To work as a nursery worker, you typically need to:

• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

You may need a certificate before you can apply pesticides to plants. Certification programs are available through nursery associations or your state agriculture department.

On-the-job training

Nursery workers usually receive informal training on the job from experienced workers. On the job, you learn to:

• use equipment and tools;
• plant and water; and
• provide customer service.

Training may last up to one month. However, it's important to remember that nursery workers continually learn new skills as new flowers and plants arrive or are cultivated.