At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a passionate team to cultivate stunning gardens and produce organic food on a beautiful estate.
- Company: Work at a private Grade-1 listed Lutyens property in Hampshire, surrounded by nature.
- Benefits: Enjoy 20 days paid holiday, bank holidays, and a competitive salary of £25,000 - £35,000.
- Why this job: Perfect for those who love gardening and want to make a real impact in a stunning environment.
- Qualifications: Must have Level 2 in Horticulture and 3 years' experience in a similar role.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with shared weekend duties and potential for night-cover duties.
The predicted salary is between 21500 - 29500 £ per year.
Passionate gardeners required to join a small team on a private estate in Hampshire
Job titles: Estate Gardener & Estate Kitchen Gardener
Location: Private residential estate near Basingstoke
Working hours: Full-time permanent positions. Monday-Friday, with weekend duties shared between all staff
Salary per role: £25,000 – £35,000 gross per annum commensurate with experience
Benefits: 20 days paid holiday + bank holidays
We are looking for two well-rounded horticulturalists with specialist interests to help further improve the grounds and gardens within a private Grade-1 listed Lutyens property
Do you have a genuine interest and enthusiasm for cultivating spectacular ornamental displays? Or are your passions more aligned with the production of high-quality organic fruit and vegetables? If either of these distinctions sound like they apply to you, then please read on.
We are seeking both a creative ornamental gardener and a meticulous kitchen gardener to join our team and help to realise the potential of the estate. The ornamental gardener will be a visually sensitive plants-person, looking to take ownership of all of our floral displays within the central areas of the property, as well as cut-flower production and orchids. The kitchen gardener will work alongside our Senior Kitchen Gardener in cultivating exceptional organic produce, and assist in the planning, maintenance and development of the walled kitchen garden.
The gardens and grounds comprise a gentle mixture of formal and informal design styles throughout and are managed in an ecologically sensitive manner. Both roles demand that candidates can comfortably take their hand to a range of horticultural disciplines, as help may be required elsewhere on the estate.
Responsibilities:
Ornamental:
- Take ownership and improve the established ornamental herbaceous displays close to the house and within the walled kitchen garden, supplemented by seasonal annual production
- Provide the house with seasonal cut-flowers generated through perennial and annual schemes via dedicated spaces within the walled kitchen garden
- Manage and maintain the permanent container displays around the property utilising at least a 3-season display turn-around
Kitchen Garden:
- Assist in the production of organic fruit, vegetables and herbs for use within the estate via open ground and glasshouse productions
- Harvest and prepare produce required by the chef and for delivery
- Assist in the planning and implementation of crop rotation, biological control schemes and maintenance of the walled kitchen garden environs
Both roles:
Aid other garden and house staff in a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:
- General help in the walled kitchen garden (such as the watering, harvesting and processing of produce)
- Occasional lawncare duties including mowing and strimming
- Keeping the wider grounds and gardens looking their best by weeding and tidying as required
- Occasional help cleaning and maintaining the swimming pool and various external artworks
Also:
- Keep clear and accurate records of all activities
- Maintaining a neat and tidy working environment
- Share in delivering a weekly harvest to the client’s property in London
- Once a sufficient time has passed, the possibility of sharing night-cover duties (paid at an additional rate)
Candidate profile:
Essential:
- At least a Level 2 in Horticulture or equivalent, with at least 3 years’ work experience in a similar role
- Strong plant knowledge and competencies in a variety of horticultural practices including propagation, glasshouses, seasonal maintenance of mixed planting schemes, species-specific pruning, and composting
- Ability to identify plant pests and diseases, and manage them in an environmentally sensitive manner
- Ability to plan production in advance, operate within a schedule, and prioritise demands – excellent time-management
- Willingness to work in all weathers, and with a flexible attitude to embrace wider-estate requirements
- Familiarity with the safe use of a range of hand tools and operation of powered machinery
- Familiarity with relevant health and safety guidelines
- Presentable in appearance at all times with excellent communication skills
- Ability to work well on your own and with others
- Reliable, organised, self-motivated and proactive
- Fit, able, and with a good, positive attitude towards work
- Confident in the use of computers for general admin. and planning
- Full valid UK drivers’ licence
Desirable:
- PA1 and PA6 spraying certificates
- Tractor and trailer certificates, or experience driving a compact tractor with front-end loader
- Operate ride-on and pedestrian lawn mowers
- Wildflower meadow maintenance
- Experience with the maintenance of irrigation systems
- Experience in swimming pool maintenance
Applications:
To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to Barry Straker – barry.straker@ntlworld.com
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Estate Gardener & Estate Kitchen Gardener employer: Professional Gardeners Guild
Contact Detail:
Professional Gardeners Guild Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Estate Gardener & Estate Kitchen Gardener
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to showcase your hands-on experience in horticulture during any informal conversations or networking events. Engaging with fellow gardeners or professionals in the field can help you gain insights and potentially get a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Visit the estate if possible, or research similar properties to understand their gardening styles and practices. This knowledge will allow you to speak confidently about how you can contribute to their specific needs during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Connect with current or former employees of the estate on platforms like LinkedIn. They can provide valuable insights into the team dynamics and what the hiring managers are really looking for in candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your passion for sustainable gardening practices. Be prepared to discuss your experience with organic gardening, pest management, and ecological methods, as these are key aspects of the roles available.
We think you need these skills to ace Estate Gardener & Estate Kitchen Gardener
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant horticultural experience, particularly in ornamental gardening and kitchen gardening. Include specific examples of your work with plants, crop production, and any special projects you've undertaken.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for gardening and how it aligns with the estate's vision. Mention your specific interests, whether in ornamental displays or organic produce, and how your skills can contribute to the team.
Showcase Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your qualifications, such as your Level 2 in Horticulture, and any additional certifications like PA1 and PA6 spraying certificates. Highlight your practical experience and familiarity with horticultural practices that are essential for the roles.
Demonstrate Teamwork and Flexibility: Emphasise your ability to work well both independently and as part of a team. Mention any past experiences where you adapted to various tasks or worked in different weather conditions, showcasing your flexibility and positive attitude.
How to prepare for a job interview at Professional Gardeners Guild
✨Show Your Passion for Horticulture
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for gardening and horticulture during the interview. Share specific examples of your experiences, whether it's cultivating ornamental displays or growing organic produce, to demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Discuss your previous work experience in horticulture, especially any roles that involved similar responsibilities. Be prepared to talk about your plant knowledge, pest management skills, and any specific horticultural practices you excel in.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork and Flexibility
Since the role requires collaboration with other staff members, emphasise your ability to work well in a team. Share examples of how you've adapted to different tasks and worked alongside others to achieve common goals in previous positions.
✨Prepare Questions About the Estate
Show your interest in the estate by preparing thoughtful questions about its gardens and grounds. Inquire about the specific challenges they face or the future plans for the property, which will demonstrate your proactive approach and genuine interest in contributing to their vision.