TDCJ Horticulture
HALT-1401. Principles of Horticulture. (4 Credits)
This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. An overview of the horticulture industry, plant science, terminology, classification, propagation, environmental responses, and careers and opportunities in the field of horticulture.
HALT-1422. Landscape Design. (4 Credits)
This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. A study of the principles and elements of landscape design. Topics include client interview, site analysis, plan view, scale, plant selection, basic drawing and drafting skills, and plan preparation.
HALT-2402. Greenhouse Crop Production. (4 Credits)
This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Production of crops within the greenhouse environment. Topics include growing techniques, environmental control, crop rotation, scheduling, preparation for sale, and marketing.
HALT-2404. Garden Center Management. (4 Credits)
This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Principles and practices used in the management and operation of a garden center. Topics include procedures used in the garden center industry. Emphasis on managerial and communication skills.
HALT-2414. Plant Propagation. (4 Credits)
This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. A study of the sexual and asexual propagation of plants used in horticulture. Topics include propagation by seeds, cuttings, grafting, budding, layering, division, separation, and tissue culture; and environmental factors of propagation.
HALT-2423. Horticultural Pest Control. (4 Credits)
This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Examination of federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the control of horticultural pests. Topics include procedures, methods, safety requirements, integrated pest management (IPM), and chemical, natural, and biological controls.
What Grounds Maintenance Workers Do
Ground maintenance workers ensure that the grounds of houses, businesses, and parks are attractive, orderly, and healthy.
SUMMARY
- 2021 Median Pay: $35,460 per year, $17.05 per hour
- Typical Entry-Level Education: May require a certificate
- Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
- On-the-job Training: Short-term on-the-job training
- Number of Jobs, 2021: 1,299,000
- Job Outlook, 2021-31: 5% (As fast as average)
- Employment Change, 2021-31: 61,300
Work Environment
Some grounds maintenance jobs are seasonal, available mainly in the spring, summer, and fall. Most of the work is done outdoors in all weather conditions. The work can be repetitive and physically demanding, requiring frequent bending, kneeling, lifting, and shoveling.
How to Become a Grounds Maintenance Worker
Most ground maintenance workers need no formal education and are trained on the job. Most states require licensing for workers who apply pesticides or fertilizers.
Pay
The median hourly wage for grounds maintenance workers was $17.05 in May 2021.
Job Outlook
The employment of grounds maintenance workers is projected to grow 5% from 2021 to 2031, as fast as the average for all occupations. More workers will be needed to keep up with the increasing demand for lawn care and landscaping services from large institutions and individual homeowners. Job prospects should be excellent.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for grounds maintenance workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of grounds maintenance workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about grounds maintenance workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source of workers and occupations key characteristics
SUGGESTED CITATION:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Grounds Maintenance Workers,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/building-and-grounds-cleaning/grounds-maintenance-workers.htm (visited May 31, 2023).
Some careers in this field will require a bachelor's degree.
- TVCC's AA degrees are fully transferable to public universities in Texas. See an academic advisor for more information on this transfer opportunity.
- Many of TVCC's AAS degrees lead to an online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree with participating universities. See an academic advisor for more information on this transfer opportunity.