Head Gardener – Private Estate in Southampton

My trusted client urgently requires an experienced, personable and reliable Head Gardener ideally with excellent DIY and maintenance skills to come on board to support and maintain a beautiful private estate of around 20 acres in the suburbs of Romsey, Hampshire.

The estate consists of a 6-bedroom home, situated with 18 acres of stunning woodland, formal and informal gardens and paddocks with domestic livestock including horses and ponies. It is of paramount importance for the successful candidate to have an abundance of gardening and DIY skills, be a self-starter and always be able to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Trustworthiness, reliability, resilience, integrity and common sense are essential in this position.

This will be a varied role and include property and grounds maintenance, some horticulture, agriculture, and woodland work. It is hoped that applicants possess the vast majority of the skills we are looking for but full training will be provided on some aspects of the role if required.

• General maintenance of gardens, fencing, woodland, small lake and the main residence and small buildings within the grounds to a high standard.
• Maintenance around the grounds and property (trades experience a clear advantage but not totally essential)
• Maintenance of garden and plant machinery
• Maintenance of swimming pool and other leisure facilities
• Renewable energy heating – Biomass and Log burner (training can be given)
• Jet washing buildings
• Weeding, Seeding and Spraying of Gardens
• Mole and Rabbit trapping
• Plant, Shrub and Hedge-trimming
• Ditch maintenance
• Pond cleaning and de-weeding
• Prepare kindling for fires & log burners
• Drainage & guttering maintenance
• Lawn mowing & edging
• Leaf and branch removal and strimming of long grass
• Moss and weed control inc Ivy and Honeysuckle
• Path repairs
• Fence repairs
• Ensure Tennis courts are clean and usable.
• Assisting contractors and suppliers
• Occasional driving for the family and care of vehicles

• Proven experience within a similar role in the past
• Ability to deal with basic electrical or plumbing related tasks.
• Experience with tractors, plant and garden machinery and tooling (ideally alongside relevant qualifications)
• Full UK Driving Licence (including towing)
• Can do attitude with an ability to problem solve and turn their hand to most types of DIY and maintenance focused tasks.
• Proficient in the use of ride on and pedestrian mowers.
• Proficient in the use of hedge cutters, grass strimmers and all other tools for performing grass cutting and pruning.
• Good horticultural knowledge. Understanding the care requirements of various plants and trees throughout the seasons.
• Good organisational skills. Planning, organising and prioritising tasks to deadlines according to the seasons.
• Knowledge of irrigation using sprinklers and drip/soaker hoses to the requirements of the plants and their environment.
• Ability to maintain and repair fences, gates and garden structures.
• The understanding and management of ponds, fountains and water features.
• Knowledge and ability to control weeds in lawns, beds, gravel paths and other hard surfaces.
• Chemical spraying certificate PA1 and PA6.
• Strong work ethic and attention to detail.

My client offers a competitive salary and benefits alongside a superb working environment within a friendly and supportive team. The position is ideally of a full time and permanent nature but all candidates that possess the right skills and attitude will be considered, including experienced operatives who may be looking for slightly reduced hours.