till farming in order to minimise the impact on soil.coordinate greenhouse environmentcoordinate greenhouse environmentTake care of the heating and cooling of greenhouses. Work together with the Grounds and Buildings Manager in keeping the irrigation systems and the horticultural equipment in good condition.promote farm productspromote farm productsExplain the characteristics of a product and the way it was produced.create flower arrangementscreate flower arrangementsSelect suitable flora and foliage to create floral arrangements and match arrangements with decorative accessories such as pieces of ceramic and vases.apply alternate wetting and drying techniquesapply alternate wetting and drying techniquesImplement alternate wetting and drying techniques in rice cultivation by applying irrigation water a few days after the disappearance of ponded water. Use a water tube to monitor water depth.prepare flower arrangementsprepare flower arrangementsPrepare and arrange flower compositions according to design by applying necessary techniques and using necessary materials.pick orders of agricultural productspick orders of agricultural productsAssemble and prepare customer orders based on agricultural product knowledge.advise on plant fertilizeradvise on plant fertilizerDiscuss and recommend different types of fertilisers, and explain when and how they should be prepared and applied.keep task recordskeep task recordsOrganise and classify records of prepared reports and correspondence related to the performed work and progress records of tasks.process flower bulbsprocess flower bulbsMechanical clean, disinfect and process flower bulbs.provide agri-touristic servicesprovide agri-touristic servicesProvide services for agri-tourism activities on the farm. This may include providing B & B services, small scale catering, supporting agri-tourism activities and leisure such as riding, locally gu...present the farm facilitiespresent the farm facilitiesPerform customer adapted presentations of the farm organization and farm processes taking under consideration the farm sustainability and local environment.direct the preparation of fooddirect the preparation of foodOversee the preparation of a variety of dishes such as soups, salads, fish, meats, vegetables or desserts. Participate in and direct food preparation either on a day-to-day basis, or for special guest...advise customers on types of flowersadvise customers on types of flowersProvide customers with advice on types and varieties of plants and flowers, floral arrangements and decorations for specific occasions.perform on-farm product processingperform on-farm product processingTransform the primary farm product by tools and/or machinery into elaborated food products, respecting the quality objectives, hygiene and security legislation or rules.carry out work related calculations in agriculturecarry out work related calculations in agricultureCalculate different kinds of on-site requirements in the agricultural, fishery and forestry sector by taking care of marketing and budgets.handle veterinary emergencieshandle veterinary emergenciesHandle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.implement landscaping projectsimplement landscaping projectsImplement soft and hard landscaping works such as paving, retainer walls, pathways or irrigation systems based on already identified sites and according to landscaping plans.sell flowerssell flowersSell natural and artificial flowers, potted plants, soil, floral accessories, fertilisers and seeds.select adequate packaging for food productsselect adequate packaging for food productsChoose the appropriate packages for food products taking into account attractiveness and suitability of the package. Use proper packaging for sending it safely and at a reasonable cost. Have awareness...execute disease and pest control activitiesexecute disease and pest control activitiesExecute disease and pest control activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the climate, plant or crop type, health and safety and environmental regulations. Store and han...use agricultural information systems and databasesuse agricultural information systems and databasesUse relevant information systems and databases to plan, manage and operate agricultural enterprise and production.place orders for flower productsplace orders for flower productsCommunicate with wholesale suppliers and place orders for flowers, plants, fertilisers and seeds.pest control in plantspest control in plantsTypes and features of pests in plants and crops. Different kinds of pest control methods, activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop, environment...
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a horticulture worker do?
Horticulture workers carry out practical activities and assist in nurseries or greenhouses for the production of horticultural crops.
What skills does a horticulture worker need?
A horticulture worker needs 13 essential skills, including maintain storage facilities, harvest crop, execute fertilisation, propagate plants, use gardening equipment.
Will AI replace horticulture worker jobs?
The AI disruption score for horticulture worker is 23/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: carry out work related calculations in agriculture, keep task records, types of storage facilities. Most resilient: maintain the greenhouse, provide agri-touristic services, implement landscaping projects.
AI Replacement Risk
23/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupAgricultural, forestry and fishery labourers
Essential Skills13
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