Overview

We are seeking an experienced gardener to maintain and enhance the gardens of a private country house set within 5 acres.
The garden includes vegetable plots, fruit trees, flower beds, hedges and natural areas. We will require hands on expertise and an eye for design and detail.

This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who has horticultural expertise and who is interested in plants, working outside and who takes pride in the maintenance of a beautiful and productive environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. General Garden Maintenance

• Maintain lawns, borders, flower beds and pathways to a good standard.
• Regular mowing (or overseeing lawn contractors depending on the season), edging, weeding, pruning, mulching and deadheading.
• Seasonal planting and replanting of flowers, bulbs and shrubs.
• Care of trees and shrubs, ensuring plant health and appearance.

2. Kitchen Garden and Fruit Trees

• Plan, plant and maintain vegetable plots and herb gardens for mainly summer production
• Plant seeds in green house to prepare for the spring vegetable planting season
• Manage fruit trees and soft fruit bushes, including pruning and feeding
• Harvest produce for household use.

3. Grounds Management

• Maintain lawns, driveways and garden structures
• Operate garden machinery and ensure that it is regularly serviced and maintained.
• Manage composting, leaf collection and recycling of green waste

4. Planning and Seasonal Work

• Develop and execute a seasonal garden maintenance plan.
• Manage greenhouse and poly tunnel.
• Prepare and protect the garden for changing seasons.

5. Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with the homeowner (and other household staff) to ensure that the gardens work well and look good.
• Provide ideas on improvements and developments.
• Supervise contractors where seasons require additional support such as tree surgeons, pest control, irrigation specialists and lawn maintenance people.

6. Poultry

• Regularly clean out of the chicken coop.
• Check the poultry for lice and any medical issues and advise accordingly.
• Collect eggs and feed the poultry.

We provide a relaxed and happy work environment and there is a degree of mucking in with household staff such as the collection of parcels delivered to the house and the carrying of dustbins etc.

Candidate Profile

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience as a professional gardener
• Sound knowledge of horticulture, plant care, soil management and traditional gardening methods.
• Competence with garden machinery and tools, with an understanding of maintenance and safety.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively and take initiative.
• Physically fit and capable of working outdoors year round in varying weather conditions.

Overview

We are seeking an experienced gardener to maintain and enhance the gardens of a private country house set within 5 acres.
The garden includes vegetable plots, fruit trees, flower beds, hedges and natural areas. We will require hands on expertise and an eye for design and detail.

This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who has horticultural expertise and who is interested in plants, working outside and who takes pride in the maintenance of a beautiful and productive environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. General Garden Maintenance

• Maintain lawns, borders, flower beds and pathways to a good standard.
• Regular mowing (or overseeing lawn contractors depending on the season), edging, weeding, pruning, mulching and deadheading.
• Seasonal planting and replanting of flowers, bulbs and shrubs.
• Care of trees and shrubs, ensuring plant health and appearance.

2. Kitchen Garden and Fruit Trees

• Plan, plant and maintain vegetable plots and herb gardens for mainly summer production
• Plant seeds in green house to prepare for the spring vegetable planting season
• Manage fruit trees and soft fruit bushes, including pruning and feeding
• Harvest produce for household use.

3. Grounds Management

• Maintain lawns, driveways and garden structures
• Operate garden machinery and ensure that it is regularly serviced and maintained.
• Manage composting, leaf collection and recycling of green waste

4. Planning and Seasonal Work

• Develop and execute a seasonal garden maintenance plan.
• Manage greenhouse and poly tunnel.
• Prepare and protect the garden for changing seasons.

5. Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with the homeowner (and other household staff) to ensure that the gardens work well and look good.
• Provide ideas on improvements and developments.
• Supervise contractors where seasons require additional support such as tree surgeons, pest control, irrigation specialists and lawn maintenance people.

6. Poultry

• Regularly clean out of the chicken coop.
• Check the poultry for lice and any medical issues and advise accordingly.
• Collect eggs and feed the poultry.

We provide a relaxed and happy work environment and there is a degree of mucking in with household staff such as the collection of parcels delivered to the house and the carrying of dustbins etc.

Candidate Profile

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience as a professional gardener
• Sound knowledge of horticulture, plant care, soil management and traditional gardening methods.
• Competence with garden machinery and tools, with an understanding of maintenance and safety.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively and take initiative.
• Physically fit and capable of working outdoors year round in varying weather conditions.