Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced hands-on Head Gardener in a beautifully structured yet naturalistic private garden in East Somerset. The Head Gardener will be supported by one other gardener onsite.
The 20-acre gardens consist of a walled garden containing a fruit, vegetable and cut flower garden and a glasshouse. In addition, there are various garden meadows, orchards, water and herbaceous plantings, raised beds, roses and climber, mature trees, and a polytunnel. Significant proportions of the estate have been redesigned by a prominent garden designer.
The successful candidate will be responsible for about 4 acres of garden and be responsible for the daily care and presentation of the estate grounds with a focus on maintaining and developing flower beds, raised beds, lawns, shrubs, and ornamental planting to the highest standard, ensuring the gardens look immaculate in every season. The Head Gardener will work to deliver seasonal planting schemes, prepare the grounds for changes throughout the year, and ensure all areas are neat, vibrant, and healthy. The gardens are managed using organic principles therefore an understanding of plant pests and diseases, and associated bio-control use would be desirable.
Responsibilities
* Prepare the grounds for seasonal changes—soil improvement and early planting in spring; irrigation, feeding, and pest control during summer; leaf clearance, lawn treatment, and bulb planting in autumn; and frost protection, structural pruning, and planning in winter.
* Ongoing monitoring of plant health.
* Maintain lawns to a high standard through mowing, feeding, scarifying, and aeration.
* Ensure garden structures such as paths, borders, and raised beds remain tidy, safe, and well-maintained.
Collaboration and activities
* Work alongside the Estate Manager, with the freedom to apply horticultural knowledge while aligning with the garden designer’s direction to create beautiful, well-structured outdoor spaces.
* Liaise regularly with the Estate Manager on garden planning, priorities, and special projects, and may support floral decorations within the family house.
Requirements
* Demonstrable gardening or horticultural experience, ideally on private estates or large gardens.
* A horticultural qualification (e.g., RHS Level 2 or equivalent) is desirable.
* Responsible for safe operation, maintenance, and proper storage of tools and machinery, ensuring equipment remains in good working condition.
* Proactive approach to sustainability and adherence to safe working practices and Health and Safety policies.
* Compliance with all policies and procedures in the employee handbook.
Living arrangements
* Accommodation of 2 or 3 bedrooms is provided for the successful applicant.
* Partners and children are welcome.
* The property is in a rural location and a full driving licence is required as a small van is provided for work purposes.
Working hours and benefits
The working hours are 8 am to 4.30 pm and holiday allowance is 20 days plus bank holidays.
Additional information
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Gardener looking for a rewarding long-term role maintaining and further developing a stunning private garden. This role requires the utmost confidentiality, discretion and professionalism at all times, with full respect for the privacy of the owners, their family, and guests. Satisfactory references and a DBS check will be required at offer stage.
Salary: £35-40k depending on experience
Location: East Somerset
Job No: EC69805
If this vacancy is of interest, please apply by contacting the provided details: Sara Yassin at 01233 733510 or email information at englishcountrygardeners dot co dot uk. Applications require Candidate Registration and privacy information will be used as described in the policy.
Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Head Gardener vacancy. Due to high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to every applicant. If you do not hear within 14 days, your application is unlikely to be successful.
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