An excellent opportunity has arisen for a skilled and experienced gardener to join a close estate team on a beautiful private property in central/east Dorset, on a full-time basis.  Applicants should hold academic horticultural qualifications, preferably at Level 3 or above, as well as demonstrable experience of managing private gardens at Skilled/Senior or Sole Gardener level.  This position is offered with a generous salary plus accommodation by way of a one-bedroom coach house flat; suitable for a single person or a couple. 

The rural property is situated in a beautiful location, approximately 20-miles from the Dorset coast.  The historic main house is surrounded by formal gardens with parkland, a river, mature trees and managed paddocks beyond.  A small team of staff ensure the smooth running of the estate, of which the successful applicant will play an integral part.

The formal gardens include ornamental beds and borders, a glasshouse, expansive lawns, a swimming pool, a lake, and mature trees throughout.  This position will require applicants to have a thorough understanding of, and demonstrable experience in kitchen gardening, as a wide variety of produce is grown for the house on an ongoing basis.  

The Skilled Gardener will play a leading role in the management of the formal gardens and will be required to provide guidance and direction to part-time gardeners when on site.  The owner of the property is passionate about the gardens and will provide priorities at the beginning of each week in relation to the changing requirements of the estate.

Suitable applicants for this role will have extensive experience of managing gardens on private estates from a hands-on perspective and will preferably have some experience of directing/supervising garden staff.  Applicants should have good plant identification skills, excellent attention to detail and a methodological approach to their work.  Demonstrable experience in kitchen gardening and plant propagation/glasshouse work is essential, as is competency in the operation and basic maintenance of garden machinery.  Spraying qualifications (PA1/PA6), an in-date First Aid certificate, and chainsaw certificate would be desirable, though training can be provided for otherwise suitable candidates if necessary. Applicants must be tidy in their work, presentable, positive in attitude and possess a working understanding of the considerations required of gardeners on private estates.