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Plant and establish crops or plants

URN: LANH9
Business Sectors (Suites): Crofting and Smallholding,Horticulture,Apply waterproof membranes
Developed by: Lantra
Approved on: 31 Jan 2022

Overview

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This standard is for those who plant and establish crops or plants in protected conditions or outdoors in the open. Planting methods will depend on the type of crops or plants being grown and the conditions they require for growth. Planting may be into a wide variety of growing media, which could include soil, hydroponics, matting, compost or other growing media, as appropriate. The standard includes planting and establishing crops or plants in any setting.

You will be able to check that the growing media has been prepared ready for planting and that the correct quality and quantity of planting material is available. The identification of planting material to meet specifications will include the need to identify plants by the common and botanical names. 

If you are required to use chemicals (e.g. herbicides, fungicides or insecticides), these are subject to the relevant legislative requirements, and you will need to be trained. and hold the current certification where required.

When carrying out your work you must consider the impact it will have on the environment, and work towards preserving and improving habitats and biodiversity and responding to and mitigating the effects of climate change.

This standard is suitable for those with responsibility for planting and establishing crops or plants.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

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  1. assess the risks associated with the site and the planting and establishment of crops or plants
  2. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  3. select, prepare, use and maintain the required equipment safely and correctly 
  4. check that the growing media has been prepared and is in a suitable condition for planting the crop or plants, and take relevant action if it is not
  5. select planting material in accordance with instructions and specifications
  6. check the health of planting material before planting and reject unacceptable specimens
  7. position planting material in the growing media, in accordance with instructions and specifications
  8. maximise the health, vigour and physical condition of crop or plant material through correct handling and planting methods
  9. maintain hygiene and bio-security, in accordance with organisational practices
  10. provide appropriate plant protection to establish the crops or plants, as required
  11. provide crops or plants with appropriate aftercare, as required
  12. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in, or affected by, your work
  13. follow industry and organisation guidance to minimise environmental damage
  14. tidy the site when your work is finished, and recycle or dispose of waste and excess materials correctly, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and organisational practices
  15. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and or-ganisational policies
  16. complete records as required by the relevant legislation and the organisation

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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  1. how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with planting and establishing crops or plants
  2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
  3. the types of equipment required for planting crops and plants and how to prepare, use and maintain these safely and correctly

  4. how to interpret instructions and specifications for the planting and establish-ment of crops or plants

  5. the types of growing media and their relationship to the planting and establish-ment of crops or plants

  6. how to check that the growing media has been prepared and is in a suitable condition for planting crops or plants
  7. the principles of marking and setting out the site in order to establish crops or plants
  8. how to identify and name planting material and the common and botanical names of crops or plants
  9. basic plant biology 
  10. methods of assessing the health and condition of planting material and recognising any indications that it is unsuitable for planting
  11. the principles of selecting and combining plant types for different applications
  12. the methods used to prepare planting material
  13. current national legislation controlling the use of fertilisers and treatments when planting crops
  14. the importance of timing when planting and establishing crops or plants, and the factors that affect the timing and the method of planting 
  15. the correct spacing or density, depth, orientation and firmness of the planting material required when planting crops or plants  
  16. the importance of correct handling of planting material
  17. the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security when planting and es-tablishing crops and plants, and the methods for achieving this
  18. the causes of damage to crops or plants and how to provide plant protection 
  19. the methods of aftercare required for crops or plants and how to apply them
  20. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
  21. the importance of following the relevant environmental and ecological best prac-tice to help minimise the impact of your work on the environment
  22. the actions that can be taken to preserve and improve habitats and biodiversity, and respond to and mitigate the effects of climate change
  23. how to handle, transport, store and recycle or dispose of waste and excess ma-terials, in accordance with legal requirements and organisation practices
  24. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and organisational policies
  25. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them

Scope/range

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A. Position planting material according to the correct:

1. spacing/density
2. depth
3. orientation
4. firmness

B. Assess the need to apply plant protection to the crops/plants from the following:

1. pests
2. diseases
3. weeds
4. environmental conditions

C. Provide the following types of aftercare to crops/plants: 

1. water 
2. nutrients
3. protection 
4. support
5. controlled environmental conditions

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

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Crops or plants may include: 

• cereals/grains
• root crops
• pulses
• oilseed rape
• vines
• hops
• vegetables
• herbs
• flowers
• shrubs
• trees
• fruit
• grass

Instructions and specifications: 

• drawings/plans
• schedules
• method statements
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• manufacturer’s/supplier’s guidelines
• customer requirements
• quality assurance requirements
• crop requirements
• verbal instructions

Planting material could include:

• seeds
• plants
• trees
• bulbs, tubers, corms, etc
• cuttings
• turf
• fertilisers
• treatments

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

31 Jan 2027

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Lantra

Original URN

LANH9

Relevant Occupations

Gardener, Greenkeeper, Groundsman, Landscaper, Nursery Worker, Plant Propagator, Roofers Fortifiers and Slaters, Crofter, Smallholder

SOC Code

5113

Keywords

seeds; bedding plants; grass; sedums; vegetables; fruit; green roofs; site; garden; nursery