Garden Nursery Assistant

Typical Salary

£13,000 To £19,000

Typical Hours

46 to 48 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How To Become a Garden Nursery Assistant

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include:

Level 1 Certificate in Horticulture
Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture

2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a horticultural and landscape operative intermediate apprenticeship.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You could apply directly for jobs in a nursery or garden centre. There are no set requirements but employers will expect you to have a keen interest in plants and horticulture. Experience or qualifications in gardening, horticulture or retail work would be helpful.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to work well with others
the ability to work on your own
to be flexible and open to change
persistence and determination
physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
the ability to work well with your hands
physical fitness and endurance
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

In your day-to-day duties you may:

load and unload deliveries
prune, shape and space plants
weed, water and feed
pot seedlings
monitor plant health and quality
re-stock plant displays
serve customers
pick and pack orders for delivery

Working Environment

You could work at a garden centre.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can get more advice about careers in horticulture from Grow Careers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.