Assistant Grower -Tree Production (Pot-In-Pot Systems)

Grower Assistant - Tree Production (Pot-In-Pot Systems)

Mason, Ohio

Full-Time | Year-Round

Grow Trees. Build a Career.

Natorp's Nursery is one of the Tri-State's premier wholesale tree growers, producing high-quality landscape trees for customers throughout the region. Our reputation has been built on exceptional plant quality, innovative production methods, and a team of dedicated horticultural professionals who take pride in growing outstanding plants.

We're looking for an Assistant Grower to join our Tree Production team.

This is a technical horticulture position, not a general labor or management role. The ideal candidate has experience working with trees, nursery crops, greenhouse production, or commercial horticulture and enjoys the challenge of producing healthy, market-ready plants.

Working alongside our Lead Grower, you'll help oversee the daily care, health, and development of thousands of trees grown in our advanced pot-in-pot production system.

If you love working with plants and want to continue building your horticultural career, we'd like to meet you.

What You'll Do

Every day is different, but responsibilities include:

Tree Production

• Plant, space, and organize container-grown trees
• Maintain proper spacing and block layouts to promote healthy growth
• Assist with seasonal production planning and crop movement

Irrigation Management

• Monitor and maintain drip and micro-irrigation systems
• Troubleshoot irrigation issues and perform basic repairs
• Ensure crops receive proper water throughout the growing season

Plant Nutrition & Crop Health

• Apply fertilizers according to production schedules
• Monitor tree health and identify nutrient deficiencies
• Scout for insects, diseases, and environmental stress
• Assist with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices

Tree Training & Pruning

• Prune trees for structural integrity and market quality
• Stake and train young trees
• Help produce uniform, high-quality nursery stock

Inventory & Production Support

• Tag and inventory trees
• Maintain accurate production records
• Prepare crops for customer orders and shipping

Nursery Operations

• Maintain clean, organized production areas
• Operate equipment safely
• Support seasonal projects throughout the nursery

Who We're Looking For

This role is best suited for someone who enjoys working outdoors, solving plant health challenges, and producing exceptional nursery crops.

Ideal backgrounds include:

• Commercial nursery production
• Tree nursery operations
• Greenhouse growing
• Arboriculture
• Landscape nursery production
• Horticulture
• Agriculture or crop production
• Irrigation systems
• Plant health or Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Required Qualifications

We're looking for someone who has:

• At least 2 years of hands-on experience in commercial nursery production, greenhouse production, arboriculture, agriculture, or horticulture
• Experience working directly with trees, shrubs, or ornamental plants
• Working knowledge of irrigation systems and plant watering practices
• Basic understanding of plant nutrition and crop health
• Ability to recognize plant stress, pests, or disease concerns
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to work outdoors year-round in changing weather conditions
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and perform physically demanding work
• Reliable attendance and a positive, team-oriented attitude

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with any of the following is a plus:

• Pot-in-pot production systems
• Container nursery production
• Tree pruning and structural training
• Fertilizer application
• Irrigation troubleshooting
• Pesticide application (or willingness to obtain licensing)
• Equipment operation (tractors, skid steers, forklifts)

What Success Looks Like

Successful Grower Assistants:

• Produce healthy, uniform, market-ready trees
• Identify crop issues before they become problems
• Maintain accurate irrigation and fertility practices
• Work efficiently with minimal supervision
• Take ownership of crop quality
• Continuously expand their horticultural knowledge

Why Join Natorp's Nursery?

We believe growing exceptional plants starts with investing in exceptional people.

We offer:

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401(k) eligibility after one year
• Ongoing horticultural training and mentorship
• Opportunities for advancement into Grower and production leadership roles
• Stable, year-round employment with one of the region's most respected nursery operations

Pay: $21.00-$30.00 per hour (based on experience)

Please Read Before Applying

This position is intended for applicants with direct experience in horticulture, nursery production, greenhouse operations, arboriculture, agriculture, or commercial plant production.

While leadership experience is valuable, applicants whose background consists primarily of retail management, restaurant management, warehouse supervision, or other non-horticultural management roles may not have the technical plant knowledge required for this position.

Apply Today

If you enjoy working outdoors, take pride in growing healthy plants, and want to build a long-term career in professional horticulture, we encourage you to apply.

At Natorp's Nursery, you're not just maintaining plants-you'll play an active role in producing premium-quality trees that become part of landscapes throughout our region. Join a team that values craftsmanship, continuous learning, and a passion for growing.

Natorp's Nursery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Drug-Free Workplace: Pre-employment, post-accident (when applicable), and reasonable suspicion testing apply.