Apprentice Gardener - Kitchen Garden

Apprentice Gardener – Kitchen Garden

Job Description:

An exciting and rare position has arisen for an enthusiastic, dedicated and keen to learn apprentice to join a small gardening team at a large private estate in Nidderdale, North Yorkshire.

The overall estate comprises around 1,500 hectares of forestry, farmland and moorland in addition to some 15 hectares of formal gardens surrounding the principal residence. These gardens include formal ornamental areas and productive kitchen gardens, in addition to numerous specimen trees, various water features, an extensive rhododendron collection and a 5ha walled arboretum.

This role is focused in the productive gardens, working in the 1 acre of walled gardens which have recently been reinstated. This position will be supported by the National Allotment Society who will provide some bursary funding to support this specific pilot apprenticeship scheme. The role will be centred around the production of fruits, vegetables and cut flowers both outside and under glass.

The candidate will work under the direction and guidance of the Head Gardener and other garden staff for practical hands-on training alongside the formal college training. The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic, professional, organised individual not only with a passion for gardens & working outdoors but also the ability to work to a high standard and the desire to learn.

Partnered with a local college, you will attend one week out of every 8 weeks to receive formal college education alongside the practical training within the estate – presenting the perfect opportunity to earn and learn! 

Duties:

Duties will include working alongside the Head Gardener and garden staff in the ongoing redevelopment and maintenance of the gardens.

Routine tasks may include but are not limited to:

• pruning 
• bed and border creation
• planting 
• weeding, strimming, mowing
• edging, watering and feeding 
• harvesting 
• Introduction to propagation and general nursery tasks 
• lawn and hedge maintenance

The successful candidate will join the gardens department and will report directly to the Head Gardener.

Essential Requirements:

• The ability to work as an individual and as part of a team;

• Good work ethic – reliable, trustworthy, punctual, hardworking and able to work in all types of weather;

• Able to work safely and adhere to all health and safety practices and policies.

• Be a good communicator, polite and respectful of privacy on the estate

Desirable requirements:

• Full UK driving licence (or access to regular and dependable transport) as the estate is not on regular public transport routes.

• Be available for some out-of-hours and weekend duties.

• Some previous garden/gardening experience.

Interviews will be carried out remotely or in person two weeks following the closing date. The successful candidates will likely begin their positions within early January 2022 following acceptance and approval onto the apprenticeship programme with the local college (this process will be supported).