As New York State begins to reopen, the horticulture industry, which includes greenhouses, nurseries, sod farms, and arborists, has been deemed essential and these businesses are now permitted to resume business statewide, in all regions.

In addition, landscaping businesses can continue to operate statewide, and permissible activities have been expanded to include the care and planting of grasses, sod, plants, shrubs, and trees and the mulching, trimming, and removal of these items.

These businesses, which are considered low-risk, must create a plan to reopen safely using guidance from the Non-Food Related Agriculture Summary Guidelines to protect public health.

In addition, gardening is also allowed statewide. This includes the cultivation of flowers, vegetables, herbs, fruit, trees, shrubs, and more at home and in community settings and locations.

Equine operations

Equine operations are permitted to reopen as part of Phase 1 of the state’s NY Forward plan only in regions that have met the state’s criteria, which is now everywhere but New York City.

Equine operations include activities such as the breeding, boarding, exercise, and transport of horses, riding personal or for-hire horses at facilities, and the oversight or instruction of riders at the operation.