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Nurseries and Garden Supply Stores

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Nurseries and Garden Supply Stores

July 19, 2023

After a very wet winter, many people will want to spruce up their gardens. This article compares two garden-related classifications that are sometimes assigned together.

Classification 0005, Nurseries – propagation and cultivation of nursery stock, applies to the propagation and cultivation of nursery stock. Classification 8004, Stores – garden supplies – wholesale or retail, applies to stores that sell nursery stock, and often also sell related garden merchandise. The WCIRB has received questions about distinguishing these operations and classifications.

Nursery stock consists of young plants that will be used for outdoor planting or decorative purposes. Classification 0005 directs that the cultivation of flowers, potted flower plants, ferns and similar potted plants that are sold for indoor decorative purposes shall be classified as 0035, Florists.

Classification 0005 applies to the propagation and cultivation of nursery stock, meaning growing plants from seed, cuttings, seedlings or small plants into larger plants. While stores assigned to Classification 8004 may transplant nursery stock that grows while it is held in inventory, these stores receive plants that are ready to sell; they water and maintain the plants, including transplanting if necessary, pending sale.

Some cultivating nurseries assigned to Classification 0005 also operate garden supply stores. In these cases, both classifications may apply provided the employer maintains complete and accurate payroll records supported by original time cards based on the provisions of the California Workers’ Compensation Uniform Statistical Reporting Plan—1995 (USRP), Section V, Rule 3, Division of Single Employee’s Payroll.

The USRP descriptions for Classifications 0005 and 8004 are shown below:

NURSERIES – propagation and cultivation of nursery stock

This classification applies to the propagation and cultivation of nursery stock, bedding plants, vegetable plants, bulbs or trees that are sold for outdoor planting or decorative purposes. This classification also applies to the cultivation and harvesting of grass sod for sale to separate concerns.

This classification includes the growing of seedlings, clones or starter plants for sale to separate concerns, including but not limited to farms.

This classification also applies to the raising of bees for sale, honey production or rental to other concerns for pollinating crops. The processing of honey shall be separately classified as 6504, Food Products Mfg. or Processing.

The cultivation of flowers, potted flower plants, ferns or similar potted plants that are sold for indoor decorative purposes, as well as herbs, edible flowers, microgreens or cannabis shall be classified as 0035, Florists.

The operation of a garden supply store shall be separately classified as 8004, Stores — garden supplies.

0005

 

STORES – garden supplies – wholesale or retail – N.O.C.

This classification applies to stores engaged in the sale of nursery stock, including but not limited to sod, bedding plants, vegetable plants, ornamental trees and ground cover. In addition, garden supply stores typically engage in the sale of other items, including but not limited to fertilizers, insecticides, lawn mowers and garden tools, barbecue supplies, statuary, fountains and patio furniture.

Stores engaged in the sale of fresh cut flowers, floral arrangements, indoor plants or terrariums, including the sale of incidental floral supplies or giftware, shall be classified as 8001, Stores — florists.

The cultivation of nursery stock shall be separately classified as 0005, Nurseries.

The cultivation of flowers, potted flower plants, ferns or similar potted plants that are sold for indoor decorative purposes, as well as herbs, edible flowers or marijuana shall be classified as 0035, Florists.

Lumberyards, building material dealers or retail hardware stores shall be separately classified.

8004

Related Resources

Classification Search
Classification Code Listings
Online Guide to Workers’ Compensation: The Standard Classification System

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