Nursery Gardener

**Nursery Grower**

**£26,000-£28,000 per annum depending on experience plus fantastic benefits**

**Rotational weekends required**

**The Newt in Somerset**

The Newt in Somerset has ancient woodland, historic gardens and far-reaching views. It is a unique destination with Hotel, Spa, Restaurants and much more. Visitors can take a tour of the gardens, deer park and cyder press, dine in the Garden Café and visit our farm shop. We attract some 200,000 visitors per year, The Newt in Somerset is a vibrant and thriving attraction, animated throughout the seasons by special events, workshops and education programmes.

**The Gardens Team**

The Gardens Team (Nursery, Gardens & Woodlands) are dedicated to understanding, developing, curating, protecting and managing The Newts living collection of plants, in an environment where visitors are encouraged to experience and learn about plants, garden history, habitats and to enjoy the gardens.

The Nursery team provides plant production for both edible and ornamental garden use and display, with the focus on providing produce to meet the Estate Food Vision need utilising modern facilities and practises.

**Our Nursery Grower**

Our Nursery Growers are key players in our team - ensuring healthy plants are produced for our seasonal ornamental displays in the main gardens. Our growers are responsible for maintaining and developing the decorative garden areas around the nursery site and develop the outdoor growing spaces which will include stock beds for propagation.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- To maintain and develop the decorative garden areas of the nursery to a high horticultural standard, utilising best practices for weed, pest and disease control.
- Help set up new stock beds that will be used to hold plants for propagation.
- Help to maintain the nursery to a high horticultural standard for public display and cultivation of ornamental plants, integrated pest management practises.
- Assists with all aspects of nursery production throughout the year.
- Use the highest standard of horticultural techniques to establish and maintain diverse nursery operations, including routine and special projects as requested.
- Ensure public engagement that enhances the visitor experience through representing the history, value and vision of the Newt and collaborate with Candide to share the Newt narrative.
- Participate in education programs and conducts tours and workshops when required including but not limited to evenings and weekends. Actively participates in professional societies and other organisations to disseminate and share ideas and keep current on industry developments with the aim to constantly monitor and improve cultivational practises and strive for Horticultural excellence.

**Skills and Experience**
- Minimum of two years of horticultural experience in a public garden/nursery production setting.
- Certificate/Diploma and/or bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agriculture or related field with 2 to 3 years’ experience; or 4 years of horticulture experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Advanced understanding of correct horticultural practices and experience in all aspects of horticulture and garden maintenance, including but not limited to planting, weed identification and control, cultural requirements of woody and herbaceous plants as well as solid plant identification knowledge.
- Experience in a nursery environment is essential.

**Benefits**: Excellent Benefits package available from day one including:

- Exceptional working environment, fresh estate grown meal provided each day
- Employee Assistance Programme - Support 365 days a year
- 30% online shop discount and free delivery
- 30% discount in the shops across the estate
- 30% discount at restaurants across the estate
- 30% discount on Newt cyder and Babylonstoren wine
- 50% discount in the Spa
- Discounted hotel stays for staff
- Garden Membership
- Family Events 3 times per year
- Access to internal/external training qualifications and programmes
- Cross Training and career development opportunities

INDHORTICULTURE