garden center manager

cashier

delivery driver

visual merchandiser

garden associate

Pike Nurseries

Started this job to get some extra cash as a seasonal loader helping out with christmas & etc. but ended up staying (even though I only got a shift or two a week). They decided to keep me  full time after the slow season and promoted me several times, but I quickly realized that it was almost for nothing because our location became a revolving door for management. Constant disorganization on a daily basis trying to interpret vague and often uninformed instructions from higher-up creates an environment that is more focused on putting out fires than training or developing staff (they do have horticulture training it just take a lot of time and ball-fondling to get in). One of the few positives of working here are the people you work with. For seemingly no reason at all, pike attracts and often keeps a collection of good-spirited individuals around that make work bearable through all of it. Also worth mentioning that this company went bankrupt in 2008 and sold itself to a company based in california for a hat full of nickels that basically treats pike as a play-thing. If you're willing to put up with the woes of a small company with a shoestring budget trying to adopt the policies and strategy of a big company, and want to get a foot in the door to the nursery world, you may be in the right place. Just don't get too comfortable with your schedule because they will flip it completely upside down for seemingly no reason lol.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working outside and being around plants. If you've never worked outdoors before, this may not be the job for you.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Trying to get everything done timely is the most stressful, which is always impossible during busy season in this industry but you just do the best you can! 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Work environment is not everyone's cup of tea. In the greenhouses, you're by yourself a lot which lends itself nicely to listening to music or audiobooks. There's a lot of flexibility with scheduling which is super nice if you have kids. The day to day on the production side is very casual, I wouldn't say "unprofessional" as everyone does work but it "isn't professional" if that makes sense. There's hip hop music playing and no dress code other than closed toed shoes and you can listen to air pods if you want. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Starting out in growing, you're trained in watering and how the irrigation and fertilizer systems work. From there you will likely be watering most days as it's top priority, followed by moving plants around or helping the other growers or shipping departments.

Pike Nurseries is always hiring for different busy seasons, and what I learned is that they hire more people than they need, because they know that so many leave after a short time. I had a walk-in interview right after filling out an application, and agreed to full time. About 3 weeks go by before I finally hear that I need to attend an orientation in the evening at one of their main stores, where you learn about culture and what it's like.
Like so many places seem to do, they overpromise with how many opportunities you'll have.
I didn't know my schedule, I just came in three days in a row to learn the layout of the store, but that's when I experienced so much micromanagement from different coworkers I grew tired of the environment quickly. When the schedules were finally released I learned I had barely twenty hours each week, primarily on weekends. Most of the people did seem to enjoy working here and were decent, but the micromanagement was too much for me.
If you really need a job, this could work, but a lot of places are hiring now so there are better options.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The ability to grow and gain knowledge in the horticulture industry. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
I knew many plants from self knowledge, but moving to NE Georgia from south Florida was so different in types of plants to growing times were different.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Friendly; made many friends while working there. It is hard, dirty, sweaty work getting flats of plants off racks and putting them on tables for display. Also, very rewarding helping customers become confident in their gardens and fonding success too. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Clock in and hit the ground running with watering, restocking tables with plants, condensing tables, and deadheading flowering plants. All this is done in between helping customers your #1 priority. The day ends with restocking tables, and watering to get everything ready for tomorrow's shift.

The people there are so nice to be around, and they are VERY knolageable on every question you could have about botany,  they truely love plants and what they do and if you love plants too its a perfect job, im a seasonal that is hopeing to stay or come in next year.
I actually applyed to be a loader but ended up being more of a cashire beacuse my body couldn't keep up lol, but still, im very happy to be there!!

If you are looking for a permanent job or a real career. Stay Away!!   The managers are a classic example of scheduling themselves with maximum overtime during the holidays and giving new hires bad schedules.  I literally had 5 hours, yet they claimed to be short staffed.  Management is horrible. All they care about is their own paychecks.  I had to endure listening to stories about meth addicted family members of the managers.  They hire and lie saying that they need the help and that there is a chance to go into the management trainee program.  While working, I was even told to "go inside" and let the men move the trees, by a female manager but if I was inside then I wouldn't get my share of tips. Sexist foolishness. Then they give 10 hours and the worst schedule, and layoff everyone right after the Christmas rush. Stay away if you're wise!  There is a reason that they are constantly hiring!!! Because they lay off and only keep the managers (who of course write their own schedules).

I am a seasonal employee whom sells Christmas trees; and then brings the sold trees to an area where other associates then place these sold trees either on top of a vehicle, or inside a truck bed.

I also work seasonally in the spring time.

Management is very helpful and instructive, and extremely caring and fair.  And management does not micro-manage you.  Employees generally have a real sense of responsibility, accountability and ownership (Employees actually do own shares of stock, or other type of actual ownership, in the company.).  Communication on the floor, and communication to other areas of the store, are greatly encouraged.

One negative - The employees break room, microwave area, lockers and refrigerator are especially too small when seasonal employees are brought into the store’s workforce.

I worked as a full time department head for under a year and it was a wonderful experience. The location I worked at had such knowledgeable staff. The relationships between coworkers was uplifting and friendly. The “micromanagement” mentioned in other reviews was never an issue at my store. I learned something new everyday at Pike. Wonderful customers and management. I struggle to think of a negative experience I had while working there. They have a “customer is always right” approach but also do not tolerate mistreatment of staff. Great benefits, fair pay, inclusive environment, wonderful job! All sales employees take horticulture classes contributing to the incredibly knowledgeable staff. I only left this job for personal reasons. I never would of quit if I had the choice. 

A typical day here at work is pretty crazy.  The people you work with are really nice typically but everybody is usually running around trying to do a lot because there usually isn't enough labor force to get everything done.  It's a true visual of retail.  Not a lot of care is given to anything but the bottom line.  Everything is GO, GO, GO(Especially in the spring!).   As a manager, you will work almost 60-70 hrs/week on a salary that really isn't worth it when you break it down.  You make more as a trainee(hourly) than you do when you get a promotion.  The hardest part of the job is really the multi-tasking...there is always so much to do but rarely enough time to do it.  The hours normally suck also...you might as well throw your social and family life away.  Get used to your friends and family not seeing you much if you work for Pike Nurseries.

Typical day at work: clock in, water plants, greet and assist customers in needs, rearrange product on tables and restock from backstock, prune and trim plants that are in need, do other misc. tasks
I've learned a lot about plants. Management is so kind and dedicated. Workplace culture is awesome and inclusive. Hardest part of the job is physical labor and being subject to the outside temperature when working in greenhouse. The rest of the job is enjoyable. I especially like helping customers choose products for arrangements and working with plants all day.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Garden center manager 27 salaries reported	$24.35 per hour
Cashier 3 salaries reported	$13.50 per hour
Delivery driver 3 salaries reported	$16.50 per hour
Visual merchandiser 4 salaries reported	$16.38 per hour
Garden associate 3 salaries reported	$16.83 per hour

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