Gardener

Pembury Hall - Gardener Opportunity

Are you a dynamic, fun, hard-working, professional horticulturist? Then you could be the person we are looking for! We are hiring a gardener to join our team to tend the beautiful garden and grounds at Pomalo, Tunbridge Wells. We are especially looking for someone with a strong creative flair and excellent attention to detail, to work alongside the Head Gardener to ensure the grounds are maintained to a high standard and to have a hand in improving and developing the garden in exciting ways. This is a full-time post, 40 hrs / week, although part-time working may be an option.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a kind, enthusiastic and energetic gardener to join our small, friendly team.

You will be:

• A competent and creative horticulturist, with an eye for good design and a flare for styling with plants;
• Professional and conscientious, with good attention to detail and a desire to achieve high standards;
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work at pace, using your own initiative;
• Willing to work alongside the team, under the instruction of the Head Gardener.

The garden

The garden has recently undergone a major re-development, under the direction of a recognised garden designer, with work to improve the planting ongoing. The grounds consist of a 3-acre ornamental garden, ancient woodland, paddocks and ponds, totalling 28 acres. The features of the garden include a cut flower garden, glasshouse, orchard, ornamental meadows, roof gardens, mixed and shrub borders, formal and informal hedging, topiary, roses, and a fine lawn.

The role

This is a full-time gardener position, working within a team that includes the Head Gardener, two gardeners and a trainee. The hours are 0800 – 1645, Monday – Friday, including breaks. Occasional weekend or out of hours work may be requested during the growing season, to cover watering duties and other essential tasks, and to help with events. Annual leave is 21 days + bank holidays.

Day-to-day activities are varied and include all typical maintenance tasks in the garden and grounds, as well as:

• Meadow and woodland management;
• Plant propagation and aftercare;
• Cultivation of fruit, vegetables, and cut flowers;
• Creating and maintaining containerised plant displays;
• Styling outside event spaces;
• Monitoring and maintaining irrigation systems and water features;
• Animal care.

There is plenty of opportunity to be creative in this role, as beds and borders are tweaked or re-designed, in preparing for events, and with the creation of seasonal pot displays. There are many garden projects in the pipeline, including revamps of the entrance beds, kitchen courtyard and pool house roof. There are also plans to add a woodland garden and shrubbery for cutting.

Role requirements

• Trained to RHS level 2, or equivalent;
• At least one year’s professional practical experience, with a keen interest in gardens, good plant knowledge and experience in using a wide range of garden estate machinery;
• A good awareness of health and safety in the garden;
• PA1 and PA6 certification desirable, but not essential.

How to Apply

When applying, click "Apply Now" and please submit a covering letter with your CV.