A genuinely exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate and skilled Gardener to play a key role in the development and ongoing management of the Market Garden on a private estate in rural Oxfordshire.  Fruit, vegetable and herb gardening will be a primary focus of the role, though assisting on the wider gardens will also play a significant part.  Passion, energy, discretion and importantly, a good sense of humour, are essential requirements for this role.

Set within 1000-acres of active farmland, the house sits at the top of the plot with beautiful expansive views directly surrounded by a 3-acre formal garden. Beyond the immediate gardens lies the market garden, lawns, heritage orchard, 400-year-old untouched wildflower meadows containing rare orchid and grass species, pond, fields of sheep and parkland.

The market garden itself extends to approximately 2.2 acres and is in the early stages of development, with a primary focus on the cultivation of herbs. A row of fruit trees and red currant bushes will be planted along the perimeter to act as natural windbreaks, helping to shelter the growing areas and create a productive microclimate. Within the garden, four substantial beds will be established for key herb varieties including Parsley, Mint and Thyme. Moving forwards, the market garden will be adapted to grow a more conventional mixed crop production of vegetables and fruit. Prior to planting, the soil will be prepared using a para-harrow to improve structure and aeration, after which the garden will transition to a no-dig growing method.

Three fully irrigated polytunnels are already in place and play an important role in extending the growing season. These are currently used to produce a variety of crops including chillies, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, garlic, basil and strawberries during the summer months, with plans to add a fourth polytunnel as the market garden develops further. The fruit, vegetables and herbs on the farm are high quality traditional British produce grown through traditional methods. Cut flowers are part of the plan for the future.

Working closely with the Head Gardener supported by the wider farm and grounds team, the successful candidate will initially be responsible for establishing and maintaining a productive market garden and polytunnels that supplies high-quality seasonal produce. Duties will include crop planning and rotation, soil preparation and improvement, sowing, planting, propagation, irrigation management, harvesting, and maintaining the overall health and productivity of the growing areas. The Market Gardener will also oversee pest and disease management and ensure that all areas are maintained to a high horticultural standard.

Candidates should have practical experience in vegetable production or market gardening, a strong understanding of seasonal growing, and the ability to work independently while managing a varied workload. A proactive, organised, and enthusiastic approach is essential, with flexibility and an open mind to assist on the wider gardens and grounds. Good physical fitness is essential, as is an ability to operate safely a full range of garden machinery and equipment.  A full driving licence is required of all applicants.

The successful applicant will have genuine enthusiasm for their work, excellent technical and physical horticultural abilities, a positive and personable character and a good sense of fun.  Discretion is also important in this role as client confidentiality is of paramount important and the candidate will be requested to sign an NDA. Satisfactory references will be required at offer stage.

This role would ideally suit a gardener with a strong interest in kitchen gardening, who enjoys working hands-on with the land and contributing to a thriving farm environment.

SALARY:        Circa £38,000 DOE

LOCATION:  Oxfordshire

JOB No:          EC71968

If this Market Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply below,  call Sara Yassin on 01233 733510 or  info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk

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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Market 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 vacancy has been unsuccessful.

We are proud to work with:

• the Professional Gardeners’ Guild
• the RHS
• the WFGA – offering the WRAGs Scheme
• Arne Maynard Garden Design
• Historic Houses
• the HBG Training Programme

Tagged as: Market Gardener