At a Glance
- Tasks: Cultivate and maintain diverse outdoor gardens while inspiring positive action for the planet.
- Company: Join one of the UK's leading educational charities focused on plants and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for growth, and a chance to work with top horticulturists.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for hands-on learning and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in environmental conservation while working in stunning landscapes.
- Qualifications: Experience in horticulture and a passion for plants are essential.
The predicted salary is between 27618 - 27618 £ per year.
Full time, permanent position. Circa £27,617.85 per annum.
Do you want to be part of something amazing, and join one of the UK’s leading educational charities? A place where we are driven by a sheer love of plants, the natural world and the belief that we all can make the world a better place, and where you will be working alongside some of the best horticulturists in the country. Our mission is to demonstrate and inspire positive action for the planet.
Eden Project Cornwall is our original and flagship site, and one of the most popular attractions in the southwest of the country, attracting over 700,000 visitors each year. Over the last 25 years we have developed and created a garden of global importance and interest. This garden is home to a vast collection of incredible plants and growing environments, ranging from wild and natural landscapes, verdant rainforests, Mediterranean hillsides, North American prairies, Wild Chilean woodlands, as well as demonstrations of food production and crops from around the world.
We use our horticulture to tell stories of how people and plants are intertwined, as well as being a source of inspiration to encourage positive action for our planet. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and passionate horticulturist to join our 45-strong garden team, in the Outdoor Garden team. The Outdoor Garden Team cover all aspects of gardening, within the 30 acre outside landscape, this includes gardens of fruit and vegetable cultivation, demonstration of alternative food crops and production, plants of scientific and medical importance, a North American Prairie, South African veld, Wild Cornish landscapes and planting for a sustainable future to name but a few.
As a horticulturist you will be responsible for the care, cultivation and maintenance of designated areas of the garden. You will be helping to drive forward enhancements across the garden to make it a treasure trove of plantsmanship and creative gardening. We are looking for an individual who possesses a good general knowledge of horticultural practice or relevant specialism and the ability to work effectively as part of a team. But most importantly an individual with a love of horticulture and plants.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 22 November 2026.
Job Family Definition
Roles within Horticulture (Cultivation, Education and Landscape) job family are dedicated to understanding, developing, designing, protecting, sharing, teaching and managing Eden's living collection of plants, in a landscape environment where visitors and students are encouraged to experience and learn about plants, habitats and eco-systems and their importance in providing a sustainable future.
Role Purpose
Implements the effective propagation, cultivation, maintenance of plants, landscapes and ecosystems within Eden, protecting, enhancing and sustaining Eden’s living theatre as a leading green destination. Developing and implementing planting and landscape schemes as directed by the management to the highest possible level.
Key accountabilities
- Maintains the living landscape exhibits and living landscapes.
- Securing Eden’s long and short-term horticultural and landscape planning to be implemented in time and with quality expected considering the environmental strategy, ethical values and educational aspirations of Eden.
- Implements maintenance programmes, ensuring appropriate soil preparation, cultivation, propagation, irrigation, amelioration and pest control activities to the required standards in terms of timescales, quality and budget.
- Monitors, evaluates and gives feedback to the management for improvement of quality, efficiency and experience.
- Ensuring all activities are carried out with adequate training and instruction in compliance with company policy and Health & Safety regulations.
- Determines the requirements for supplies and equipment.
- Actively engages and interacts with external professionals, visitors and colleagues, providing practical guidance and imparting field knowledge to promote and enhance Eden’s reputation as a leading attraction in the area of agronomy, landscape design, green tourism and ethnobotany.
- Actively promotes the work of horticulture within other areas of the organisation, thereby developing and maintaining the culture of collaboration and co-operation across all departments and functions.
- Imparts specialist knowledge and skills to ensure the successful delivery of Eden’s programmes.
Demands of the Role
Education & qualifications
Preferred level of education: RHS Level 3 with some special area of interest.
Knowledge & skills
Minimum of 3 years’ experience within the field of horticulture and/or landscape. An accomplished and knowledgeable practitioner within the subject field with practical and professional expertise developed within horticulture and landscape preferably with an identified specialised skill. The job holder must possess a willingness to excel and eagerness to learn and develop within the field.
Decision-making
Ability to work alone as well in small teams and make balanced practical decisions on plans and priorities.
Resourcefulness
Collaborates with colleagues and other staff to devise innovative and practical ways to improve planting schemes, habitats, landscaping and foremost knowledge transfer. The job holder will be required to be flexible and use creative thinking to resolve unusual practical challenges or situations.
People & asset management
Implements projects by example within a small dedicated and knowledgeable horticultural/landscaping team, students and designated volunteers and providing on-the-job training to students as required. A shared responsibility for the health, integrity, maintenance and presentation of Eden’s living collection; Identify procurement requirements as well as sourcing and ordering for approval by budget holders.
Communication & visitor experience
Effective oral and written communication skills are important for this role which requires the job holder to engage and interact with a variety of visitors, colleagues and students in various situations requiring the use of a range of techniques and approaches. Visitor engagement includes some media writing, public walk/talks, and alike.
Operational environment
The role regularly requires physical effort and prolonged working on slopes within a variety of demanding and at times harsh climatic environments.
Character
The job requires a decisive practical orientated, flexible, communicative person with a social creative personality who cares about the world we live in and understand and agrees to the Eden mission. Someone with a positive responsible outlook wishing to make a difference in this world.
Additional features
The job holder is required to continuously develop their technical expertise and skills while keeping abreast of current Health & Safety regulations. The job holder may be required to travel nationally and internationally to work on specific assignments or projects.
Outdoor Gardens - Horticulture Technician in London employer: Eden Project
Eden Project is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where creativity and passion for fresh produce thrive. With flexible shifts, opportunities for personal growth, and unique perks like free entry for family and friends, you will be part of a dedicated team that celebrates culinary excellence in a dynamic environment. Join us in making memorable experiences during our exciting events, including the 25th Birthday celebrations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Outdoor Gardens - Horticulture Technician in London
✨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 Eden Project.
✨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 Eden Project.
✨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 Eden Project; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Outdoor Gardens - Horticulture Technician in London
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 Eden Project.
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 Outdoor Gardens - Horticulture Technician.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Eden Project 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 Eden Project a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Eden Project
✨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 Eden Project might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
