An incredible opportunity has arisen for an experience Kitchen Gardener to join a prestigious private estate based in Barbados. This role offers the chance to work within a beautifully designed and recently planted garden setting, while playing an important part in the next phase of the garden’s development, under the direction of the Head Gardener. For those with a love of plants, a desire to be part of an amazing project and to make a lasting impact in a tropical setting, this position offers a truly enviable career move.

Currently the estate spans an impressive 250-acres, yet this is continuously expanding. It comprises of a wide variety of distinct and beautifully maintained garden spaces and departments. These include formal lawns, herbaceous borders, orchards filled with diverse fruit trees, cutting gardens, ornamental beds, a produce garden focused on organic cultivation, and a private nursery. Further features include fishponds, water features, structured landscapes, and a beachside section. The estate is also actively committed to sustainable practices, aiming to maintain organic standards, implement composting initiatives, and introduce new plant and fruit tree species.

The owner has ambitious and exciting plans for the continued development and investment in the gardens, with significant expenditure planned with the view to creating a fantastic legacy garden. The Kitchen Gardener will play a key role in supporting the Head Gardener, future plans on a practical level, helping to implement new planting, maintain evolving areas, and ensure that all developments are cared for and presented to an exceptional standard as they mature.

Alongside the newly appointed Head Gardener, the gardening team currently comprises around twenty members, including both permanent and temporary staff. While the majority of the team possess basic horticultural knowledge, some operate largely as labourers. As a result, a skilled and knowledgeable gardener is required to lead, guide, and train the team, as well as to manage the department. This support will allow the Head Gardener to focus on the continued expansion and strategic development of the estate.

Reporting to the Head Gardener, our client is seeking a suitably qualified Kitchen Gardener to take responsibility for the planning, development, and ongoing maintenance of a 1-acre organic production garden which is currently undergoing an expansion and redesign as part of a broader, evolving master plan guided by a dedicated Landscape Architect team. The Garden Supervisor will oversee the cultivation of a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, ranging from locally grown Caribbean species to more traditional UK produce. The site boasts an extensive growing setup, including a large growing structure, 120 newly installed raised beds, a greenhouse, polytunnels, fruit cages and netting to provide protection from monkeys. The successful candidate will also be responsible for overseeing a ¾ acre Fruit Forest featuring an extensive and diverse range of tree species.

The garden team responsible for this area consists of four gardeners, and the Garden Supervisor will oversee and support this team on a daily basis. Working to priorities agreed with the Head Gardener, the Garden Supervisor will assign daily tasks, monitor progress, and provide hands-on guidance and support to ensure work is carried out efficiently and to a consistently high standard.

The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of organic growing practices, with particular emphasis on soil health, composting, and sustainable fertility management. They will be confident in managing compost systems and applying best practice to support productive, healthy crops. A good working knowledge of irrigation systems is essential, including the maintenance of polytunnels, greenhouse environments, and the wider garden. An awareness of water conservation and seasonal irrigation requirements is important. The role requires experience in crop planning, rotation, and succession planting, alongside an understanding of organic pest and disease management, including preventative and biological controls. Practical experience with fruit trees and perennial systems, including pruning and general orchard or food forest care, is highly desirable.

The role is very much hands-on and will include practical involvement in planting, pruning, lawn care, irrigation checks, pest and disease monitoring, and the detailed care of formal beds, borders, and specimen plants. The Garden Supervisor will lead by example, fostering good working practices, attention to detail, and a positive team environment. Acting as a key link between the gardening team and the Head Gardener, the Garden Supervisor will provide regular feedback on crop production, progress of works, staffing needs, and any issues arising within the garden areas around the main house. They will also assist in ensuring tools, machinery, and workspaces are well maintained and that health and safety procedures are followed at all times.

The ideal candidate will have substantial experience within large and complex private or public gardens at a senior level, with a strong emphasis on a wealth of plant knowledge, organic cultivation and diverse estate environments. Previous experience supervising or mentoring a small team is essential, along with the ability to organise daily workloads and maintain exceptionally high standards. A proactive attitude, good communication skills, and enthusiasm for being involved in a garden that is actively developing and evolving are key. A flexible, hands-on approach and a genuine enthusiasm for garden development and innovation are vital, as are relevant horticultural qualifications and appropriate health and safety certifications.

The role offers a competitive benefits package with health and travel insurance as well as live-in accommodation within the estate. Further details regarding accommodation and additional benefits will be discussed at interview stage.

As part of the application and interview process, candidates should be aware that there are several important requirements. Applicants must hold a valid, up-to-date passport to be considered for this overseas role. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check conducted by the employer, and candidates should be comfortable with this as part of the recruitment procedure. Additionally, a medical examination and certificate will be required to support the visa application process. For those progressing to the third stage of interviews, there will be an invitation to visit the estate in Barbados for approximately one week to meet the principals, the Head Gardener, and the existing team, as well as to view the property firsthand. Candidates should confirm their availability for travel within the coming weeks if shortlisted. Finally, successful applicants will need to specify who will be relocating with them, including partners, dependents, or pets.

We encourage candidates to submit any additional supporting materials, such as a cover letter and/or portfolio, to strengthen their application. Upon receipt of these details, we will continue with the review of your candidacy.

SALARY: GPB £40,000 – £50,000 DOE + Accommodation

 LOCATION:  Barbados

 JOB No: EC70767

If this Kitchen Gardener vacancy is of interest, please click ‘Apply for job’ below or contact Sophie Sharpe on 01233 733510 or email info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk

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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Kitchen 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.

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Tagged as: Caribbean Gardener, Kitchen Gardener