Experienced Gardener required

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Skilled Gardener (live out) to join the small team on a historic estate near Tetbury in the Cotswolds. This role would suit an academically qualified and well-rounded gardener with at least 3-5-years’ experience on private estates and/or horticulturally diverse gardens.

Garden Description:

The garden is 12 acres in size situated within a private estate and includes formal and informal lawns, shrub, roses and herbaceous borders, topiary, a Woodland Garden, Parterre and Courtyard Garden. A large walled garden designed to display formal ornamental borders is also used for the production of fruit, vegetables and cut flowers. The heated glasshouses within the walled garden are used for both the production and display of flowering pot plants throughout the year for use in the main house, as well as the propagation of plants used in the garden borders and seasonal pot displays. The spectacular views outside the main garden make this a picturesque location to work in.

Main Areas of Responsibility:

To undertake and assist with the hands-on seasonal maintenance and development of beds, borders, paths and structures, including completing main duties within the Walled Garden, glasshouses and wider grounds.

Tasks will mainly include the following depending on season and operational requirements:

• Maintenance of extensive herbaceous plantings to include dead-heading, staking, tying-in, division, feeding and watering.
• Maintenance of paths, ornamental and design features.
• Wide use of garden tools, equipment and machinery.
• Shrub and specimen tree planting and maintenance.
• Vegetable seed sowing, cultivation and harvesting.
• Care and maintenance of soft, cane and top fruit.
• Topiary trimming, maintenance and development.
• Grass mowing and renovation maintenance.
• Weeding and mulching of ornamental borders
• Leaf clearance
• Seasonal bulb and container planting displays
• Pruning of shrubs and roses
• Assisting with greenhouse management and maintenance
• Assisting with irrigation systems and water features
• Assisting with the management of composting of waste on site and recycling.
• Pest and disease control through organic methods where possible
• Assisting with the provision of cut flowers, pot plants, fruit and vegetables for the main house.
• Comply with all Health and Safety rules and regulations ensuring own and others’ Health and Safety at all times.
• Any other duties as requested by The Head Gardener and/or Senior Gardener

Person specification:

Essential

• Hold a recognised horticultural qualification equivalent to RHS level 2 theory and practical or equivalent/above.
• Wide range of relevant horticultural practical experience, ideally within a private estate garden setting.
• Personal pride in a high standard of workmanship with a pro-active approach.
• Full understanding and experience of the operation, maintenance and health and safety  of a wide range of horticultural machinery.
• Flexibility, reliability and enjoyment of working as part of a team and/or working unsupervised.
• Good organisational skills, interpersonal communication skills and the proven ability to prioritise own work.
• Good plant knowledge and identification.
• Extensive knowledge and practical experience in a wide range of horticultural skills.
• Physically fit, having a broad experience of working with herbaceous borders, formal and informal lawn areas, kitchen gardening, cut flowers, and must also be well-versed in glasshouse and plant propagation.
• Personal pride in a high standard of workmanship with a pro-active approach.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times and exercise discretion.
• A current driving licence.

Desirable:

• A good understanding of the principles of organic gardening.
• Lantra machinery certification.

Additional Information:   

The job involves carrying out demanding and repetitive physical tasks.

Working Hours:

Standard working hours are Monday to Friday, with 40-hours/week being expected, however some flexibility may be required at times to reflect seasonal demands).  Extra weekend watering duties are required on a rota basis.

The position is offered with 20-days holiday per annum (plus Bank Holidays).

This Experienced Gardener 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 Experienced Gardener 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

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Tagged as: Experienced Gardener, Live Out