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Production operatives have an important role in monitoring and picking crops in protected horticultural environments.

Horticultural production operative (protected planting)

A horticultural production operative helps produce protected crops to a high standard in a sustainable and profitable nursery (plant growing) business.

Also known as production operative, horticultural production worker, assistant grower or growing assistant.

Production operatives have an important role in monitoring and picking crops in protected horticultural environments.

This profile highlights the skills and knowledge associated with the role. However, jobs will have varying responsibilities depending on level of the role and the size or type of the business.

Protected plant production means growing plants in a sheltered environment, such as a glass house, a polytunnel, or a vertical farm, to extend the growing season and produce as many healthy plants as possible.

Plants are grown in an environment where temperature, water, lighting, pests, and plant nutrition are carefully controlled. This helps create the best growing conditions.

As a horticultural production operative, you’ll help look after crops at all stages of their development. This will include planting, harvesting, and preventing disease and pests.

You’ll also help manage the environment where plants grow and use plant-growing technology and equipment. For example, you’ll keep a close eye on temperature and lighting controls, apply nutrients, and manage the watering of plants.

You’ll work in a team supervised by a team leader or farm manager.

Working hours can vary depending on the season and the size and type of nursery. You might be asked to work overtime or at weekends during busier times.

Full-time, part-time, seasonal, and casual opportunities are available.

You may need your own transport to get to work.

As a horticultural production operative, your responsibilities might include:

Helping grow, look after, pick, and harvest the crops
Helping process fresh products
Supporting crop husbandry (growing) by following set processes
Monitoring the crops and identifying/reporting issues such as pests and diseases
Checking and monitoring the growing environment, including the temperature, light, and moisture levels
Helping apply fertilisers and plant feed to meet regulations and best practice
Helping meet production targets
Following the nursery’s health and safety rules
Using nursery technology, equipment, and machinery safely
Following procedures and best practices so plants grow efficiently

To work as a production operative in protected planting, you should:

Have excellent communication skills
Be positive and motivated
Be committed and reliable
Enjoy working in a team and under your initiative
Be keen to develop skills and knowledge
Be able to complete a variety of tasks with guidance
Be able to spot and report issues

You don't necessarily need any formal training for some entry-level jobs in horticulture. However, you may choose to study to help you understand the industry better. The Royal Horticultural Society has various full-time, part-time, and online courses.

Apprenticeships are also available, where you can learn and earn at the same time.

You can also get experience by volunteering with a nursery or smallholding, a local city farm, a community garden, a garden centre, or an allotment. If you would like to find one in your area, you can visit the Social Farms and Gardens website.

Reading horticultural newspapers and magazines will also develop your knowledge and understanding.

Whatever route you choose, you’ll need to be flexible, keen to learn, and have a keen interest in plants.

As a horticultural production operative (protected planting), you’ll have the following competencies to produce protected crops to a high standard in a sustainable and profitable nursery:

Boost sustainability, support good environmental practices, and meet production targets
Manage the indoor environment effectively
Meet the relevant health and safety standards
Help with crop production planning
Follow nursery procedures for good quality crop production
Maximise productivity and look after plant health
Make sure harvesting and crop storage is successful
Use the appropriate technology, machinery, and equipment

Download our Protected horticulture production operative competency profile to find out more about these competencies and how they map with our Capability Framework.

Salaries are in the region of £14,000 to £23,000, depending on experience and location.

As a horticultural production operative, there are many opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge. You could choose to explore other areas of horticulture. For example, if you’re working in protected growing, you might want to get experience in the field or work with other crops.

As you gain more experience, you could also move on to a supervisor role or a production manager by taking further qualifications and developing your technical and management skills.