Head Gardener
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head Gardener to lead a small team on a beautiful and established private estate near Hungerford, West Berkshire. This role would suit a knowledgeable and hands on gardener with previous experience as a Head Gardener.
The estate covers approximately 72-acres in total, with 25-acres being dedicated to the garden to varying degrees of formality. The highly maintained gardens comprise wide herbaceous and grass borders, herb gardens, a large kitchen garden and walled gardens, wider shrub and woodland planting around a lake, with extensive natural woodlands, natural swimming ponds and water meadows.
The Head Gardener will lead a team of three including one full time and two part time gardeners, to maintain the newly established garden to a high horticultural standard as well as continue to enhance and carry out ongoing projects such as tree planting. The role will hands on with the team and involve general garden maintenance such as mowing, hedge cutting, strimming, pruning etc. in addition to the maintenance of all plantings, weed control, staking/wire supports, assistance within the woodland areas, maintenance of all lawn areas, wildflower areas and water meadows, seasonal bulb and pot planting, seed collection and propagation, maintenance of all drives, paths, terrace and tracks, maintaining the irrigation system, mulching, maintenance of garden features e.g. water features, sculptures, seating, checking drains, the maintenance of equipment, composting of waste on site, assisting with vegetable, fruit, nut and cut flower production in the kitchen garden, maintenance of a natural swimming pond as well as general estate maintenance where necessary.
Suitable candidates will ideally hold academic horticultural qualifications at RHS Level 2 or above/equivalent as well as a minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Head Gardener on private estates. Applicants should have good horticultural knowledge as well as some experience in plant propagation and kitchen gardening. Physical fitness is essential as is an ability to safely operate garden machinery. Chainsaw and chemical spray certificates would be beneficial.
This is an excellent opportunity to join an impressive private estate, and to work alongside a great team. The role is available to either be live in or live out. If live out, the salary would be up to £45,000 depending on experience and applicants will ideally live within a reasonable commute of Inkpen, Hungerford. If live in, the salary would be £35,000 depending on experience and a two-bedroom cottage onsite provided rent free with council tax and bills e.g. water and electricity paid by the employer.
SALARY: £35,000 with accommodation / up to £45,000 without accommodation
LOCATION: Hungerford, West Berkshire
JOB No: EC61015
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.
