At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain beautiful gardens and support trainees in horticulture.
- Company: Groundwork London, a community-focused organisation with a passion for nature.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive team, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Work in a historic garden visited by 1 million people annually.
- Why this job: Join a dedicated team making a positive impact on the community and environment.
- Qualifications: Horticulture qualification and gardening experience required.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 30000 £ per year.
Location: Chiswick House & Gardens, West London
Salary: £29,000 - £30,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Groundwork London is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all members of the community.
Are you passionate about horticulture, landscaping and would you like to support new trainees into the industry? Over the last nearly 25 years, Groundwork’s Green Teams have provided hundreds of unemployed Londoners with their first taste of work in grounds maintenance and horticulture. We are working for Chiswick House & Gardens Trust to help care for their thriving 350-year-old, 65 acre haven in the heart of Hounslow, west London. Teeming with nature, stories, and activities, the gardens are free to visit and open every day, welcoming up to 1 million visits annually. It is one of the UK’s most important landscape gardens (Grade 1 listed), it tells the story of a key moment in garden history, when William Kent and the Earl of Burlington began the English Landscape Movement.
The Groundwork team work alongside us to care for and enhance the gardens. We pool resources and try to get the best out of each other with shared aims and objectives to make things better for those that visit the gardens, and those that learn and work in them. We are proud to share this beautiful, historic environment with Groundwork.
We are seeking a Gardener to join our small team on this site delivering a range of proactive and reactive maintenance tasks, including:
- mowing of meadows, leisure & ornamental lawns
- hedgerow maintenance
- mulching & leaf clearance
You will support the Team Leader to offer our Trainees the best opportunity to develop their skills and experience to enable them to enter long term roles in horticulture. You will get the opportunity to work within a wider team of talented, ambitious and supportive gardeners who love their jobs, in a warm atmosphere where people are encouraged to feel part of something that is making a big impact on people’s lives.
Person Specification
Essential:
- A relevant horticulture and/or landscaping / management qualification such as a BTEC, NVQ or RHS (Level 2 essential, Level 3+ desirable)
- Proven experience as a gardener and the ability to demonstrate a strong track record of success
- Experience and competence in using machinery (including tractors & mowers), spraying equipment, and handheld machine garden tools
- Ability to provide support and guidance to trainees
- Ability to work to planned schedules, prioritising tasks, and providing solutions to fix issues
- Ability to follow relevant Health & Safety process and procedures
- Ability to use MS Office (Word, Excel), Internet and Email
- Ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with colleagues and partners
- Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
- A willingness to be flexible in work patterns and to fulfil occasional evening and weekend duties
- Commitment to Groundwork London’s diversity, equality and inclusion in practice in the workplace and across communities
- Full UK driving licence with the ability to be reasonably insured on our policy
Desirable:
- Hold PA1 & PA6 spraying certificates (desirable)
- An understanding of the barriers facing unemployed clients in their journey to paid employment
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Groundwork London, please do not hesitate to apply.
Closing date for applications: 10th August 2026
Gardener in London employer: Groundwork London
As a Facilities and Fleet Coordinator at our charity, you will be part of a supportive and mission-driven team dedicated to making a positive impact in the community. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional development, all within a collaborative work culture that values your contributions and encourages growth. Join us in a location that fosters a sense of purpose and belonging, where your efforts directly support our charitable goals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Gardener 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 Groundwork London.
✨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 Groundwork London.
✨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 Groundwork London; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Gardener 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 Groundwork London.
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.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Groundwork London 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 Groundwork London a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Groundwork London
✨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 Groundwork London might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
