Experienced Gardener – Live-in – Vacancy

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced horticulturist to take responsibility for a garden within a rural 250 acre estate near Liphook. The garden of approximately 2 acres comprises an orchard, lawns, pool garden, cutting garden, a beautiful enclosed kitchen garden with a Victorian heated greenhouse,  a fruit cage, poly tunnel, hedges, pleaches and a variety of topiary. The garden is opened once a year under the NGS. It sits in the midsts of woods and fields which are increasingly being managed for wildlife and conservation value and the candidate, if interested, could become involved with this process.

Main duties and responsibilities:

* to manage the overall care and maintenance of the garden to a very high standard, including but not restricted to hedge cutting, pruning (eg. of topiary, roses, trained fruit trees, wall climbers and pleaches), lawn care, tending to the borders, weeding, propagation, mulching, sweeping and power washing of yorkstone terraces and keeping the potting shed and machinery stores neat and organised.

* to grow, harvest and store seasonal fruit and vegetables and cut flowers for the house and the barn (where occasional events are held). Salad is grown in winter in the greenhouse and poly tunnel. The owners are keen cooks and providing organic produce year round as well as flowers for the house or barn events is an important part of the job.

* to maintain photographic and written records of the garden including a notebook of what has been planted, the location and whether the plants have flourished.

* to provide security and look after the owner’s dogs when they are away

* to redevelop and enhance parts of the garden

* to help with animal care (chickens, peacocks, goats and donkeys)

* to carry out miscellaneous ad hoc jobs such as pool cleaning or occasional airport runs

Candidate Profile:

* strong plant knowledge and competence in a variety of horticultural practices including propagation, pruning, compost making and lawn care

* ability to identify plant pests and diseases and manage them in as environmentally sound way as possible eg. by the use of biological controls

* a keen interest in, and experience of organic vegetable and fruit production.

* strong time management and organisational skills, including the planning of schedules from weekly to yearly, so that things are not missed and are done at the right time.

* proactive and able to work on your own and take ownership of the garden

* ability to communicate efficiently with the owners and give them regular updates on the garden.

* at least a Level 2 in Horticulture and  a few years experience in a similar role

* ability to use and maintain garden machine and carry out general admin such as arranging for machinery to be serviced, buying in supplies etc.

The job package includes a lovely one bedroom cottage rent free with only electricity to pay. (We pay for hot water,  heating and council tax), plus a Pension.

Salary: Competitive Salary

Working Hours: 40 hours a week (8am to 5pm summer and 7.30am to 4.30pm winter)

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: Experienced Gardener, full time, hampshire, Live In, Private Advert, west sussex/hampshire