At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain stunning gardens and contribute to the estate's horticultural vision.
- Company: Join a friendly team on a beautiful private country estate in Leicestershire.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday package, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Full-time role with a supportive team and varied tasks throughout the year.
- Why this job: Work outdoors, develop your gardening skills, and make a real impact on biodiversity.
- Qualifications: Experience in gardening and a passion for horticulture are essential.
The predicted salary is between 26509 - 30000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a skilled and dedicated Gardener to join a small, friendly team on a private country estate in rural Leicestershire. This full-time position offers the chance to work across both established and newly designed formal and informal gardens, maintaining them to the highest standards throughout the year while contributing to the ongoing development and vision of the estate.
The estate’s four-acre gardens are a beautiful blend of formal areas and topiary, including a productive kitchen garden, a pool garden, newly planted borders and established historic gardens. The gardens form part of a larger estate that combines natural beauty with thoughtful horticultural design, with a particular focus on expanding into more natural areas which will include a wildflower meadow and woodland style gardens to enhance biodiversity on the wider estate.
The successful candidate will report to the Head Gardener and work alongside two other gardeners, forming a close-knit, supportive team. The role offers a wide variety of hands-on tasks throughout the year, including weeding, pruning, mulching, mowing, edging, topiary clipping, planting and growing fruit and vegetables to provide the house all year.
This role would suit an experienced estate gardener or a grounds person who would like to further expand on their horticultural knowledge. Experience operating horticultural machinery is highly desirable, including mowers, strimmers and hedge trimmers to help maintain the gardens and grounds to an exceptional standard. A PA1/PA6 spraying, telehandler, and CS30/31 chainsaw certifications would be advantageous, though training can be provided.
The role also involves occasional support with wider estate duties, offering variety and the chance to be involved in the broader running of the estate. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in private estates or large garden and landscape settings. An RHS Level 2 qualification with good horticultural knowledge is desirable but not essential.
Applicants should be physically fit, enjoy working outdoors in all weather conditions, and hold a full UK driving licence with access to their own transport due to the rural location. This is a full-time, permanent position, working Monday to Friday, with summer hours of 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and winter hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The role offers a generous holiday package of 33 days, including bank holidays.
SALARY: £30,000 CIRCA
LOCATION: Leicester
Gardener Live Out – Leicester employer: ECG Limited
ECG Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in a stunning private estate in North London. With a focus on employee growth and a supportive work culture, you will enjoy the independence of managing diverse gardens while collaborating with experienced professionals. The part-time role not only allows for a fulfilling work-life balance but also provides a chance to develop your skills in a picturesque environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Gardener Live Out – Leicester
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like ECG Limited.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like ECG Limited.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at ECG Limited; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Gardener Live Out – Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at ECG Limited.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Gardener Live Out – Leicester.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what ECG Limited is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at ECG Limited a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at ECG Limited
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at ECG Limited might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.