At a Glance
- Tasks: Help maintain beautiful gardens and promote resident wellbeing through hands-on gardening activities.
- Company: Join Morden College, a historic charity dedicated to supporting older people in vibrant communities.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience in horticulture while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with a diverse team and contribute to meaningful community initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives by creating safe and appealing outdoor spaces.
- Qualifications: Must have horticulture qualifications and at least 3 years of practical experience.
The predicted salary is between 20250 - 24750 £ per year.
About us
We’re Morden College: an almshouse charity with a proud history of providing homes, support, and care for older people in south-east London for over 300 years. Today, we’re building on that legacy with a clear and ambitious strategy focused on enabling our residents to live as independently, safely, and meaningfully as possible. We aim to create thriving communities where every person feels known, valued, and supported. We provide almshouse accommodation and care services to over 250 older people across two sites in Blackheath and Beckenham, including our care home. Our vibrant and diverse resident community enjoys a wide range of events and activities, and each site offers welcoming spaces for socialising, including bars and Café 19 at the award-winning John Morden Centre. At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to dignity, purpose, and inclusion. We actively combat loneliness, challenge ageism, and promote healthy ageing. As part of the Morden College team, you’ll help foster social connection and contribute to a community where both residents and staff can thrive. We embrace equity, diversity, and technology to deliver sustainable, high-quality services that make a lasting difference.
Job Summary/Purpose:
Assisting the Gardens Manager in ensuring that Morden College gardens and grounds at Ralph Perring Court in Beckenham and when required at Blackheath are maintained as safe and appealing external spaces and to promote resident wellbeing by supporting hands-on gardening activities.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
- Mowing, using all types of mowers, including ride-on mowers.
- Edging, trimming and maintaining lawns.
- Scarifying and spiking of lawns.
- Maintenance of fine turf areas including sports areas (including croquet and putting).
- Application of lawn fertilisers, use of hosepipes and sprinklers, watering of pots and urns.
- Planting and maintaining seasonal bedding, planting and maintaining shrubs and trees, pruning of fruit trees and shrubs, propagation of hard wood cuttings and potting up.
- Rose pruning and application of rose fertilisers, removing epicormic shoots from trees.
- Leaf clearing, using leaf blowers or rakes/brooms, make and apply compost.
- Application of rock salt or other specified materials and clearing snow and ice from pathways and roadways.
- The mixing and application of chemical sprays.
- Hedge trimming using both manual and power assisted equipment, single/double digging of areas both manually and using a rotavator.
- Carrying out soft landscaping.
- Carrying out basic brick edging, laying of slabs and timber and metal edging.
- Labelling and sign writing.
- Cleaning and maintaining horticultural machinery and hand tools, tidying up Grounds Department sheds, storage and compost areas, loading and unloading of skips, containers or other delivery vehicles.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
- Essential C&G Stage 2 Amenity Horticulture or RHS Certificate Horticulture Level 2 Practical and Theory or NVQ Level 3 Amenity Horticulture
- A minimum of 3 years practical experience in horticulture
- Desirable Chain saw certificate
- Mixing and use of chemicals certificate
- Spraying certificate
- H&S certificate
- Horticulture Grounds maintenance
- Use of Machinery
- Soft landscaping
- Garden Planning
- Forward Planning skills
Gardener in London employer: Morden College
Morden College is an exceptional employer that values clarity, empathy, and impactful communication. With a strong focus on employee growth and a supportive work culture, we offer opportunities for professional development while fostering a collaborative environment. Located in a vibrant community, our team enjoys the unique advantage of contributing to meaningful change within the organisation and enhancing the lives of our residents.
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 Morden College.
✨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 Morden College.
✨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 Morden College; 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 Morden College.
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 Morden College 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 Morden College a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Morden College
✨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 Morden College might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
