Section Grower in Zeeland, Michigan at Walters Gardens Inc

Walters Gardens, located in Zeeland, MI, has been a leading grower of perennial plants since 1946. We take great pride in the superior quality of our young plants and field grown products, diverse product selection, customer-focused staff, our extensive hybridizing program, and the ability to offer the best new introductions from around the world. In 2021 we planted over 40 million plants to be produced for sale in 2022 to garden centers throughout the USA and Canada.

We highly value our employees and are proud to offer competitive pay, great benefits, and a culture that promotes the family values which have kept us growing for 76 years. We are currently seeking a Section Grower to assist in day-to-day operations of the growing department.

Key Responsibilities:

Growing

• Daily assistance in monitoring crops, checking moisture levels and mist programs.
• Conduct and review fertility test results with supervisor and adjust to meet crop needs.
• Application of rooting hormones, Beneficial Nematodes, and various chemicals.
• Plant Growth Regulator and Hosta inactivity scouting and applications when needed.
• Assist IPM (Integrated Pest Management) department by identifying insects, crown gall, diseases, or pathogens.

Environment Management

• Working with the Damatex environmental control system to program irrigation booms, wobblers, and monitor environmental controls.
• Understand how to manage different growing areas, environments, and irrigation booms.
• Respond to irrigation boom alerts on an on-call basis.
• Creating move lists and working with growing team on space available.

Plant Quality and Space Management

• Understanding propagation quality and specifications.
• Assist with developing and keeping records of yields.
• Planning of space and set down locations for new plant material.
• Monitor and record quality issues.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in grower meetings and educational events when directed by supervisor
• Assist in training and managing a crew of 2-6 seasonal workers
• Work with staff on setting up and recording various in-house trials.
• Some weekend and holiday watering on a rotational basis.
• When time allows, help other employees/departments complete daily task.

Knowledge/Skills Required:

• Greenhouse/Nursery growing experience or associate’s/bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences (Horticulture, Agriculture Science, Biology, Chemistry, Natural Resources, etc.) preferred
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred
• Computer skills in Microsoft Office
• Strong organizational skills
• Pesticide Applicator License beneficial