Gardener

Location: Near Newbury, Berkshire.

Salary: £32,500 - £38,000.

Hours: Monday - Friday 08:00 – 16:30.

This role involves maintaining the landscape, gardens and infrastructure of the estate to an exceptional standard. The role requires a proactive, hands-on individual who takes ownership of the estate's presentation and systems, working closely with the Head Gardener and wider estate team, as well as independently where required, to deliver precise, high-quality results.

Responsibilities

• Carry out comprehensive garden maintenance including pruning, planting, weeding, and lawn care to ensure the estate grounds are kept in pristine condition.
• Operate hand tools, power tools, and irrigation systems safely and efficiently for various gardening tasks.
• Maintain and repair irrigation systems to optimise water efficiency and plant health.
• Assist with landscape projects such as planting new beds, installing features, and seasonal displays.
• Monitor plant health, identify pests or diseases, and implement appropriate treatment measures.
• Perform general estate maintenance including clearing pathways, mulching, and managing waste disposal.
• Collaborate with team members to plan seasonal garden rotations and special projects.
• Ensure safety procedures are adhered to at all times during all gardening activities.

Landscape & Garden Maintenance (approximately 20+ hours per week)

• Maintain all formal lawns to a very high standard, including double-striping weekly from March to November.
• Operate flail mower over open areas and wide paths (fortnightly, approximately 4 hours per session).
• Trim and maintain hedges throughout the estate.
• Manage outer grass areas and keep estate boundaries tidy.
• Undertake tree management work, including some felling and trimming (with appropriate certification).
• Maintain estate to a very high standard of tidiness including leaf collection, blowing, and power washing.
• Work collaboratively on landscaping projects including bulb and tree planting, reshaping grass edges, and installing underground irrigation systems.

Pool & Pond Management (approximately 1 hour daily, plus seasonal deep cleans)

• Daily tasks (season dependent) – Swimming pool: chlorine level checks, brushing steps, cleaning/changing robot bags; Natural pond: brushing steps, cleaning robot basket, checking water levels.
• Weekly tasks – Water softener salt top-up (typically Fridays), gas level checks (tanks by East Pavilion), pond filters and skimmers: regular monitoring with weekly cleaning.
• Quarterly (or more frequent) tasks – Water softener filter changes (more frequently during high-usage periods).
• Seasonal tasks – Pond deep clean (typically twice yearly): cleaning filter sponges, replacing UV bulbs, replacing pond logs and water cleanser blocks, hoovering floor and walls; Periodic pool maintenance including backwashing and system checks.

Infrastructure & Property Maintenance (approximately 10 hours per week)

• Maintain fencing to keep property secure from animals, pests, and unauthorised access.
• Undertake fence repairs and general property maintenance.
• Monitor and maintain ground wells, ensuring continuous operation (no mains water supply).
• Maintain and operate irrigation and sprinkler systems.
• Implement summer watering regimes across lawns and planting as required.
• Collect fallen branches and debris across the estate.
• Maintain paths and access routes (filling dips, adding materials as required).
• Tidy storage areas and undertake periodic deep cleaning.
• Prepare and maintain machinery for seasonal use (cleaning, sharpening, greasing – servicing carried out by external contractor).
• Meet with contractors and liaise with Estate Manager as required.
• Work as part of a small, hands-on estate team to deliver daily tasks and larger projects collaboratively.

Vineyard Support (variable hours depending on season and specialist input)

• Spray vines every 10-14 days from April to September (PA3 desirable or willingness to train).
• Maintain vineyard lawns and surrounding areas, including regular mowing during the growing season.
• Support Head Gardener with vineyard management tasks as directed.

Seasonal & Project Work

• Winter focus – Fence repairs and tree work (access permitting), Lawn renovations including scarifying and top-dressing, Bulb and tree planting, Reshaping grass edges, Installation of irrigation systems, Machinery preparation and servicing coordination, General estate improvement projects.
• Spring/Summer focus – Intensive lawn maintenance programme, Vineyard spraying schedule, Pool and pond daily maintenance regime, Hedge trimming and boundary management.

Person Specification

Essential

• Full UK driving licence.
• Strong practical experience operating tractors and garden machinery (or equivalent).
• Good communication skills and ability to liaise professionally with contractors and estate management.
• Ability to manage and plan workload independently.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Physical fitness suitable for outdoor manual work in all weathers.
• Excellent attention to detail and pride in delivering high-quality work.
• Knowledge and application of health and safety regulations.
• Basic IT and record-keeping ability.

Preferred (training can be provided for the right candidate)

• Formal gardening or horticultural training, or demonstrable hands-on experience in garden maintenance.
• PA1 & PA6 certifications (or willingness to obtain within an agreed timeframe).
• PA3 certification for vineyard spraying.
• Chainsaw safe handling certification.
• Tractor and ride-on mower competence certification.
• Pool or water system maintenance experience.
• Experience working on private estates or similar high-end environments.
• Drone operation capability (where required and appropriately licensed).

Machinery & Equipment

• Regular operation of machinery including (or equivalent): Tractors: John Deere (loader operation, trailer work, flail mowing), Vineyard tractor (spraying, vine work).
• Mowers: Iseki ride-on mower, Zero-turn mower.
• Powered Equipment: Backpack sprayers (with appropriate certification), Strimmers/trimmers, Leaf blowers, Chainsaw (certified use only), Stihl multi-tool system, General power tools.

Working Arrangements

• Contracted hours: 45 hours per week.
• Typical pattern: 8 am–4:30 pm Monday-Friday (with reasonable seasonal flexibility).
• Breaks: 2 × 30-minute breaks per day (paid).
• Probation period: 6 months.
• Cover arrangements: Duties shared within estate team, with contractor support where required.
• Emergency callouts: Occasional and infrequent.
• Seasonal variation: Workload varies across the year in line with estate needs.