Experienced Gardener
Experienced Gardener Vacancy
An experienced and knowledgeable gardener is sought after on a full time and permanent basis for a beautiful private garden in West Malling, Kent.
The 10-acre property includes a 3-acre garden and lawns which have been restored. The remaining land is currently meadows that will be converted over time to orchard. The garden is made up of of different areas and entails a half-acre walled garden extensively planted with various areas of interest in the different beds, greenhouse. At the property entrance is a giant tulip tree and a pond, with a fountain, behind which are rhododendrons and pachysandra, with Portuguese laurel by the fence. The main garden area to the side of the house has a raised rose bed and on the other side a long border extensively planted with shrubs and perennials. Climbing roses have been replanted against the house and there is a 1.5-acre lawn extending from the house, in which have been planted young ornamental trees. To the left of the lawn are giant linden trees and an old beech hedge. To the right of the lawn are ornamental cherries and a listed property boundary wall. The gardens also have a croquet lawn, with summer house and small pond.
There are plans of further restoration, development and planting in the garden creating new areas of interest such as areas with hostas and ferns, creating a large rose border and various other borders, rewilding and planting an orchard. The owner of the property has overseen and designed all the garden restoration and creation to date, including new plantings and is looking for an experienced gardener to work closely with her as a collaborator in the further development of the garden.
The successful candidate will be responsible for mowing of lawns, trimming edges, feeding and filling in patchy areas, watering during dry periods. Caring for trees and calling in qualified arborist if any tree needs attention. Cutting back loose branches and clearing unwanted ivy etc. from encroaching. Trimming and pruning hedges. Dealing with garden pests using fencing and environmentally acceptable deterrents for insects, snails, slugs and so forth. Sweeping, repairing and tending to paths. Weeding garden beds by hand and spraying with environmentally acceptable products of driveways and gravel paths. Planting and re-planting of flower beds, deadheading and cutting back, working with property owner to create new areas of interest in borders. Trellising and training of climbing plants; fertilizing and weed suppression by use of appropriate ground cover and/ or use of ground sheeting or bark chips. Tending to the ponds and ensuring pond health and keeping border of pond trimmed. Keeping up greenhouse through nurturing seedlings over winter months in greenhouse. Maintaining garden equipment.
Applicants will ideally hold a horticultural qualification, combined with excellent plant knowledge and previous experience working on private estates. The gardener will be physically fit and should have a flexible attitude regarding the day structure. The ability to operate and maintain a range of garden machinery and a full UK driving licence is desirable.
The position is full time, 40-hour week with the schedule to be determined by the successful candidate. Part time candidates would be considered but must be able to allocate at least 25 hours weekly. A competitive package will be provided to the successful candidate depending on experience with statutory leave and discretionary bonus.
SALARY: £30,000 – 32,000 depending on experience
LOCATION: West Malling, Kent
JOB No: EC41721
If this Experienced 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 Assistant 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 Assistant Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
