Horticulturist Jobs

Annual Care

Install, remove, deadhead, fertilize. Process includes repetitive loading, unloading and transporting trays of annuals. Bed preparation is digging and lifting shovels of soil, use of wheelbarrow, operation of tiller, grading with rakes using force. Includes maintenance of hanging baskets and container plantings.

Requires alternate reaching, lifting, carrying, balancing, stooping, stretching, and gripping of hand tools. Trays of annuals, sometimes weighing over 15 pounds, are unloaded from nursery racks up to eight foot high. Tiller requires lateral control of heavy vibration. Unloading of debris into dumpsters requires overhead lifting.

Mowing

Policing area for debris, operating walk-behind or riding mower and operating 22 lb. Backpack blower for clean up. Also includes operation of stick edgers and weed eaters for detail trimming.

Process includes repetitive reaching, lifting, stooping, stretching and gripping. Blower is carried on the back, and requires balance and strength. String trimmers and stick edgers require controlled outstretched arm movements for extended periods. Mower use includes gripping of hand brake or driving mechanism.

Tree Pruning

Using hand loppers, pole pruners, chain saws and other tools to selectively remove branches and unwanted growth form trees. Cleanup of debris includes loading, transporting, and unloading into dumpsters.

Involves constant and repetitive overhead reaching, lifting and gripping with force, while maintaining balance. Also, stooping, lifting and pulling are required. High-reach, bucket truck, ladders, and climbing are means of access requiring balance and strength. Otherwise pruning is conducted from the ground with extension tools of effectively increased weight.

Shrub Pruning

Operating hand or power equipment to selectively cut plant material at varying heights, followed by clean up of debris.

Method includes very repetitive reaching and gripping, and raking, lifting and bagging of debris. Debris bags are also loaded, transported, and unloaded into dumpster by lifting weight overhead.

Fertilizing and Seeding

Operating fertilizer spreader or carrying bucket (25 lbs. or higher) and over-seed with annual grasses.

Loading fertilizers into mechanical spreader or container for manual distribution routinely requires controlled lifting of 50 pound bags. Manual distribution involves maintaining balance, careful stepping, and stooping simultaneously.

Mulching

Loading, unloading and spreading mulch in plant beds.

Repetitive shoveling, forking, and lifting of debris. Controlled movement of loaded wheelbarrow is often required, as well as lifting, shoveling or forking old mulch well overhead into dumpsters.

Raking and Sweeping

Using hand rake to gather materials.

Forceful pulling and pushing, and lifting of debris.

Sod Work

Remove sod, prepare planting area, and install sod. Carry and stack pallets.

Operation of sod cutter requires substantial strength for controlled lifting and turning of equipment. To remove sod, force is used with shovel, and lifting is required to transfer pieces for disposal with shovels or pitchfork. Base is often prepared with manual addition of sand by shovels as well. Pallet handling requires strength and overhead lifting.

Equipment Maintenance

Cleaning, preserving finishes, checking fluid levels, lubricating.

Physical lifting and carrying of gasoline and grease in 5 gallon commercial containers is required. Repetitive force is needed for correct operation of grease guns and other methods of lubrication. Protecting equipment finishes involves repetitive circular motions with pressure.

Plant Replacement

Digging and removing plants, digging and installing new plants.

Substantial repetitive use of shovels and spades is required, with lifting above the head necessary in many instances. Strength and control with the arms is needed for power auger use. Containerized plant material is manually carried in to new planting areas, and larger material transported on dolly or cart must be carefully lifted and placed with control.

Watering

Connecting and dragging water hoses for hand watering.

Forceful control and lifting of weighted hoses and watering cans is required, using outstretched arm movements for extended periods of time.