Ham Court is a private house & garden based in Bampton, Oxfordshire. We are looking for an experienced and knowledgeable Head Gardener to take responsibility for the care, development and ongoing maintenance of the garden and grounds.

The garden is wrapped around the house and yard and is colourful and productive, with a kitchen and cutting garden at its core. While this is a five day a week job, there will be some weekend jobs, especially during our Open Gardens & Events, which run between May-October.

You will be responsible for the whole garden, vegetables and flowers, lawns and hedges. We grow most of our plants so successional planting, propagation and growing in the greenhouse and poly tunnel is an important part of this job.

There is a small and friendly team that work on site between the house, garden and studio. This is a full time, live-in position, with accommodation and bills covered. You would be working alongside a part time gardener and the owner also works in the garden from time to time.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for the day to day management, maintenance and presentation of the garden and grounds.
• Maintain flower borders, kitchen garden, greenhouses, polytunnel and other garden areas.
• Oversee planting schemes, propagation, pruning and general horticultural work.
• Plan seasonal planting and harvesting to make use of the kitchen garden throughout the year. Maintaining and harvesting from cutting garden.
• Regular weeding, mulching, feeding and weeding. Pest & disease management.
• Maintain garden tools and machinery and keep the greenhouses, potting shed and polytunnel in good order.
• Ensure the gardens are always well presented for Open Gardens and Events.

Skills & Experience

• Practical plant knowledge and a strong understanding of garden maintenance, ability to plan and prioritise throughout the year.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to work independently and manage workloads effectively.
• A flexible and adaptable approach with willingness to respond to the changing demands of a small holding.

• RHS Level 2 Horticultural qualification is preferred but not essential, but previous experience in a professional gardening or horticultural role is required.

• Experience in managing and maintaining a productive kitchen garden, including growing fruit, vegetables and herbs.
• Knowledge of sustainable gardening practices and an interest in composting.

Deadline for applications 13^th December.

Salary: £40,000

Accommodation: Live In role accommodation provided  and bills covered.

This private advert is being managed directly by the employer. English Country Gardeners are not involved in the hiring process and are therefore unable to share any additional information on this role. If you have any questions regarding this position, the best course of action is to apply for the job which will open a line of communication with the employer.

If you would like to view more information on the Professional Gardeners Guild, please click here and the Royal Horticultural Society, please click here

For more gardener roles please click here

Tagged as: Bampton, full time, head gardener, Live In, Private Advert, West Oxfordshire