Horticulturist

Horticulturists are agricultural scientists whose focus is finding a better way to develop, grow, harvest, store, process, and ship fruits, vegetables, and decorative plants. They work with orchards, fields, gardens, nurseries, and greenhouse plants to research and conduct tests related to breeding, spraying, and harvesting plants. Horticulturists also use their expertise to develop new plant varieties, such as varieties that can better resist insects or disease or are better adapted to growing in various climates and soils.

At a Glance

Imagine a local newspaper is interviewing you about a plant that has been in the news a lot lately. You are a horticulturist working for the city's parks department and an expert on a flowering plant called Whenthorn. The Whenthorn perennial is a popular decoration in city flowerbeds because it is hardy and its large, colourful blooms last for months each summer. Unfortunately, this plant can also be dangerously toxic, and it has become your job to educate area gardeners on the risks of Whenthorn and convince them to dig it up.

As a horticulturist, you have spent years training and working with decorative plants like Whenthorn. But Whenthorn's flowers, unlike most, damage flowerbeds and even the urban ecosystem each year they are permitted to bloom. With its small, acidic leaves that decompose and lower the pH of the soil, and roots that suck up all the soil's moisture and nutrients, Whenthorn effectively chokes out all other plants in its bed. Its beautiful blooms are also highly toxic to animals that chance a taste, including birds and sometimes even neighbourhood dogs and cats. Because of its nasty nature, you want to see the area rid of Whenthorn, so you have started a campaign to pull it out of every garden and flowerbed in the city.

You've volunteered as a horticulture expert on television and radio talk shows, conducted dozens of media interviews, and organized neighbourhood clean-ups. Next week, you will host a demonstration showing residents how to remove all traces of Whenthorn, rehabilitate damaged beds and recommend what plants can replace the colourful Whenthorn. Keeping city gardens safe and healthy is an important part of your job.

Job Duties

Job duties vary from one position to the next, but in general, horticulturists are involved in the following activities:

Prepare soils for planting.
Plant seeds and tend and harvest plants.
Monitor plant growth and health, including collecting and analyzing data from plantings and test plots.
Propagate plants, including collecting seeds, grafting, dividing rootstock, and de-budding flowers, trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants.
Apply garden chemicals, including fertilizers and pesticides.
Research new varieties of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, including how and where they grow best.
Research new methods for cropping, storing, and processing.
Sell plants and horticulture products to clients and the general public, including assessing plant quality and markets.
Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, including food safety regulations and the import and export of injurious pests and diseases.
Create planting plans for gardens, including timing and plant rotation.
Work with industry to address issues related to competitiveness and sustainability.

Work Environment

Horticulturists work in a variety of locations, including:

The office:

Doing paperwork and analyzing data for reporting
Communicating on the phone and in meetings with clients, government departments, colleagues, and experts in the field
Designing experiments and trials Writing scientific papers
Researching new technology and advancements in horticulture

The field:

Planting, tending, harvesting, and inspecting plants
Meeting with clients and customers and selling products
Assessing the quality, health, and value of plant products
Conducting experiments and trials
Making presentations to industry and colleagues
Consult with clients on all aspects of landscaping
Providing advice to customers on plant selection and care
Mitigate plant diseases and insect problems
Amend poor soil conditions
Work in several aspects of greenhouse and nursery production

Where to Work

There are several places to find work as a horticulturist. They include:

Federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal government departments
Universities and colleges
Nurseries and greenhouses
Horticulture, floriculture, and agriculture research companies
Fruit and vegetable farming operations
Garden centres and plant retailers
Landscapers and property management companies
Self-employed consultant
Not-for-profit and non-governmental organizations
Zoos and botanical gardens

Search for jobs on the ECO Canada Job Board.

Education and Skills

Education

If you are a high school student considering a career as a horticulturist, you should have a strong interest in:

Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
English

If you are a post-secondary student considering a career as a horticulturist, the following programs are most applicable:

Horticulture
Botany
Agronomy
Forestry
Environmental Science

In most cases, the minimum education requirement to work as a horticulturist is a college technical diploma.

Generally, horticulturists don’t require certification. Some practitioners, however, may find employment in industries where it is necessary to become certified as a Professional Forester or Professional Agronomist. Practitioners with an education in biology may also consider applying for Professional Biologist status. The requirements for professional status vary among provinces. Additionally, landscape horticulturists who work with pesticides must have appropriate certification in some jurisdictions.

Our Environmental Professional (EP) designation can also help you progress in your chosen environmental career.

Skills

Technical Skills

Equipment and Tool Selection
Management of Material Resources
Learning and Teaching Strategies
Negotiating
Critical Thinking
Evaluation
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment

Personal and Professional Skills

Adaptability
Attention to Detail
Independence
Active Learning
Analytical Thinking
Collaboration
Creativity
Innovativeness
Leadership
Social Orientation

Environmental employers seek professionals who combine technical knowledge with personal and professional skills. Watch our free webinar “Essential Not Optional: Skills Needed to Succeed in Canada’s Environmental Industry” or take our Essential Skills courses.

Role Models

Alice Kowalchuck

I work at an organic greenhouse—the first commercial greenhouse in Carmacks. On a daily basis, people see me for advice on how to grow their plants. I feel good knowing that I’m contributing to the production of fresh, chemical-free vegetables. Working with plants is very good for my soul and cleanses my mind. I’ve learned everything I know about growing vegetables from my supervisors and coworkers.

The team has been working together for seven years. I’ve learned about medicinal plants, and the importance of having respect for plants and the land in general. I’ve learned how to grow natural, chemical-free plants that are safe to eat. Did you know that you could mix soured milk with water to give plants the calcium they need to grow well, instead of using chemicals? The greenhouse accepts students to come in for work experience.

Four ninth-grade students work with me for part of the summer. They ask a lot of questions and seem fascinated with how plants grow. I hope that many First Nations people go into farming and gardening. I predict that more people will be trained in this field in the future and that there will be job opportunities across Canada for other farm operators. People like having fresh vegetables, so I think there will be job opportunities with commercial greenhouse operations growing vegetables, flowers and herbs, and in landscaping too. I’d like to help make our greenhouse business bigger so that everyone here can have fresh vegetables and to create more jobs too.

Your Impact

Horticulturists engage in scientific investigations and research of fruits and flowers to enhance and refine plant varieties and production techniques used for their cultivation. By conducting experiments and studies, horticulturists can develop new plant varieties that are more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses while also improving the yield and quality of crops. In addition to genetic improvement, horticulturists may explore novel production methods, such as innovative irrigation or fertilization techniques, to increase efficiency and sustainability in agriculture. The work of horticulturists is, therefore, vital to ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply of fruits and flowers for consumers.

Horticulturists work in various fields, such as landscape design, urban planning, and agricultural production. In landscape design, they work to create and maintain aesthetically pleasing outdoor environments by selecting and arranging plants and other elements, such as water features and lighting.

In urban planning, they design green spaces, parks, and recreational areas that are sustainable and ecologically beneficial. Horticulturists are involved in various aspects of urban planning, including landscape architecture, landscape design, urban forestry, and urban horticulture.

In agricultural production, they apply their knowledge to improve crop yield, develop new plant varieties, and manage soil fertility. Horticulturists are essential to sustainable development and play a crucial role in addressing environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity.

Occupational Classification

Horticulturists are classified in the following occupational grouping:

NOC Code: 22114 – Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists

What is an NOC Code?

The National Occupation Classification (NOC) provides a standardized language for describing the work performed by Canadians in the labour market. It gives statisticians, labour market analysts, career counsellors, employers, and individual job seekers a consistent way to collect data and describe and understand the nature of work within different occupations.