Assistant Grower

Headquartered in Zeeland, MI with over 70 years of industry leadership, Walters Gardens Inc. (WGI) is North America’s leading grower of perennials.  We view our greenhouse operations as an essential building block for our ability to offer our customers a broad range of greenhouse liners and bare root perennials.  It is our extensive knowledge and expertise in both greenhouse growing, field growing, and hybridizing that sets us apart.

 With efficiency, quality, and integrity, WGI uses tissue culture (TC), unrooted cuttings (URC) and seed facilities around the world to produce and develop innovative perennials for the growing marketplace.  A powerhouse partnership between WGI and the #1 plant brand in the world, Proven Winners (PW), has created the top destination for growers looking for outstanding genetics in top performing perennials.

 About the Opportunity:

 Reporting directly to the Lead Grower, the Assistant Grower’s responsibilities would include:

 Daily assistance in monitoring crops to determine if it is necessary to irrigate plants based on WG moisture levels.

• Understand how to manage growing areas to help manage irrigation booms and growing environments.

• Review fertility test results with supervisor and make adjustments to meet crop needs.

• Assist IPM department by identifying insects, crown gall, diseases, or pathogens.

• Help plant health department with spray applications. 

• Help develop plant growth regulator program in stock product to improve quality of cutting material.

• Assist with developing and keeping records of stock yields.

• Offer support for the planning of space, duration and renewal of items.

• Help manage processes to keep plants free of virus and plants true to name.

• Assist in researching and developing protocols relating to lighting intensity, LED and photoperiod to improve yields and quality.

• Develop with staff cutting specifications to balance stock yield with liner yields and customer performance.

• Participate in grower meetings and educational events when directed by supervisor.

• Assist with weekend and holiday watering schedules.

• When time allows, help other employees/departments complete daily tasks.

  Knowledge/Skills Required:  

• 2+ years of Greenhouse/Nursery growing experience and

• Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture preferred

• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred

• Strong organizational skills

• Computer skills in Microsoft Office

• Pesticide Applicator License beneficial

   To apply, send cover letter and resume to blo@waltersgardens.com