Skilled Gardener
Skilled Gardener required
An incredible opportunity has arisen for two skilled gardeners with the experience and knowledge of vegetable gardening and/or rose pruning to join a small team on the gardens of a stunning Chateau situated in Verviers, Belgium.
This wonderfully located 55-acre estate comprises of a kitchen garden, rose garden, extensive lawns, shrubs, mixed beds and borders, mature and new trees, pond, water feature, wildflower meadow, and three glasshouses. The owners are based there 6 months of the year and the skilled gardener would report into the head gardener to assist with enhancing and maintaining the gardens to a very high standard.
The kitchen garden is a half hectare ornamental vegetable garden with mixed planting, herbs and a plan to introduce cut flowers. The vegetables are used for the house and the gardener would be required to liaise with the chef on seasonal vegetables requested. Vegetables include potatoes, cabbages, broccoli, rhubarb etc and the fruits include tomatoes, raspberries, strawberries, quince, pears, plums, and peaches. An orchard is currently in the process of being planted. As this area is an ornamental kitchen garden, it is important that the gardener has a good understanding of the seasons as planning for each stage of the season is vital for this position to be visually aesthetic throughout the year.
The rose garden consists of a wide variety of species including climbers, ramblers, shrub roses amongst others in extensive quantities. The skilled gardener will have the knowledge and experience to carry out specialist pruning on the roses. The gardens are all maintained organically, and a good understanding of pest and disease control / organic chemicals is essential.
The skilled gardener will be responsible for one of the two areas (kitchen garden or rose garden) and will also support the head gardener on the wider estate with the general garden maintenance such as pruning, hedge cutting, deadheading etc. The gardener will enjoy working as part of a team and have excellent communication skills.
The ability to speak French would be an advantage but not essential as other members of the team speak English and French. Candidates should have excellent horticultural knowledge and hold a recognised horticultural qualification. He / She will need to be proficient in the operation and maintenance of garden machinery. A full driving licence is required.
The position comes with a fully furnished onsite one bedroom apartment rent free and utility bills covered by the employer. The accommodation would suit a single individual or a couple. However, if the skilled gardener would like to live off site e.g. if additional rooms are required, then in agreement with the employer with regards to rental costs etc., the employer would cover the rent for the agreed accommodation and additional costs such as water, electricity are at the expense of the gardener.
SALARY: £28,000 – £30,000 depending on experience
LOCATION: Verviers, Belgium
JOB No: EC33163
If this Skilled 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 Skilled 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 Skilled Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
