Gardener

Senior Gardener for Private Estate Location | Near Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX17 Salary | Up to £40,000 Overview Our client is looking for a Senior Gardener to join their small team responsible for sixteen acres of beautiful gardens and wider grounds of an organically certified, private estate in North Oxfordshire.
A recent change of ownership has brought impetus for new direction, renovation, and redesign across the estate, with new landscape designs led by a very well regarded creative and innovative studio.
It is an exciting time to join the estate at a formative stage of the gardens development.
The gardens comprise of ornamental gardens, an orchard, a productive walled garden and glasshouse, cutting gardens, gravel garden, nuttery, wildflower meadows, pond and wetland, flowering tree and shrub walk; the overall character is naturalistic alongside formal hedging, lawns and topiary providing structure.
The estate is managed according to organic principles and the existing gardeners share the owners passion for regenerative methods of managing landscape, promoting biodiversity and exploring and developing methods to garden with sensitivity to nature and the wider landscape, whilst simultaneously ensuring that the ornamental gardens are kept to the highest standard.
Job duties Responsibilities of the Senior Gardener in North Oxfordshire, include: Care for and maintain the estates sixteen acres of gardens and grounds, including ornamental gardens, an orchard, walled garden, cutting gardens, glasshouse, nuttery, wildflower meadows, ponds, wetland areas, and shrub walks Regularly perform gardening tasks such as weeding, mulching, planting, pruning, deadheading, fertilising, and watering Ensure high standards of garden aesthetics by tending to detailed border schemes, topiary, formal hedging, lawns, and other garden features Support the development and renovation of the gardens according to the new landscape designs being introduced by a creative design studio Use extensive plant knowledge to care for a wide range of plant species, particularly those in the estates ornamental and cutting gardens Apply organic and regenerative gardening methods, with an emphasis on promoting biodiversity and working sensitively with nature Maintain knowledge of seasonal gardening tasks and requirements for different plants, adjusting care methods accordingly Assist in the maintenance and care of the cutting gardens, as directed by the Head Gardener Participate in the harvesting and management of flowers for the estates cut flower business Take direction from the Head Gardener but also show initiative in managing daily horticultural activities Work in accordance with the estates organic and regenerative principles to help maintain the landscape in a way that promotes sustainability and biodiversity Ensure that organic methods are used in all aspects of gardening, such as soil management, pest control, and plant health Assist with planting schemes, seasonal changes, and managing evolving plantings in line with new designs and the broader vision for the estate Ensure that tools, equipment, and materials are maintained in good condition Keep accurate records of garden activities, plant health, and garden tasks as directed by the Head Gardener Candidates must be/have: Essential skills An excellent Gardener, with a minimum of three years in a similar level role at a Historic or Private Estate A positive team player with strong communication skills Excellent and demonstrable plant knowledge High level border work, working with attention to detail and craft in border maintenance work Excellent pruning skills competency in this area with a range of perennial plants, shrubs and climbers Demonstrable experience in the routine annual maintenance of hedges; lawns; areas of hard-landscaping; assistance with the care of the wildflower meadows Experience using power tools for garden maintenance, including hedge-trimming and strimming Experience in productive gardening: vegetable and soft fruit production A full clean UK driving licence Experience driving other ground vehicles eg.
ride-on mowers, SWB / LWB vans, manual and automatic operating systems would be beneficial Work as part of a small, close-knit team, but also demonstrate the ability to work independently and self-motivate to complete tasks to a high standard without supervision A strong interest or curiosity in cut flower cultivation is desirable, as it will play a part in the estates commercial flower-growing activities Desirable skills Experience in producing organic cut flowers, including picking and conditioning flowers (training can be given in this area) Management skills on occasion you will be required to work with freelance gardeners at busy times of the year, and in the absence of the Head Gardener you will need to be responsible for managing any freelance gardeners on site A level 3 horticultural qualification in addition to the required professional experience Accommodation No accommodation will be provided as this is a live-out position.
Hours Monday Friday, 08:00 16:30.
Flexibility will be required on occasion to support the private family, as needed.
Location Near Banbury, North Oxfordshire.
Salary Up to £40,000, depending on experience.
28 days holiday per annum including bank holidays.
Job ref CP765: Senior Gardener on a Private Estate near Banbury, North Oxfordshire.
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