Head Gardener
An exciting opportunity has become available for a self-motivated and driven head gardener on an incredible estate near Haverhill in Suffolk. The head gardener will report directly to the garden owner and may occasionally work with a well-known garden designer who has been responsible for restoring areas of the garden. However, the head gardener will be responsible for enhancing the garden’s incredible features and restoring new areas, as well as managing and maintaining the garden as a whole. The position is full time and on a permanent basis.
The 13-acre historic gardens surrounding the grade II listed property are part of a large country sports-based estate and have two 200-meter canals running through it. There are extensive lawns at the front and back, which are currently being restored, and the house is surrounded by herbaceous borders. There is also a rose garden, a small dry garden area that is being extended and a 150 long border that is being redeveloped. The large new kitchen garden is managed as a no-dig, fixed bed area, and is used to grow fresh vegetables, perennial and annual cutflowers and soft fruit to supply the house year round.
The orchard is in need of replanting and a wildflower meadow that is currently being created. A set of heated dutch style glasshouses is also part of the property and is used to grow vegetables year round, peaches, apricots and grapes and has extensive bench area for propagating large numbers of plants to be used in the garden. A swimming pool and tennis court are also part of the garden and the owners are keen to redesign around these areas. The garden is surrounded by extensive paddocks and wild parkland and an incredible area of woodland wraps around the property, which is filled with snowdrops and daffodils in spring.
The head gardener must have excellent plant knowledge and a genuine hunger and excitement for creating stunning and unique gardens. The successful applicant will work to a high horticultural standard to continue to improve the borders, redevelop new areas of the garden which are in active expansion, keep the kitchen garden productive and maintain the glasshouses and the different areas of the garden. At the moment, there is a skilled part-time gardener who does 3 days a week and will assist the successful candidate, as well as a full time groundsman. As the garden develops and expands so will the team.
Applicants should ideally possess a horticultural qualification combined with excellent plant and tree knowledge and previous experience working on private estates. Experience growing fruit, vegetables and cutflowers as well as specialist pruning is required for the role. Ability to operate a range of garden machinery and good craft skills are also desirable for the role. A full UK driving licence is essential and experience driving compact tractors is also desirable. Although the gardens are run mainly on organic practices, the candidate will ideally hold a spraying certificate and have experience with such.
The position is open to candidates looking for a live in or live out position. A 3 bedroom cottage can be provided on site and partners, children and pets are welcome. Council tax is paid by the tenant but reimbursed by the employer in the monthly payslip and bills are the responsibility of the tenant.
SALARY: £35,000 – £37,000 DOE
LOCATION: Near Haverhill, Suffolk
JOB No: EC60808
If this Head Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Sara Yassin on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.
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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Head Gardener vacancy. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this Head Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
