Gardener in Inchture

Guardswell Farm is looking for a brilliant, imaginative and hard working sole Gardener to join our energetic and enthusiastic team. The role will be responsible for all of the managed outdoor spaces on the farm enjoyed by our guests - from the gardens of the houses, to the Steading lawns and borders, the Kailyard garden and glasshouse, strimming of paths, maintaining gravelled paths and areas, and generally keeping the place looking beautiful!

You’ll work alongside the rest of the team to ensure we always provide the best experience for our guests on the farm, as well as ensuring all spaces are safe - and highlighting any risks, as well as working in a conscientious and considerate manner towards onsite guests.

This is a sole gardener role and it needs someone with a serious dose of drive, graft and energy. The spaces are varied, and you’ve got to be the sort of person who sees what needs done, and gets straight on it (you would never walk past a weed that needed pulled), and has a keen understanding of seasons and timings within a garden (some jobs need done absolutely this week, and if missed, we’re too late).

Unlike some other “sole gardener” roles however, you’ll be part of the wider Team Guardswell, which means lunches together and generally some good work pals, which is a definite bonus.

Guardswell is a chemical free farm and site - therefore, there is no use of weedkiller. We are also careful and considerate with regards to when we strim and cut certain areas to allow them to be of the most use for the animals and bugs that call the farm home. This obviously makes path and gravel care a little more time intensive. This role really requires someone who is passionate about the environment and doing everything within their power to have a positive impact.

If qualifications are appropriate, there would also be some use of a UTV and flail mower on wider areas of the farm. Possibility of being put through training for this for the right candidate.

We are looking for someone who can help us develop and improve Guardswell’s gardens and grounds. They need to keep biodiversity and “gardening for nature” at the forefront of their minds (native planting, meadows, woodlands etc), whilst balancing that with creating visually appealing spaces for guests and visitors to enjoy, that are neat and tidy in the appropriate places.

We are looking for someone who can view the farm as a canvas upon which to paint, as well as improve for the wild flora and fauna that we share it with. Someone who can spot the little corners and see their potential. Someone who knows the value of the “wild” sitting next to the pristine. A gardener who relishes in providing surprises around every corner. There’s a lot to do, and we need someone who can spin a lot of plates and know where they are heading to next in their day, week and month.