LANDSCAPE AND GREENHOUSE LABOURER

There are many entry level opportunities to learn if a career in landscaping and horticulture is right for you. Whether it is a summer job or part-time work, many greenhouses and landscaping companies will provide you with the on-the-job training that is necessary to succeed in the industry. The majority of landscape and horticulture professionals started as labourers and were able to turn an entry level position into a lifelong career.

There are a variety of different roles that are needed for landscaping and horticulture companies to run successfully. Landscape and greenhouse labourers are often responsible for a wide variety of tasks, including maintaining lawns, gardens, athletic fields, golf courses, cemeteries and other landscaped areas. They can also be responsible for planting, cultivating and harvesting trees, shrubs, flowers and other plants. Landscape and greenhouse labourers play key roles in their teams and bring highly valued skills to the landscaping and horticulture industry. Arguably, the most important asset to succeed is a strong work ethic and the willingness to learn.

WHAT ARE OTHER COMMON NAMES FOR A LANDSCAPE AND GREENHOUSE LABOURER?

GREENHOUSE WORKER, HORTICULTURIST HELPER, NURSERY WORKER, LANDSCAPE GARDENER, GROUNDSKEEPER, GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER

What will you do?

Landscape and greenhouse labourers have a skillset that plays an important role in all landscaping and greenhouse work. In general, they:

Spread top soil, lay sod, plant flowers, grass, shrubs and trees, and perform other duties to assist with the construction or maintenance of a landscape
Cut grass, rake, aerate, dethatch, fertilize, and water lawns, weed gardens, prune shrubs and trees, and perform other maintenance duties as directed by a supervisor
Maintain lawns and grass along roadsides
Monitor plants for healthy growth and potential weed, insect, disease, and fertilizer problems in greenhouse crops
Use hand tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruning saws, saws, hedge or brush trimmers, or axes
Operate landscaping equipment such as walk behind mowers, commercial mowers, push mowers, string trimmers, and leaf blowers

Where will you work?

Landscape and greenhouse labourers are in demand at many different landscaping, nursery, and garden centre organizations across Ontario. These include:

What advancement opportunities are available?

Landscape and greenhouse labourers are the backbone of the landscaping industry. Many individuals grow their careers in the landscaping industry by starting as landscape or greenhouse labourers. The potential career paths for a landscape and greenhouse labourer are plentiful! On-the-job training, in combination with in-school training, can help landscape and greenhouse labourers to excel in the industry. With enough experience, landscape and greenhouse labourers may advance to leadership positions at landscaping companies or garden centres. Some start their own companies or work as consultants.

Future employment prospects for landscape and greenhouse labourers in Ontario are very positive. In 2020, there were over 2,200 job postings for landscape and greenhouse labourers across Ontario.

What can you expect to earn?

In Ontario, the median annual wage for a Landscape And Greenhouse Labourer is $35,880. Pending experience, responsibilities, location, hours of work, and qualifications a Landscape And Greenhouse Labourer can expect to make between $29,848 and $62,400.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE A LANDSCAPE AND GREENHOUSE LABOURER?

Work Context

Work outdoors, exposed to weather

Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls

Work in a team and engage in problem solving

Interact with customers and clients

Work Attributes

Attention to detail

Integrity

Cooperation with others

Self-control

Dependability

Initiative

What education and certifications do I need to do this work?

HOW DO I BECOME A LANDSCAPE AND GREENHOUSE LABOURER IN ONTARIO?

Most landscape and greenhouse labourers need no formal education and are trained on the job. There are licenses and certifications that landscape and greenhouse labourers can obtain for working with certain materials and tools. These could include pesticide and fertilizer licenses or heavy equipment licenses.

While landscape and greenhouse labourers often do not require formal education or training, Ontario colleges and other industry associations offer training and education programs on landscaping and greenhouse work. This can give individuals who are looking to start their landscaping careers a solid foundation in landscaping and greenhouse knowledge and expertise. Many employers look to hire landscape and greenhouse labourers who can show that they have a strong work ethic, a good attitude, and enjoy working outdoors, regardless of their experience or education.

In-school training in combination with on-the-job training can include, but is not limited to:

Plant material and plant-handling techniques
Safe handling and operation of hand tools and equipment
Turf grass management
Hardscape and softscape installation techniques
Landscape construction
Pest management
Landscape equipment maintenance
Irrigation (components, pipe layout and spray rates)
Site layout, and grading and drainage
Applied safety procedures and first aid

Although landscape and greenhouse labourers are considered to be an entry level position, it is a great place to explore all that the landscaping and horticulture industry has to offer. After acquiring on-the-job training and experience, landscape and greenhouse labourers can branch out and specialize in a variety of other roles within the industry.

Programs and Apprenticeships

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