Senior Gardener for private estate near Newbury, Hungerford, Swindon - Accommodation provided

Within a team running a 50 acre estate, the role of Senior Gardener is primarily concerned with the care of a 1/3 acre walled garden, a vegetable & cut flower garden, a woodland shrub garden and a small orchard.  The role also involves ensuring that the main house is provided with flowers and vegetables throughout the growing season.  We open the gardens to the public once a year as part of the National Garden Scheme and also host corporate events and the occasional wedding in the grounds.

We seek a qualified and experienced senior gardener to work as part of a team of 3. A sound training in horticulture is essential (RHS Diploma preferable) with additional specialist skills being welcome.  The interview will involve a plant identification test.  We are looking for someone who is passionate about their work, has a good eye for detail, is well organised and is capable of prioritising workloads. The ability to work on your own, and as part of a small team is essential. 

The team

We employ one full time person to look after the wider estate, including the vast majority of grass cutting, tree felling, logging, engineering / machine maintenance, fencing etc.  We also employ a housekeeper cum chef with whom regular contact is essential in providing a regular flow of cut flowers and vegetables.

The Role – Overview: 

·         Maintenance of Walled Garden -  includes but is not limited to: planting out, weeding, cutting back, seasonal adjustments to herbaceous borders, hedge cutting, mowing, watering, gravel maintenance, irrigation system maintenance, tool maintenance, prepping and maintenance of pots, putting the garden to bed for the winter.

·         Maintenance of Vegetable and cut flower garden - includes but is not limited to: Non-specialist propagation and plant production under glass (2 greenhouses, a cold box and a polytunnel), growing of bedding plants, vegetable and cut flowers husbandry, weeding, fertilising, maintenance of compost heaps and raised beds, maintaining a planting plan to allow for seasonal vegetables, fruits and flowers etc.

·         Maintenance of small orchard: Seasonal pruning and cutting of orchard trees and application of pesticides in accordance with regulations.

·         Maintenance of the Woodland Garden: keeping the shrubs under control, and the paths and shrub beds clear of weeds

·         Maintenance of climbing roses around the house and the outside of the Walled Garden: deadheading and pruning

Reporting Line

To the owners

Professional qualifications sought:

• NVQ Level 2 in amenity horticulture or higher OR
• RHS level 2 or higher.
• PA1 & 6A Spraying Certificates
• At least 5 years professional gardening experience (in horticulture), with preferably at least 2 years post qualification experience
• Clean full driving license
• Chainsaw CS30, CS31, current First Aid cert.,

Accommodation: we have a 2-bedroomed cottage available.  It is comprised of a kitchen, dining room, living room, and separate WC downstairs.  Upstairs are 2 bedrooms and a bathroom with WC.

Work hours: Mon- Fri from 8:00 am to 4:15 pm with a half hour break for lunch and 15 minutes for a morning tea break, although in the summer months some flexibility   may be required.  A room for breaks is provided.

Holiday allowance: 20 days, not more than one week at a time during principal summer months.

To apply please email a short cover letter outlining your experience together with your CV.

NB. We will endeavour to reply to all applicants, but apologise in advance if, by virtue of demand, we are unable to.  Successful applicants will initially be contacted by email and shortly thereafter interviewed over the telephone / Skype during the week beginning August 6, with finalists being invited in for interview over the following week.  No one will receive a response before August 6^th.