Plan, organize, direct, control, and coordinate activities of workers engaged in propagating, cultivating, and harvesting horticultural specialties, such as trees, shrubs, flowers, mushrooms, and other plants.
<ul><li>Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.</li><li>Identify plants as well as problems such as diseases, weeds, and insect pests.</li><li>Tour work areas to observe work being done, to inspect crops, and to evaluate plant and soil conditions.</li><li>Assign work schedules and duties to nursery or greenhouse staff, and supervise their work.</li><li>Determine plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules.</li><li>Apply pesticides and fertilizers to plants.</li><li>Hire employees, and train them in gardening techniques.</li><li>Select and purchase seeds, plant nutrients, disease control chemicals, and garden and lawn care equipment.</li><li>Determine types and quantities of horticultural plants to be grown, based on budgets, projected sales volumes, or executive directives.</li><li>Explain and enforce safety regulations and policies.</li><li>Position and regulate plant irrigation systems, and program environmental and irrigation control computers.</li><li>Inspect facilities and equipment for signs of disrepair, and perform necessary maintenance work.</li><li>Coordinate clerical, record-keeping, inventory, requisitioning, and marketing activities.</li><li>Prepare soil for planting, and plant or transplant seeds, bulbs, and cuttings.</li><li>Confer with horticultural personnel to plan facility renovations or additions.</li><li>Cut and prune trees, shrubs, flowers, and plants.</li><li>Provide information to customers on the care of trees, shrubs, flowers, plants, and lawns.</li><li>Construct structures and accessories such as greenhouses and benches.</li></ul>