We are seeking a skilled and experienced horticultural gardener to join Avalonian Gardens in a senior/team-leading capacity.
Strong practical horticultural knowledge is essential for this position. We receive a significant number of applications from experienced landscapers and grounds-maintenance operatives or supervisors. While these backgrounds can provide valuable practical and leadership experience, landscaping or grounds-maintenance experience alone is not sufficient for this role.
Applicants must have genuine horticultural knowledge, including good plant identification and a practical understanding of plant care, pruning, seasonal requirements, growing conditions and the long-term management of established gardens.
The successful candidate does not need to know everything, and there is scope for further professional development, but this is not an entry-level horticultural position.
Current Position and Development of the Business
Avalonian Gardens has undergone a period of restructuring following difficulties replacing experienced gardeners who have moved on. Rather than expand with unsuitable staff, operations have been scaled back and the business is currently being run primarily by the owner.
There is an established workload sufficient to support a Senior Gardener / Team Leader throughout the year, including the winter period.
Alongside this recruitment, we are working with BCA (Berkshire College of Agriculture) to recruit an apprentice through its horticultural apprenticeship programme. We are currently in discussions with candidates and hope to have an apprentice joining within the next week or two, in line with the start of the college course.
The intention is to rebuild the operational team around the owner, an experienced Senior Gardener / Team Leader and a horticultural apprentice undertaking formal training through BCA.
For the right senior gardener, this provides an opportunity to take meaningful responsibility for day-to-day operations, help develop an apprentice and play an important role in the future development of the business. As the business develops, there is scope for the role to become increasingly operational, taking greater responsibility for organising work, supervising staff and managing day-to-day delivery, thereby reducing the level of direct management involvement required from the owner.
The Role
Our work is primarily recurring horticultural maintenance of domestic and estate-style gardens of medium to large size, with our largest site covering approximately 18 acres. Most work comes directly from our established client base, alongside occasional collaboration with garden designers on soft-landscaping and garden-improvement projects.
The successful candidate should ultimately be capable of taking a Company vehicle and apprentice to a client's property, assessing and prioritising the work required, carrying it out to a high horticultural standard, supervising and developing the apprentice, and recognising when management input is required.
Horticultural Knowledge – Essential
Applicants should possess strong practical knowledge in areas including:
- Identification of plants commonly encountered in established domestic gardens
- Understanding their maintenance and seasonal requirements
- Appropriate pruning techniques and timings
- Selecting appropriate plants for different growing conditions
- Recognition of common plant-health problems, pests and diseases
- Making sound horticultural decisions independently
Please do not apply solely on the basis of landscaping, grounds-maintenance, machinery or supervisory experience if you do not possess a good working knowledge of plants and horticulture.
RHS or equivalent horticultural qualifications are welcomed, but demonstrable practical horticultural knowledge and experience are more important than qualifications alone.
Duties
- High-quality garden maintenance
- Soft landscaping and planting
- Irrigation installation, maintenance and fault-finding
- Pruning fruit trees and ornamental plants
- Treating pests, diseases and weeds
- Chainsaw work where appropriately qualified
- Servicing and maintaining tools/equipment
- Pressure washing and occasional general handyman tasks
- Administration and work planning
- Maintaining organised work vehicles
- Supervising and supporting the development of an apprentice
- Contributing to operational standards and working practices
Desired Experience / Qualifications
- Full UK driving licence
- Strong practical horticultural knowledge and experience
- RHS qualification or equivalent experience
- Team-leading experience
- PA1/PA6 desirable
- Chainsaw certification desirable
- Irrigation experience advantageous
- Tool servicing/maintenance experience advantageous
- Experience towing trailers and transporting machinery advantageous
- Experience operating larger grounds-maintenance machinery advantageous
- Strong organisational skills
- Ability to work independently and lead less-experienced staff
- Strong physical fitness and stamina
Applications should be made through Indeed. Please do not phone the Company regarding this vacancy.
Pay: £17.00-£21.00 per hour
Expected hours: 35.0 – 43.0 per week
Work Location: In person
