Sole Gardener
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced and qualified Sole Gardener to play a key role in the management and maintenance of a beautiful private garden near Petersfield, Hampshire. This position will suit a well-rounded and flexible gardener with good horticultural knowledge, an interest in trees and a willingness to carry out basic estate duties in addition to their main focus of the garden.
The property encompasses 7-acres with approximately 2.5-acres devoted to formal gardens. Major works are being carried out by a landscaping firm at present, with general garden maintenance also being undertaken in the interim. A lawncare specialist manages a golf hole on the property and has been looking after the wider garden lawns. However, their work here will reduce upon successful appointment of a Sole Gardener.
The gardens comprise extensive mixed borders, a kitchen garden, rose beds and woodland areas, a golf hole, swimming pool, wildlife pool, stream, formal pond, a tennis court, large flower beds/borders, a glasshouse and a walled garden and wildflower meadow in the making. Two high mixed hedges will require maintenance with machinery from platforms and as such, the Sole Gardener must be physically fit and strong with good a level of stamina. A large number and variety of trees are located within the property, ranging from young to veteran. Numerous ash have been lost to the ash die back fungus so replanting will be carried out to repopulate the area.
Some very large beech trees as well as scots pine, horse chestnut, lime and yew, fruit trees and specimen conifers will require basic checks for health/safety. Applicants for this role should therefore have an interest in trees and be able/willing to notice apparent defects/pathogens and research accordingly before notifying professional arborists if necessary. The desire to learn and develop your knowledge in this area is more important than professional qualifications and experience, as horticulture and garden management remains the primary focus of this position.
Applicants must be happy to carry out general garden maintenance and will need strong horticultural knowledge, including that of herbaceous border management and kitchen gardening. Species-specific pruning knowledge is essential as is an ability to prioritise the workload efficiently. General estate duties will be required though applicants are not expected to have specialist knowledge in this area, just a positive and helpful attitude. Applicants will ideally hold an academic horticultural qualification at Level 3 or above/equivalent with demonstrable experience on private estates, though those with extensive hands-on experience in each of the stated areas of horticulture will be considered. Spray certificates (PA1/PA6) are desired but not essential at this stage. Applicants will need a full driving licence and their own transport due to the rural location of the property.
SALARY: Circa £35,000 DOE
LOCATION: Petersfield, Hampshire
JOB No: EC21395
If this Sole Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Mark Read on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.
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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Sole 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 Sole Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
