At Arbutus Garden Management, we take pride in creating a sanctuary for our clients. We manage all of the garden's needs, from the soil to the trees, while clients get to enjoy the view. Our knowledgeable staff cares for the garden with a horticultural approach to detailed gardening. We look at the garden as a whole system and use holistic inspired gardening techniques.

Location:  Poulsbo, WA

Schedule:  Approximately 3 days per week (24–30 hours), with potential for expanded hours and year-round employment based on performance and company needs

Compensation:  $30/hour DOE

Arbutus Garden Management is a boutique estate gardening company serving private properties throughout the Kitsap Peninsula and greater Seattle area. Our work is horticulture-driven — detailed, seasonal, and grounded in strong plant knowledge. We care for established gardens, high-end landscapes, and thoughtfully managed plant collections, including curated ornamental specimens, roses, and specialty container plantings.

We’re looking for an experienced, plant-literate person to take ownership of our nursery care and plant preparation systems. This is not an entry-level assistant role. The right candidate will be comfortable working independently, recognizing what needs attention before being asked, and managing nursery responsibilities with a high level of follow-through and professional judgment.

This position is a strong fit for someone with practical greenhouse, nursery, or production growing experience who can keep plant material healthy, well-organized, properly labeled, and ready for use across estate garden projects.

What You’ll Do

• Manage day-to-day nursery care: watering, fertilizing, pest monitoring, plant health checks, and general crop maintenance.
• Monitor plant material for signs of stress, disease, nutrient issues, pest pressure, or irrigation concerns — and communicate recommended next steps clearly.
• Maintain accurate plant labeling, staging, inventory, and organization systems.
• Receive, tag, and care for incoming plant material from wholesale orders.
• Prepare plants and materials for upcoming garden installations and maintenance projects, ensuring material is staged, grouped, and field-ready.
• Keep the nursery work area clean, efficient, and safe.
• Track priorities, issues, and emerging needs so nursery operations stay organized without requiring constant oversight.
• Support the garden team as needed with plant-related tasks, seasonal projects, and occasional field support.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong working knowledge of ornamental plants — perennials, shrubs, trees, annuals, and Pacific Northwest garden plants.
• Greenhouse, nursery, garden center, production growing, estate gardening, or restoration nursery experience.
• Confidence identifying plant health issues: watering stress, pest pressure, disease, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions without constant direction.
• Strong organizational skills and reliable follow-through.
• Comfort working outdoors in variable weather and ability to lift plants, soil, and materials up to 50 lbs.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Preferred Experience

Candidates with experience in any of the following will stand out:

• Integrated pest management (including beneficial insect programs)
• Fertilizer or plant nutrition programs
• Greenhouse or nursery irrigation systems
• Propagation or plant production
• Plant inventory and recordkeeping
• Native, rare, or specialty ornamental plant collections
• Working independently in a high-standard horticultural setting
• WA Private Applicator Pesticide License (or willingness to obtain within 6 months of hire)

Why This Role

• $30/hour for an experienced, self-directed candidate.
• Work with high-quality and interesting plant material across estate gardens — not a production line.
• Join a company that values horticultural knowledge, plant health, and thoughtful care over speed and volume.
• Flexible, collaborative schedule within a small, experienced team.
• Opportunity to shape and improve our nursery systems as the role develops.
• Potential for expanded hours and year-round employment.
• PTO eligibility after 3 months if the role becomes permanent.

To Apply

Apply through our posting to submit your resume and answer a few brief questions about your experience. We’re especially interested in candidates who are comfortable working independently and taking clear ownership of plant health, organization, and readiness.