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More than sunshine and rain
Climate, location, and career choice are among the many
variables that affect the working conditions of people in
the green industry. The milder weather and longer grow-
ing seasons in warmer States contribute to higher output
and, in turn, more opportunity for continuous employ-
ment in many green-industry occupations. But other
occupations are not as dependent on weather.
Climate and locale
The green industry is affected by the climate and the
length of the growing season. Both depend on geographic
location, which in turn affects the work environment. For
example, greenhouses in colder States need to be heated,
so they must be made of glass or plastic. But in warmer
States, such as Florida, many growers use temporary,
shade-type greenhouses, which are designed to protect
seedlings from the harsh sun. As a result, growers in these
States can plant their crops directly in the fields using
shade-type greenhouses, saving the time and expense of
transplanting from a traditional greenhouse into a field.
Although every State produces greenhouse and nurs-
ery crops, output from greenhouses is, not surprisingly,
much higher in the warm southern States. Southern States
have the highest production of foliage plants for indoor or
patio display and of bedding and gardening plants. West-
ern States lead the country in production of cut flowers
and potted flowering plants.
Work options
People working in green-industry jobs are often outdoors.
The opportunity to work with nature and in nature is, for
many, one of the main attractions of these jobs. But some
tasks can also be based primarily indoors–or be physically
demanding or even dangerous, such as when either
pesticides or planting equipment are used.
The growing season may also affect the availability
of work opportunities. Outdoor planting of trees and
shrubs, laying new sod, or pruning or removing trees,
for example, can usually be done only when the ground
is free of ice and snow–a major concern in cold north-
ern States, where the ground may be frozen for several
months. Landscape construction and installation workers
in States with harsh winters may try to log as many hours
as they can during warmer months. Many of these work-
ers take other, often unrelated, jobs during the winter.
Some people with green thumbs work almost entirely
indoors. They may tend greenhouses, garden centers,
or indoor gardens in malls, museums, and other build-
ings, for example. Many workers, even those who work
outdoors much of the time, may spend some of their
workdays in offices doing administrative tasks, such as
filling out schedules, reviewing invoices, or completing
other paperwork. And landscape designers, architects,
and contractors work indoors to create plans and to meet
with other professionals and clients.