Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain and care for containerised nursery plants.
It applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context. All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare to work | 1.1 Clarify work activity instructions with supervisor 1.2 Identify any work health and safety hazards and tell supervisor 1.3 Select and use appropriate tools and equipment 1.4 Select and use suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) |
2. Maintain the nursery environment | 2.1 Service irrigation system components for basic operational use and repair or replace basic user serviceable parts 2.2 Check irrigation system for functionality 2.3 Monitor environmental controls to ensure specified levels are maintained 2.4 Follow hygiene practices to minimise risk of contamination |
3. Maintain nursery plants | 3.1 Apply fertiliser and other products as directed 3.2 Remove weeds from pots as directed 3.3 Apply water in the quantity and method specified 3.4 Block and space plants as required 3.5 Prune plants as directed 3.6 Stake and tie plants as directed 3.7 Provide feedback to supervisor on work completed |
4. Complete nursery plant maintenance operation | 4.1 Record workplace information in the appropriate format 4.2 Collect waste and dispose of or recycle 4.3 Clean and store tools and equipment |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
select and use appropriate tools and equipment
maintain nursery hygiene
Service, repair or replace basic operational irrigation system components and user serviceable parts
maintain nursery plants as instructed
check irrigation system performance
monitor environmental controls
recognise common problems in nursery plants
repair or replace user serviceable irrigation components
record workplace information
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
the principles and practices of nursery plant care
botany and plant physiology as applies to maintaining nursery plants
common problems that may occur with containerised plants in a controlled environment and their treatment
daily water requirements of nursery plants
hygiene and quality control when tending nursery plants
principles and operations of irrigation systems used in nurseries, in basic terms
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Nursery (NSY)