Senior Gardener
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced gardener with experience in biodiversity enhancement and organic gardening, to play a leading role in the development of a historic country estate near Woodstock in Oxfordshire. This position would suit an academically qualified and knowledgeable hands-on gardener with some experience at supervisory/senior level.
The 50-acre property comprises three fields of approximately 14-acres each, with a river, woodland, meadows, a pond, marshland, and an ancient walled garden that has been untouched for the past 50-years. The 8-acre formal garden and main house is nestled among mature native trees, including an ancient taxus baccata and a range native broadleaf species. Additional features include a tennis court and several barns/offices and a cottage, each with their own areas of garden to be maintained.
The site is ecologically sensitive; with the marshland, wildflower meadows, woodland and out-buildings providing a diversity of habitat to attract many species including Barn Owls, Otters and pollinating insects. The surrounding fields are minimally managed, with the whole site being organic and the development of the gardens to follow the same management principles.
The successful candidate will be required to play a leading role in the development of the gardens in collaboration with the owners, and to work with and coordinate an existing groundsman/arborist, as well as to liaise with the local farmers and contractors. There will likely be a requirement for additional help by way of a part-time gardener or apprentice upon commencement of the garden renovation work, for which the Senior Gardener will be responsible.
The existing gardens are naturally beautiful due to their age and variety of features; however, the primary aim of the Senior Gardener will be to sympathetically renovate and develop these areas to reflect the history and ecological focus of the site, as well as the potential from an ornamental/design perspective.
The horticultural and creative input of the Senior Gardener will be drawn upon, with enthusiasm, energy and a genuine passion for the project being paramount for this position. The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of hands-on gardening and associated seasonal planning, to include but not limited to general garden maintenance, propagation, irrigation, pruning, hedge cutting, strimming, mowing, seasonal lawn care, plant training, planting, staking, composting, and pest and disease management via organic means. Plans to install a glasshouse and to build a kitchen garden are to be implemented by the Senior Gardener alongside the required assistance/contractors, and the management of these areas upon completion is to be the responsibility of the postholder.
Applicants for this role should have strong horticultural knowledge and an academic horticultural qualification at RHS Level 2 or above, good time management skills and an ability to work with others on site as well as external contractors. Good physical strength and fitness is required, as is an ability to work with a wide range of garden tools and petrol-powered machinery. A full driving licence is essential, as is experience in plant propagation and kitchen gardening.
This is an excellent opportunity for a Skilled Gardener to take the next step in their career, or for a Senior or Head Gardener to take on into a new role in which creative talent and an interest in environmentally sensitive gardening will be utilised and enhanced.
SALARY: £30,000 – £35,000 DOE
LOCATION: Woodstock, Oxfordshire
JOB No: EC27952
If this Senior 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 Senior 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 Senior Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
