The horticulture industry is a lucrative business that involves the work of producers, retailers, landscapers, land managers, suppliers and other horticulturalists. There are a variety of career opportunities working in the horticultural field. One part of the horticulture field is the nursery business. Nurseries are plant producers that generally grow trees, shrubs, ornamental plants, fruit plants, and floriculture crops to be sold to the public. The nurseries grow the plants for sale and they employ knowledgeable individuals to satisfy the wants of the public. Nurseries either sell plants directly to the public, or the plants are sold to plant retail businesses for public access. Plant retailers can be local or commercial operations and their goal is to meet the horticultural desires of the public. Retailers also hire knowledgeable employees that are able to provide trustable information to the customer. Retailers have adapted to making their plant products desirable through advertising, specialty plant lines, and other methods. Landscapers utilize their knowledge and expertise of trees, shrubs, grass, and design to create enjoyable outdoor spaces for their customers. Some landscaping work does not involve plants, but instead the landscapers complete work on outdoor kitchens, water features, lighting, irrigation, patios, and stormwater management.

Land managers analyze areas and plants within them in order to preserve natural resources, remove invasive plant species, and preserve native plants. Land managers in Delaware have worked to help the environment by planting native species in highway medians to prevent highway hypnosis and improve the environmental condition of those spaces. Suppliers provide the necessary equipment, fertilizer, nutrients, and materials in order to aid in the success of horticultural businesses and the public. All of the horticultural businesses and careers depend upon each other for success and serving the public for their horticultural needs. Thank you to Tracy Wootten and Valann Budischak for talking to AGRI 130 students about the horticulture industry.