Garden Center Care Associate

We’re hiring (just one day a week… for now).

As one of our beloved team members heads into a well-earned retirement from Second Nature, we’ve been lucky to add some wonderful people to our team, but we still have a few hours we’re hoping to fill with the right person.

We’re looking for someone who loves plants, people, and a good day’s work.
This is a Monday position with the opportunity to pick up extra hours as a fill-in.

Perfect for someone who:

• Knows their way around plants (or wants to learn)
• Is comfortable working independently
• Is strong, capable, and confident in hands-on work
• Doesn’t mind getting dirty (and maybe a little sweaty)
• Bonus if you can load mulch with a skidsteer or tackle small repairs

We love our college crew, but this role really needs availability from mid-April through November, which can be tough with school schedules.

A fun piece of our story…this nursery originally started with Royce Jones, who had a serious horticulture hobby that grew from a small passion into something much bigger. What began as a few hours spent doing something he loved became the foundation for what many hands have built today. A few hours in something you enjoy just might turn into something pretty cool.

It’s a little bit of everything like plant care, helping customers, keeping the nursery looking beautiful, and being part of a great team.

If you’ve been looking for something meaningful and outdoors… this might be it.

Nursery Care Associate

Part-time 1 day/week

Looking for work where you can build something real, feel proud of it, and still have a life outside of work?

At Second Nature at Reads Creek, we value the work ethic and expertise it takes to create beautiful and functional outdoor spaces. We also believe that time off matters. That’s why we offer 4-day work weeks, minimal weekend work, and winters off.

In just a few short years, Second Nature at Reads Creek has become a destination nursery and landscape design company in the Driftless Area. Guests travel from far away to experience our thoughtfully curated plants, exceptional customer care, inspired landscape installations, and welcoming garden spaces. We’ve become a destination for people who value thoughtful design and high-quality installations for outdoor living. It’s a place you’ll want to call home, where your work is seen, your effort matters, and your contribution to the team is truly valued.

About the Role

As a Nursery Care Associate, you’ll work closely with a small, dedicated team to support daily nursery and greenhouse operations. Customer service and plant care are at the heart of this role. Your work helps create a welcoming, memorable experience for every guest while keeping our plants healthy, organized, and thriving.

No two days are exactly the same, but they’re always grounded in hands-on work, learning, and connection with people and plants.

A Snapshot of the Work

• Provide friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic customer service
• Assist customers with plant selection, landscape plant recommendations, and care questions
• Water, weed, prune, deadhead, and maintain potted and in-ground plants
• Organize plant displays and sales areas for health, beauty, and accessibility
• Scout for plant pests and diseases and report concerns
• Pull and organize plant orders
• Maintain cleanliness and order throughout the garden center

Additional Responsibilities

• Operate a cash register and POS system; handle money accurately
• Answer phones and communicate with customers via email
• Load and unload plants, materials, and supplies
• Perform physical outdoor work: raking, sweeping, digging, shoveling, mulching
• Use hand tools such as shovels, rakes, pruners, wheelbarrows, and carts
• Assist with occasional classes, events, or external projects
• Work independently or as part of a team, as needed
• Maintain a professional, respectful attitude with coworkers, supervisors, and customers

Qualifications

• Friendly, engaging “people skills” and a desire to help others
• Exceptional work ethic and pride in quality work
• Reliability, organization, and a positive, happy attitude
• Ability to prioritize tasks and contribute to efficient job flow
• Interest in gardening and willingness to learn plant knowledge
• Comfortable with physically demanding work: lifting, bending, kneeling, walking
• Familiarity with hand tools and garden equipment
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs and perform physical tasks throughout the day
• Ability to work in all outdoor conditions (heat, cold, rain, mud, dust)
• Comfort using a computer or POS system
• Valid driver’s license or reliable transportation

A Serious Plus (Not Required)

• Background in horticulture
• Experience in landscaping, construction, farming, or related trades
• Experience with plant identification
• Skills in repair, plumbing, electrical, construction, irrigation, or pond maintenance

Work Environment & Compensation

• Work schedule includes 2 weekends per month
• Competitive wage with opportunity for advancement
• Active, outdoor work—your office is nature (no cubicles here!)
• Paid lunch and breaks
• Employee discount
• Supportive, family-owned business where your effort is valued
• Safe, efficient tools and equipment
• Opportunities to learn and grow in the green industry

Why People Like Working Here

• Lifestyle: A consistent daytime work week that fits real life
• Culture: A small, collaborative, encouraging team that enjoys working together
• Pride: Satisfaction in helping maintain a beautiful, high-quality destination
• Health: Stay active in an outdoor environment surrounded by plants and fresh air

Learning Opportunities

You can expect hands-on learning including:

• Proper watering and plant health practices
• Planting, dividing, and maintenance techniques
• Expanded plant identification knowledge
• Customer service and garden center operations

Employees are reviewed after a one-week trial period, at 30 days, and at 90 days to ensure a great fit for both employee and employer.

How to Apply

The green industry attracts people from many backgrounds and career experiences. We value work ethic and a passion to learn over an advanced degree.

• Download an application at SecondNatureAtReadsCreek.com/careers
• Apply via Indeed or email a resume

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $16.00 - $20.00 per hour

Work Location: In person