LEEDS CASTLE
JOB DESCRIPTION
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JOB TITLE: Gardener
REPORTS TO: Gardens and Grounds Manager
DEPARTMENT: Gardens and Grounds
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LOCATION Leeds Castle is a stunning, 900-year-old moated castle, set in 500 acres of Grade II listed parkland, situated in the beautiful Kent countryside. The Castle has been open to the public through the Leeds Castle Foundation since 1974 and continues her story as a glamorous retreat and popular visitor attraction.
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PURPOSE To maintain the Gardens to a high Standard.
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KEY TASKS
* Maintenance of the decorative borders and Garden areas.
* Supervise volunteers
* Care for plants within gardens and greenhouse
* Maintain good housekeeping in the areas in which gardeners work.
* Seasonal Gardening Tasks.
* Summer watering is a requirement that gardeners will take in turns from May to September and may take course during the weekend which time in lieu is given.
* Gardeners may be required to care for our propagation and standing out area alongside other duties.
* On occasions gardeners will be required to work alongside the Parkland and Grounds Team, other Leeds Castle departments and external contractors.
* Some weekend work may be required during busy periods.
* Gardeners are required to work outside in all weathers and seasons.
* Gardeners are required to keep and maintain good records.
* Work with a team and supervise assistant gardeners, volunteers and those on work experience.
* To care for gardening equipment and maintain it where needed.
* Clean and Care for areas such as workshops and behind the scenes areas.
* Are required to use garden machinery such as hedge cutters, lawn mowers, chippers, leaf blowers and strimmers.
* May be required to work on the edge of water or in ponds, lakes and streams to maintain plantings in and around water.
* Label Plants and mark out areas of new plantings
* Correctly separate compostable and non-compostable material before sending plant waste to the compost.
* Treat plant health problems where needed.
CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES
* Excellent organisation, communication and team building skills.
* Follow Company regulations in Health & Safety and maintain a safe working environment.
* To ensure personal standards of presentation, performance and attendance beyond reproach at all times.
* To ensure that high horticultural standards are maintained within the Gardens.
* Planting, watering, fertilising, and pruning plants to promote healthy growth
* Using hand tools such as secateurs, spades, and rakes for various gardening tasks
* Operating power tools including lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, and leaf blowers safely and efficiently
* Installing and maintaining irrigation systems to ensure proper watering of plants
* Conducting landscape maintenance activities such as mowing lawns, edging beds, and clearing debris
* Monitoring plant health and identifying pests or diseases for appropriate treatment
* Assisting with seasonal planting schemes and garden redesigns as required
* Ensuring all gardening equipment is maintained in good working order and stored properly
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE required
* At least one year's professional experience and a full RHS Level 2 qualification or equivalent.
* Knowledge of plant pests and disease and good plant knowledge of a diverse range of plant types including perennials, shrubs and trees.
* A good knowledge of weed identification is a must.
* Previous experience with tasks such as formative pruning, restorative pruning, hedge cutting, lawn mowing, leaf blowing, planting, border preparations, training of plants such as roses and climbers along with border restoration.
* Ability to work with a team and supervise assistant gardeners, volunteers.
* Good interpersonal skills.
* Ability to problem solve and come up with solutions within the gardens.
* UK Driving Licence
In addition to your main areas of responsibility, the values and behaviours that are required from all our people for the successful delivery of our vision and strategy are summarised below:
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £26,286.00 per year
Benefits:
* Bereavement leave
* Company pension
* Discounted or free food
* Employee discount
* Health & wellbeing programme
* Life insurance
* On-site parking
* Sick pay
* Store discount
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 06/03/2026