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- Tasks: Manage and maintain stunning gardens while leading exciting redesign projects.
- Company: Prestigious country estate in the beautiful Berkshire countryside.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, creative freedom, and a chance to work on unique gardening projects.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make your mark on a historic estate and nurture your passion for horticulture.
- Qualifications: Experience in gardening, creativity, and a proactive attitude are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
An excellent opportunity has become available to join a stunning and prestigious traditional country family estate with an historic manor house, set in the heart of the Berkshire countryside near Newbury. We are looking for someone who is hands-on, creative, enthusiastic and confident to take overall responsibility for managing and maintaining the gardens and grounds to the highest standards. The successful candidate will be able to project manage, work independently and bring a proactive, self-motivated approach to everything they do. A willingness to assist a small team and the family when needed is important, and flexibility is key to this role. The main garden is currently being redesigned and new garden areas are soon to be developed across the estate — we want the new Head Gardener to be closely involved with these exciting projects from the outset. There are also several other properties on the estate with their own gardens that will require ongoing care and attention.
The Role
- Full care and maintenance of flowers, shrubs, trees, lawns, hedges, rose gardens and borders
- Planting, transplanting, fertilising, pruning, spraying, weeding, watering and managing pests and diseases
- Implementing and maintaining detailed landscape and seasonal planting plans
- Maintenance of garden structures, equipment and supplies, including the safe use of all machinery
- General groundskeeping: mowing, mulching, strimming, raking and upkeep of paths and driveways
- Greenhouse management including propagation of flowers, fruit and vegetables
- Care and management of the fruit orchard
- Swimming pool and tennis court maintenance
- Caring for the estate chickens and occasionally family pets
- Supporting ad hoc estate project work as required
- Liaising closely with the Estate Manager and the principals to deliver the owner’s vision for the garden
What We Are Looking For
- Solid, demonstrable experience in a similar Head Gardener or senior gardening role
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
- Proactive and self-motivated, with the confidence to manage your own workload
- A creative eye and genuine passion for horticulture and garden design
- PA1/PA6 spraying certificates are desirable
- Good knowledge of trees and woodland management is a bonus
- A flexible and proactive attitude, willing to assist the team and the family when required
- A full, clean driving licence is essential
Further information and applications:
- Start Date: As and when the right person is found
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week
- Flexibility: Some weekend availability may be required
- Driving: A full driving licence is essential
- Location: Near Newbury, Berkshire
This is a wonderful opportunity for a passionate and skilled gardener to make their mark on a truly special estate. To apply or for further information, please contact us via the link below.
Head Gardener employer: Professional Gardeners Guild
Contact Detail:
Professional Gardeners Guild Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Gardener
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty! If you can, visit the estate or similar gardens to show your passion for horticulture. Bring along some ideas for the redesign and demonstrate your creative flair.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with other gardeners and professionals in the industry. Attend local gardening events or workshops to meet people who might know about opportunities or can give you a leg up.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your previous work, including photos of gardens you've designed or maintained. This will help us see your experience and creativity in action.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Make sure to highlight your proactive attitude and flexibility, as these are key traits we’re looking for.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Gardener
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gardening: When writing your application, let your love for horticulture shine through! Share specific examples of your gardening experiences and how they relate to the role. We want to see your enthusiasm for creating beautiful spaces.
Be Detailed and Organised: Since attention to detail is key for this position, make sure your application reflects that. Use clear headings, bullet points, and concise language to showcase your skills and experience. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Highlight Your Project Management Skills: As the Head Gardener, you'll be managing various projects. In your application, mention any relevant experience you have in project management, especially in gardening or landscaping. We’re looking for someone who can take charge and lead with confidence.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get back to you quickly. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Professional Gardeners Guild
✨Know Your Plants
Brush up on your horticultural knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific plants, their care, and how you would approach maintaining the estate's gardens. Showing that you have a solid understanding of plant management will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to share your ideas for the redesign of the main garden and any new areas. Bring along a portfolio or examples of past projects you've worked on. This will demonstrate your creative eye and passion for garden design, which is crucial for this role.
✨Demonstrate Your Proactivity
Think of examples where you've taken initiative in previous roles. Whether it was implementing a new planting plan or managing a team, be ready to discuss how you can bring that proactive attitude to the estate. This will show that you're not just a hands-on gardener but also a leader.
✨Be Flexible and Team-Oriented
Since the role requires assisting the family and the team, prepare to talk about your experiences working collaboratively. Highlight times when you've adapted to changing circumstances or supported others in achieving a common goal. This will underline your willingness to be a team player.