Grounds Person / Gardener
Grounds Person / Gardener required
A rare opportunity has arisen for a Skilled Grounds Person to utilise their turf management skills on a stunning private estate whilst also having the opportunity to develop their gardening and horticultural knowledge. This vacancy will suit a candidate with strong turf care experience, i.e. of grass tennis courts, cricket pitches etc. and a keen interest in gardening.
The impressive 16th century manor house is framed by gardens designed by a highly respected Chelsea Gold Medal winning designer. The Estate encompasses approximately 40-acres, five of which are gardens maintained to a very high standard and are open once a year in May as part of the NGS scheme, with visitor numbers exceeding 1000 every year. The ornamental gardens feature many elements including specimen trees and shrubs, mixed and herbaceous planting, an orchard, water features, fine lawns and meadow areas. The garden has two glasshouses including an orangery and a polytunnel to provide additional growing space. The kitchen garden and adjacent allotment space are used for the production of fruit and vegetables, of which some are used for preserves and juices. The remainder of the estate encompasses a swimming pool, outbuildings, horse stables, paddocks, beehives, parkland, a tennis court and a smallholding. The estate is also the home of a small number of Dexter cattle, sheep and chickens.
Expansive areas of lawn and a new grass tennis court will be the focus of this new role, with the successful candidate maintaining these areas as their primary responsibility and reporting to the Head Gardener. The working week will vary between the seasons; the summer will consist of 4-5 days of mowing, edging and fine turf care, with any additional time being spent maintaining the hedges and other areas of the garden. Winter duties will be determined by the requirements of the lawns and grass tennis court and will include a greater proportion of time in the wider garden alongside the small team.
In addition to the main gardens, the client owns one additional local property at which the successful candidate may be asked to undertake lawn management and general garden maintenance alongside the team.
The successful candidate will be well-versed in the management of fine turf, to include treatment by way of feeding, scarification, pest and disease control, seeding, drainage and other associated duties to ensure the highest quality turf and lawns throughout the seasons. Professionals with a strong background in fine lawn care, tennis court and/or cricket pitch management would be suitable applicants, as interviews will in part involve discussion with an industry specialist. Basic machinery operation and maintenance will form part of the role so candidates must be able to demonstrate their abilities in these areas via previous positions of responsibility.
Good physical fitness and a commitment to the garden are necessary, as is a willingness to work as part of a small and friendly team where required to do so. Applicants must have a positive ‘can-do’ attitude and a willingness to contribute to the smooth running of the estate. A full driving license and transport are required as the property is in a rural location.
SALARY: Circa £25,000 DOE
LOCATION: Ayot-St-Lawrence, Hertfordshire
JOB No: EC13922
If this Grounds Person / 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 Grounds Person / 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 Grounds Person / Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
