Skilled Gardener
An incredible opportunity has become available for Skilled Gardener to join a small team on an incredible Grade I listed property in Surrey. The Skilled Gardener will work closely with the Head Gardener in carrying out the maintenance of and continue to enhance the formal gardens on a full time and permanent basis.
The gardens are set within 500 acres of parkland the gardens have a long history and have been developed over the years to become the garden it is today. The garden consists of a large walled garden, kitchen garden, orangery containing a large collection of citrus trees, orchard, arboretum, temperate, arid, tropical display houses and service greenhouses, water features, large ornamental borders, seasonal bedding displays including pots, rose garden, and woodland garden.
Key responsibilities and accountabilities of the Skilled gardener is to assist the Head Gardener to ensure the formal gardens are developed and maintained to the highest standards including planting and maintaining a wide variety of plants, vegetables, shrubs and trees in line with the planting schedule, apply fertilisers, pesticides, manures and mulches as appropriate. You will assist in reviewing the annual maintenance programme; watering, pruning and edging – using ladders and scaffolding where appropriate, maintaining the plants, waterfeature and cleanliness in the glasshouse and developing a knowledge of all formal gardens and the specific practices required for each area. The team uphold all health & safety regulations and ensure all other team members and contractors are compliant.
Additional duties include maintain garden buildings, paths, walls and gates as well as support the house team with their requests for floristry and garden produce or other support as needed. Residential staff are required to make themselves available for visits and become part of the emergency and salvage team, responding to emergencies or incidents as directed. You will also undertake the role of garden duty manager on a rotational basis, including out of hours garden maintenance duties, e.g. weekend watering, etc. and may be required to assist at the Principal’s other properties occasionally.
Applicants will hold an RHS level 2 certificate or equivalent, have an in-depth and wide-ranging understanding of horticulture, PA1 and PA6 spraying certificates and relevant previous experience working in a similar position: ideally 5 years’ minimum. The successful candidate will have excellent organisational skills, effective communication skills both written and verbal, good prioritisation skills and be flexible enough to adapt plans as well as have a team-playing mentality. Experience with light machinery operation / garden machinery and a full driving licence is essential.
SALARY: £25,000 plus accommodation
LOCATION: Surrey
JOB No: EC36118
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.
