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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a small team to maintain 16 acres of stunning gardens and grounds.
- Company: Work at a private estate in North Oxfordshire, focused on organic gardening and biodiversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary up to £40,000 and 28 days of holiday per year.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting transformation of the estate's gardens with creative landscape designs.
- Qualifications: Must have 3+ years of gardening experience and excellent plant knowledge.
- Other info: This is a live-out position with Monday to Friday hours, flexibility required.
Senior GardenerOverview
Our client is looking for a Senior Gardener to join their small team responsible for sixteen acres of beautiful gardens and wider grounds of an organically certified, private estate in North Oxfordshire.
Are you ready to apply Make sure you understand all the responsibilities and tasks associated with this role before proceeding.
A recent change of ownership has brought impetus for new direction, renovation, and redesign across the estate, with new landscape designs led by a very well regarded creative and innovative studio. It is an exciting time to join the estate at a formative stage of the gardens development.
The gardens comprise of ornamental gardens, an orchard, a productive walled garden and glasshouse, cutting gardens, gravel garden, nuttery, wildflower meadows, pond and wetland, flowering tree and shrub walk; the overall character is naturalistic alongside formal hedging, lawns and topiary providing structure.
The estate is managed according to organic principles and the existing gardeners share the owners passion for regenerative methods of managing landscape, promoting biodiversity and exploring and developing methods to garden with sensitivity to nature and the wider landscape, whilst simultaneously ensuring that the ornamental gardens are kept to the highest standard.
Job duties
Responsibilities of the Senior Gardener in North Oxfordshire, include:
- Care for and maintain the estates sixteen acres of gardens and grounds, including ornamental gardens, an orchard, walled garden, cutting gardens, glasshouse, nuttery, wildflower meadows, ponds, wetland areas, and shrub walks
- Regularly perform gardening tasks such as weeding, mulching, planting, pruning, deadheading, fertilising, and watering
- Ensure high standards of garden aesthetics by tending to detailed border schemes, topiary, formal hedging, lawns, and other garden features
- Support the development and renovation of the gardens according to the new landscape designs being introduced by a creative design studio
- Use extensive plant knowledge to care for a wide range of plant species, particularly those in the estates ornamental and cutting gardens
- Apply organic and regenerative gardening methods, with an emphasis on promoting biodiversity and working sensitively with nature
- Maintain knowledge of seasonal gardening tasks and requirements for different plants, adjusting care methods accordingly
- Assist in the maintenance and care of the cutting gardens, as directed by the Head Gardener
- Participate in the harvesting and management of flowers for the estates cut flower business
- Take direction from the Head Gardener but also show initiative in managing daily horticultural activities
- Work in accordance with the estates organic and regenerative principles to help maintain the landscape in a way that promotes sustainability and biodiversity
- Ensure that organic methods are used in all aspects of gardening, such as soil management, pest control, and plant health
- Assist with planting schemes, seasonal changes, and managing evolving plantings in line with new designs and the broader vision for the estate
- Ensure that tools, equipment, and materials are maintained in good condition
- Keep accurate records of garden activities, plant health, and garden tasks as directed by the Head Gardener
Candidates must be/have:
Essential skills
- An excellent Gardener, with a minimum of three years in a similar level role at a Historic or Private Estate
- A positive team player with strong communication skills
- Excellent and demonstrable plant knowledge
- High level border work, working with attention to detail and craft in border maintenance work
- Excellent pruning skills competency in this area with a range of perennial plants, shrubs and climbers
- Demonstrable experience in the routine annual maintenance of hedges; lawns; areas of hard-landscaping; assistance with the care of the wildflower meadows
- Experience using power tools for garden maintenance, including hedge-trimming and strimming
- Experience in productive gardening: vegetable and soft fruit production
- A full clean UK driving licence
- Experience driving other ground vehicles eg. ride-on mowers, SWB / LWB vans, manual and automatic operating systems would be beneficial
- Work as part of a small, close-knit team, but also demonstrate the ability to work independently and self-motivate to complete tasks to a high standard without supervision
- A strong interest or curiosity in cut flower cultivation is desirable, as it will play a part in the estates commercial flower-growing activities
Desirable skills
- Experience in producing organic cut flowers, including picking and conditioning flowers (training can be given in this area)
- Management skills on occasion you will be required to work with freelance gardeners at busy times of the year, and in the absence of the Head Gardener you will need to be responsible for managing any freelance gardeners on site
- A level 3 horticultural qualification in addition to the required professional experience
Accommodation
No accommodation will be provided as this is a live-out position.
Hours
Monday Friday, 08:00 16:30.
Flexibility will be required on occasion to support the private family, as needed.
Location
Near Banbury, North Oxfordshire.
Salary
Up to £40,000, depending on experience.
28 days holiday per annum including bank holidays.
Job ref
CP806: Senior Gardener on a Private Estate near Banbury, North Oxfordshire.
AMRT1_UKCT
Senior Gardener employer: Cora Partners
Contact Detail:
Cora Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Gardener
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with organic and regenerative gardening methods, as these are crucial for the role. Research best practices in promoting biodiversity and sustainable gardening to demonstrate your commitment to the estate's principles.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your plant knowledge by being prepared to discuss specific plants and their care during the interview. Highlight any experience you have with ornamental and cutting gardens, as this aligns closely with the estate's needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Emphasize your teamwork skills and ability to work independently. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in previous roles, as well as instances where you've taken initiative.
✨Tip Number 4
If you have experience with cut flower cultivation, make sure to mention it! This is a desirable skill for the position, and showing enthusiasm for this aspect of the job can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Gardener
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to emphasize your gardening experience, especially in roles similar to the Senior Gardener position. Detail your work with ornamental gardens, organic methods, and any specific projects that showcase your skills.
Showcase Plant Knowledge: Demonstrate your extensive plant knowledge in your application. Mention specific plant species you have worked with and how you have applied organic and regenerative gardening methods in your previous roles.
Communicate Teamwork Skills: Since this role requires working as part of a small team, highlight your teamwork and communication skills. Provide examples of how you've collaborated with others in past gardening positions.
Express Passion for Sustainability: Convey your passion for sustainable gardening practices and biodiversity. Discuss any initiatives or methods you have implemented in your previous roles that align with the estate's organic principles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cora Partners
✨Show Your Passion for Gardening
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for gardening and organic practices during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've implemented regenerative methods in your previous roles, as this aligns with the estate's values.
✨Demonstrate Your Plant Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss a variety of plant species and their care requirements. Highlight your experience with ornamental and cutting gardens, and be ready to answer questions about seasonal gardening tasks and techniques.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Independence
Since the role requires both teamwork and the ability to work independently, share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others while also taking initiative on your own projects. This will show that you can thrive in their close-knit team environment.
✨Discuss Your Experience with Tools and Equipment
Talk about your proficiency with power tools and garden maintenance equipment. Mention any specific experiences you have with hedge-trimming, strimming, or driving ground vehicles, as these skills are essential for the role.
