Greenhouse labourer Needed in Canada by Stevensville Garden Gallery 

Work site environment

• Outdoors

Key Responsibilities:

• Plant Care: Water, fertilize, and trim plants according to the specific needs of each type. This may include adjusting light, humidity, and temperature levels for optimal growth.
• Planting and Transplanting: Assist with planting seeds, seedlings, or young plants into pots or soil. This includes transplanting plants into larger pots or garden beds as they grow.
• Weeding and Pruning: Remove weeds and dead or damaged plants to keep the growing areas clean and ensure healthy plant development. Prune plants to promote growth and remove unnecessary or diseased foliage.
• Harvesting: Assist with harvesting mature plants or crops, such as fruits, vegetables, or flowers. This can involve picking, cutting, and preparing plants for sale or distribution.
• Cleaning and Maintaining Equipment: Clean and maintain tools, pots, trays, watering systems, and other greenhouse equipment to ensure proper functioning and sanitation.
• Pest and Disease Control: Monitor plants for signs of pests or diseases and report any issues to supervisors. Assist in applying pest control treatments or organic remedies to prevent infestations and damage.
• Inventory and Stock Management: Assist in tracking the greenhouse’s supplies, such as seeds, soil, fertilizers, and pesticides. Help maintain proper stock levels and organize materials for easy access.
• Assist in Greenhouse Maintenance: Help maintain the greenhouse structure by cleaning surfaces, windows, and ventilation systems, ensuring the environment remains conducive to plant growth.
• Record Keeping: Maintain records of planting schedules, crop yields, pest control treatments, and any other relevant farm data.

Tasks

• Assist in pruning trees, shrubs and plants
• Water and tend to plants, lawns and/or gardens
• Respond to employee questions and complaints
• Provide customer service

Additional information

Work conditions and physical capabilities

• Repetitive tasks
• Handling heavy loads
• Standing for extended periods

Weight handling

• Up to 23 kg (50 lbs)

Benefits

Other benefits

• Other benefits

Skills and Qualifications:

• Physical Stamina: The role can be physically demanding, involving long hours of standing, bending, kneeling, and lifting. A greenhouse labourer must be able to handle physically challenging tasks in a warm and humid environment.
• Attention to Detail: The ability to observe the health of plants, noting signs of disease or pests, and addressing issues promptly.
• Knowledge of Plant Care: Basic understanding of plant species, growing conditions, and seasonal care. Knowledge of proper watering techniques, fertilization schedules, and common plant diseases is beneficial.
• Teamwork: Ability to work well with others in a greenhouse environment, assisting fellow workers and communicating effectively with supervisors.
• Time Management: Ability to prioritize tasks, especially during peak growing and harvesting seasons, and ensure that daily tasks are completed in a timely manner.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to handle unexpected issues, such as pests or plant disease outbreaks, and help find solutions quickly to minimize crop loss.

Education and Experience:

• Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Some positions may benefit from a background in horticulture, agriculture, or environmental science, although this is not always necessary.
• Experience: Previous experience working with plants, whether in a greenhouse, nursery, or garden, is a plus. On-the-job training is typically provided for those new to greenhouse work.
• Pest and Disease Knowledge: Experience with pest management or knowledge of common plant diseases can be beneficial for ensuring healthy crops and successful plant growth.
• First Aid: Some employers may provide or require basic first aid training, especially if there are any hazardous chemicals or equipment involved in the greenhouse environment.

Work Environment:

Greenhouse labourers work in controlled environments where temperature, humidity, and light are regulated to ensure the optimal growth of plants. The work is typically done indoors but can sometimes be physically demanding, with workers needing to manage heavy bags of soil or large plant pots. Greenhouses may be hot and humid, especially during the growing season, and workers may be exposed to soil, fertilizers, and pesticides.