Nursery and greenhouse labourers

Overview

Nursery and greenhouse labourers plant, cultivate and harvest trees, shrubs, flowers and plants, and serve nursery and greenhouse customers. They are employed in indoor and outdoor nurseries and greenhouses.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Prepare soil; plant bulbs, seeds and cuttings; graft and bud plants; and transplant seedlings and rooted cuttings

  • Monitor plants for healthy growth and potential weed, insect, disease, and fertilizer problems in greenhouse crops

  • Spray trees, shrubs, flowers and plants to prevent disease and pests

  • Position and regulate greenhouse and outdoor irrigation systems to water plants and fields

  • Dig, cut and transplant trees, shrubs, flowers and plants and prepare them for sale

  • Provide information to customers on gardening, the use of various garden tools and products and the care of trees, shrubs, flowers, plants and lawns

  • May operate tractors and other machinery and equipment to fertilize, cultivate, harvest and spray fields and plants

  • Maintain inventory and order materials as required

  • Clean working areas.

Job titles

  • cannabis trim labourer
  • cannabis trimmer
  • Christmas tree shearer
  • Christmas tree trimmer
  • forest assistant nursery
  • forest nursery labourer

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2024 edition

Annual salary

Low

$36,289

Median

$37,228

High

$60,482

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

338

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school may be required.

  • Completion of college courses in horticulture or a related field may be required.

  • On-the-job training is provided.

Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory positions, such as greenhouse supervisor, is possible with experience.

Certification requirements

  • No certification requirements

Post-secondary programs in B.C.

No post-secondary education required

No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.

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