A day in the packing house, start to finish

Most people who join us have never packed a plant before, and that’s absolutely fine. It doesn’t take long to learn the ropes, and by the end of the first week, many people are surprised by just how quickly they’ve found their rhythm.

So, what does a day in the packing house actually look like?

8am: The Morning Brief

The day starts with a quick briefing. You’ll find out what’s happening that day, what needs to be achieved and where you’ll be working.

Then it’s time to get set up.

The first trolleys of plants begin arriving, packing materials are ready to go and customer orders are waiting to make their way through the packing house.

During our busiest seasons, things can get moving pretty quickly!

Mid-Morning: Into the Rhythm

By mid-morning, the packing house is in full swing.

Plants are being checked, wrapped, boxed and labelled before being prepared for the next stage of their journey.

There’s a steady rhythm to the work once you find your feet. You’ll learn how different plants need to be handled, what to look for when checking quality and how to pack them carefully while keeping things moving.

You’ll be working alongside others, so there’s usually someone nearby if you’re unsure or need a hand.

And don’t worry if you don’t know your petunias from your pelargoniums on say one- most people don’t!

Lunchtime: Time to Recharge

After a busy morning, it’s time to take a break, grab something to eat and recharge before the afternoon.

By this point, you’ll already be able to see how much the team has achieved- packed orders are building up and another stream of plants will be ready to begin the process.

Afternoon: Keeping Things Moving

The afternoon brings more picking, packing, checking and preparing orders.

Depending on demand, you might stay on the same task or find yourself helping with something different. One of the things people enjoy about plant production is that there’s often plenty of variety.

During our busiest periods, the pace can be fast. There are lots of customer orders to prepare, so everyone has an important part to play in keeping things moving.

It can be active and physical work- you’ll spend plenty of time on your feet- but there’s also something satisfying about seeing the finished orders stacking up and knowing you’ve played an important role in getting them ready to go to their homes!

Towards the End of the Day: The Final Push

As the shift starts drawing to a close, the focus is on getting the day’s remaining work completed and making sure everything is ready for what’s coming next.

Work areas are kept tidy, materials are organised and the final orders make their way through the packing house.

Then it’s time to head home and do it all again another day.

What Does It Really Feel Like?

Active. Busy. Practical. And surprisingly satisfying.

Packing plants isn’t complicated, but doing it well takes care, attention and willingness to learn.

You’ll be on your feet, working with your hands and part of a wider team. At peak times, you’ll need to be comfortable working at pace while making sure every plant is packed with care and quality in mind.

You don’t need previous packing experience or expert plant knowledge to get started. You’ll have the opportunity to learn what you need to know and will become more confident as you gain experience.

For many people, that’s one of the best parts- starting with something completely new and quickly realising just how much you can do.

Think You’d Enjoy It?

If you like staying active, enjoy practical work and a fast-paced environment, packing could be a great place to start.