Sole / Head Gardener with assistance.

An exciting opportunity for a gardener to work and live at a small private estate in Hampshire near Basingstoke.  The gardens comprise of formal lawns, herbaceous borders, a walled garden (including vegetables and cut flowers), an orchard, greenhouse and polytunnel, woodlands, wildflower meadow and grazed parkland.

The role will include a wide range of tasks including:

• Managing a small team
• Supervising contractors when on site
• Liaising with the shepherd regarding grazing and parkland management
• Working closely with the owner and garden designer
• Propagation of all vegetables and cut flowers grown for the house
• General maintenance of lawns, hedges, shrubs and borders including weeding, mulching and leaf picking
• Maintenance of the compost bays
• Management of the wildflower meadow, woodland and newly planted hazel coppice
• Rose and fruit tree pruning

Candidates should have:

• Minimum 4 years experience in a gardening position or similar
• Qualifications are helpful
• Competency in the use of garden machinery including tractors with a front loader, trailer and rear mounted flail cutter.  Sit on mowers, strimmers and hedge cutters.
• Chainsaw licence and spraying certificate would be a bonus
• Full UK driving licence
• Applicants must have good all round gardening skills and plant knowledge, be physically fit and prepared to work in all weathers.  Work is varied so flexibility is required.

Accommodation:

A cottage is provided as part of the package.  Candidate must be prepared to live in full-time. 

Salary: 

Depending on experience.  We will consider a range of applicants from highly experienced to enthusiastic gardener who would grow into the position.