Working at a plant nursery can be an exciting job. You get to spend the entire day with plants enjoying the warmth of the greenhouse and it can be a very relaxing job too. Whether you are thinking about this type of job or have recently become employed by a plant nursery, the following tips might come in handy. Here are 5 tips for those working at nurseries.
5. Learn to Notice the Signs of Pests and Disease
The quicker you can nip either of these in the bud, the better off the plants will be. Having a severe break out of any type of pests, fungus, or disease can be detrimental to a nursery.
4. Protect Your Skin
Most likely you will be outside and interacting with plants you’ve possibly never seen before. Sunblock is the key to preventing a severe burn, but this should be common sense. Wearing long sleeves and light cotton gloves should be enough to keep your skin protected against any plants that may irritate it.
3. Be Prepared for Lots of Laborious Tasks
You will be lifting bags of soil, carrying hoses for watering the plants, moving seedlings around from one building to the next, and you might eve be shoveling mulch or sand too. Make sure you are up for this type of work. A strong back and lack of laziness are two key attributes you will need.
2. Don’t Take Plants without Asking
Just because a plant looks sickly and you think it might be ready for the garbage, don’t take it home without asking first. I worked at a nursery when I was in college and the owner was more than willing to let workers take home plants that looked rather down in the dumps, as long as he was consulted first.
1. Be Familiar with the Plants You Are Working with
I find it frustrating when I ask a worker at a nursery a question about the plant I have in my hand and the worker stares at me blankly. Know what types of plants you have in stock and what their likes and dislikes are. Trust me; people purchasing plants will greatly appreciate your knowledgeable answers.
Out of these 5 tips, do you find any that are useful?
Top Photo Credit: Naren97
Frequently Asked Questions
- What should I wear when working at a nursery?
- Oh, comfort is key! You wanna go for sturdy shoes, breathable clothes, and maybe a hat to keep the sun off your face. Trust me, you'll thank yourself.
- How do I handle heavy lifting at a garden center?
- Always use your legs to lift, not your back! And don't be afraid to ask for help. Better safe than sorry, right?
- Any tips for staying hydrated?
- Absolutely! Keep a water bottle with you at all times and take frequent sips. Working with plants can be pretty dehydrating, especially on hot days.
- What should I do if I encounter pests while working?
- First, don't panic! Wear gloves if you need to handle plants with pests, and let your supervisor know. They’ll have a plan for pest management.
- How can I learn more about the plants at the nursery?
- Ask lots of questions! Your co-workers are a goldmine of information. And don't be shy about looking up plants in a book or online during your downtime.