Gardener jobs in Abingdon

Qualified Gardener / Horticulturist

Place of Work

Orchard Therapeutic Farm and other Orchard Group sites as required

Hours of Work

22.5 hours per week
3 days per week, 7.5 hours per day
52 weeks per year

Salary

£28,000–£30,000 per annum (depending on qualifications and experience)

Contract

Part-time, Permanent

Reports to

Operations Manager / Directors

DBS Requirement

Enhanced DBS with Children’s Barred List Check

Who We Are

Orchard Therapeutic Children's Services is an award-winning Education and care Provision providing therapeutic education and vocational opportunities for young people aged 6–18 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Autism, ADHD, anxiety, trauma and other additional needs.

Our farm-based approach enables young people to reconnect with learning through meaningful experiences, practical activities, relationships and therapeutic support.

We believe education should prepare young people not only for qualifications, but for life.

Our gardens and growing spaces are an important part of the Orchard environment. As the Farm continues to develop, we are looking for an experienced and qualified Gardener / Horticulturist who can take professional responsibility for our gardens, productive growing areas and horticultural development.

This is not simply a grounds-maintenance position. We are looking for someone with genuine horticultural knowledge and practical experience who understands plants, trees, roses, flowers, herbs, vegetables, soil, propagation, aquaponics and seasonal growing.

Purpose of the Role

The Qualified Gardener / Horticulturist will be responsible for the development, planting, cultivation and ongoing care of the gardens and horticultural areas across Orchard Therapeutic Farm.

You will help us create beautiful, productive and sustainable gardens that contribute to the wider life of the Farm.

A key part of the role will be developing our farm-to-table approach, growing seasonal vegetables, herbs, fruit, edible flowers and other produce for use within our on-site restaurant and kitchen.

You will take responsibility for our rose garden, ornamental planting, productive growing areas, trees and seasonal displays, ensuring that our gardens are professionally maintained and continue to develop throughout the year.

As Orchard is both an educational environment and a working farm that welcomes visitors, the post holder will also have opportunities to share their horticultural expertise with our young people and members of the public.

This may include practical demonstrations, workshops, seasonal activities and educational sessions covering subjects such as planting, propagation, vegetable growing, herbs, flowers, sustainability, biodiversity and understanding where our food comes from.

This is a practical, hands-on position. We are looking for someone who can plan ahead, understand what needs doing throughout the horticultural year and take ownership of the gardens rather than simply waiting for instructions.

Main Duties and ResponsibilitiesHorticulture and Garden Management

• Take day-to-day responsibility for the horticultural areas across Orchard Therapeutic Farm.
• Plan and undertake seasonal horticultural work.
• Maintain existing gardens to a high professional standard.
• Develop new planting schemes and growing areas.
• Select plants appropriate to soil, aspect, location and purpose.
• Prepare beds and growing areas.
• Plant and establish trees, shrubs, roses, perennials, annuals and bulbs.
• Undertake appropriate pruning and plant maintenance.
• Maintain borders and planted areas throughout the seasons.
• Undertake propagation where appropriate.
• Identify and manage common pests, diseases and plant-health problems.
• Monitor plant health and take appropriate action.
• Improve soil structure, fertility and condition.
• Undertake mulching, feeding, composting and soil improvement.
• Manage watering requirements and irrigation where appropriate.
• Maintain high standards of presentation throughout the gardens.
• Develop environmentally responsible and sustainable horticultural practices.

Kitchen Garden and Food Growing

Develop and maintain productive growing areas supplying produce for our on-site restaurant and kitchen.

Responsibilities will include:

• Plan an annual fruit, vegetable and herb growing programme.
• Develop a seasonal planting and harvesting calendar.
• Grow a broad range of seasonal vegetables.
• Grow culinary herbs for use within the restaurant.
• Grow salad leaves and specialist crops.
• Grow edible flowers where appropriate.
• Develop fruit-growing opportunities.
• Select varieties based on flavour, quality, productivity and suitability for the site.
• Sow and propagate plants.
• Plan successive sowing to provide produce over an extended season.
• Maintain healthy and productive crops.
• Harvest produce at the appropriate time.
• Liaise with the restaurant and kitchen team regarding seasonal produce and requirements.
• Plan growing around menus where reasonably practical.
• Minimise waste and maximise the use of produce grown on the Farm.

Our ambition is for guests eating in our restaurant to increasingly enjoy produce that has been grown here at Orchard.

Flowers and Seasonal Displays

• Develop areas for growing flowers for cutting.
• Grow seasonal flowers for use within the on-site restaurant.
• Produce flowers and foliage for Orchard buildings, events and displays.
• Plan sowing and planting to provide flowers throughout the longest practical season.
• Select appropriate annuals, perennials and bulbs.
• Maintain productive flower beds.
• Harvest flowers appropriately to maximise quality and vase life.
• Develop attractive seasonal displays throughout the Farm.
• Create planting that provides colour, interest and character throughout the year.

Rose Garden

Take particular responsibility for the care and development of Orchard's established rose garden.

Responsibilities will include:

• Seasonal rose pruning.
• Feeding and mulching.
• Deadheading.
• Training and supporting roses.
• Identifying and managing pests and diseases.
• Maintaining beds and surrounding planting.
• Introducing companion planting where beneficial.
• Replacing unsuccessful or unsuitable plants.
• Recommend and introduce new rose varieties where appropriate.
• Ensure the rose garden provides an exceptional seasonal display.
• Develop the rose garden over time while maintaining its character.

Trees, Orchard and Fruit

• Plant and correctly establish new trees.
• Select appropriate trees for different areas of the Farm.
• Undertake appropriate staking, tying, watering and formative care.
• Maintain young and established trees within the limits of professional competence.
• Support the care and development of Orchard's apple trees.
• Undertake appropriate fruit-tree pruning where competent to do so.
• Develop opportunities for additional fruit production.
• Monitor tree health.
• Identify damaged, diseased or potentially unsafe trees.
• Escalate work requiring specialist arboricultural expertise.
• Support the long-term development of the orchard and wider landscape.

Greenhouse, Polytunnel and Propagation

• Manage productive use of the Farm's greenhouse and polytunnel growing areas.
• Plan seasonal use of protected growing spaces.
• Raise vegetables, herbs and flowers from seed.
• Propagate plants from cuttings and other appropriate methods.
• Manage seedlings and young plants.
• Undertake potting-on and planting-out.
• Manage watering, ventilation and feeding.
• Harden plants appropriately before outdoor planting.
• Monitor pests and diseases.
• Maximise productive use of protected growing spaces throughout the year.

Educational Demonstrations and Community Engagement

As part of Orchard's wider educational and community approach, the Gardener / Horticulturist will occasionally share their specialist knowledge with young people and visitors to the Farm.

This may include:

• Deliver practical horticultural demonstrations for young people attending Orchard Therapeutic Farm.
• Demonstrate skills such as seed sowing, propagation, planting, pruning, harvesting and composting.
• Explain how fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers are grown.
• Help young people understand the journey from seed to plate and the connection between horticulture, food and the on-site restaurant.
• Demonstrate seasonal activities within the kitchen garden, rose garden, orchard, greenhouse and polytunnel.
• Support practical horticultural projects for young people alongside Orchard's education staff.
• Introduce young people to potential careers and vocational opportunities within horticulture.
• Encourage an understanding of sustainability, biodiversity, wildlife and environmental responsibility.
• Contribute to occasional workshops, open days and Farm events.
• Provide demonstrations or talks to members of the public where appropriate.
• Support seasonal public activities such as planting demonstrations, propagation, growing herbs and vegetables, harvesting or other horticultural activities.
• Share specialist horticultural knowledge in an accessible, engaging and practical way.
• Help visitors understand Orchard's farm-to-table approach and how produce grown on the Farm is used within the restaurant.

The post holder does not need to be a qualified teacher. However, they should enjoy sharing their expertise and be confident demonstrating practical horticultural skills to young people and adults.

When working with young people, educational staff will remain responsible for overall learner supervision and behaviour support.

General Garden Maintenance

Alongside specialist horticultural responsibilities, the role will include:

• Weeding.
• Watering.
• Pruning.
• Deadheading.
• Planting.
• Feeding.
• Mulching.
• Bed preparation.
• Hedge and shrub maintenance where appropriate.
• Leaf clearance.
• Composting.
• Maintaining pathways around planted areas.
• Maintaining irrigation and watering systems.
• General seasonal garden work.

The Gardener / Horticulturist will work alongside the Caretaker and wider Farm team but will have primary responsibility for the horticultural quality, productivity and development of Orchard's gardens.

Sustainability and Biodiversity

• Promote environmentally responsible gardening practices.
• Develop composting and soil-improvement systems.
• Encourage pollinators and beneficial wildlife.
• Develop planting that supports biodiversity.
• Consider water conservation when planning gardens and irrigation.
• Reduce unnecessary chemical use.
• Use organic and sustainable growing methods wherever reasonably practical.
• Identify opportunities to create habitats for wildlife.
• Contribute to Orchard's wider environmental ambitions.

Purchasing and Resources

• Identify plants, seeds and horticultural materials required for the gardens.
• Purchase horticultural resources within an agreed budget.
• Source appropriate plants, trees, seeds, bulbs, composts and growing materials.
• Plan purchasing according to the horticultural calendar.
• Maintain appropriate stocks of frequently used horticultural materials.
• Source good-quality and cost-effective suppliers.
• Maintain appropriate records and receipts.
• Monitor expenditure within the agreed horticultural budget.
• Seek approval for significant or exceptional expenditure in accordance with Orchard's financial procedures.

Tools, Machinery and Equipment

• Use horticultural tools and equipment safely and correctly.
• Maintain tools in good working condition.
• Clean and securely store equipment after use.
• Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Report damaged or unsafe equipment.
• Maintain clean, safe and organised horticultural storage areas.
• Ensure potentially hazardous tools, machinery and horticultural products are securely stored.
• Never leave dangerous equipment accessible to young people.

Safeguarding

• Promote the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people.
• Identify and report safeguarding concerns.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Follow Orchard's safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Ensure tools, machinery and potentially hazardous materials are securely stored.
• Consider the needs and vulnerabilities of young people when undertaking horticultural work.
• Follow safe working practices at all times.

Although horticulture is the primary purpose of the position, every member of staff at Orchard has responsibility for safeguarding children and young people.

Working as Part of the Team

• Work collaboratively with the Operations Manager, Directors and wider Orchard team.
• Liaise with the restaurant and kitchen team regarding seasonal produce.
• Work alongside the Caretaker regarding shared grounds responsibilities.
• Work with education staff when delivering demonstrations or horticultural activities for young people.
• Communicate horticultural priorities and requirements.
• Manage your own workload effectively.
• Plan work according to the seasons and needs of the gardens.
• Attend supervision, meetings and training where required.
• Contribute ideas for improving and developing Orchard's gardens.
• Support Orchard events and activities where appropriate.
• Promote Orchard's values and professional standards at all times.

What Success Looks Like

The successful Qualified Gardener / Horticulturist will:

• Maintain beautiful, healthy and professionally managed gardens.
• Establish a productive kitchen garden supplying seasonal produce to our restaurant.
• Grow high-quality vegetables, herbs and edible crops.
• Produce seasonal flowers for the restaurant and Orchard buildings.
• Maintain and develop an outstanding rose garden.
• Successfully establish and care for trees and new planting.
• Develop effective annual and seasonal growing plans.
• Improve soil quality and growing conditions.
• Maintain healthy and productive plants.
• Maximise the use of our greenhouse and polytunnel.
• Increase biodiversity and sustainable horticultural practices.
• Manage horticultural purchasing responsibly within the agreed budget.
• Confidently share horticultural knowledge with young people and visitors.
• Provide engaging practical demonstrations when required.
• Help young people understand food growing, sustainability and horticultural careers.
• Take pride and ownership in the appearance and productivity of the Farm.
• Proactively identify what needs doing rather than waiting to be instructed.
• Help make Orchard's gardens and home-grown produce a distinctive part of the Orchard experience.

Person SpecificationEssential Qualifications

• Recognised horticultural qualification or substantial equivalent professional horticultural experience.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Relevant qualifications may include RHS, City & Guilds, NVQ or equivalent recognised horticultural qualifications.

Experience

• Professional gardening or horticultural experience.
• Growing vegetables and herbs.
• Ornamental horticulture.
• Planting and establishing trees and shrubs.
• Rose and flowering-plant care.
• Seasonal planting.
• Pruning and plant maintenance.
• Soil preparation and improvement.
• Identifying common plant pests and diseases.
• Planning and managing horticultural work throughout the year.
• Working independently and taking responsibility for gardens or growing areas.

Knowledge

• Plant identification.
• Plant establishment.
• Soil management.
• Propagation.
• Seasonal growing.
• Vegetable and herb production.
• Ornamental planting.
• Tree and shrub planting.
• Rose care.
• Pruning.
• Plant nutrition.
• Pest and disease management.
• Watering and irrigation.
• Composting.
• Sustainable horticulture.
• Safe use of horticultural tools and equipment.

Skills

• Excellent practical horticultural skills.
• Ability to plan work according to the horticultural year.
• Ability to work independently.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to identify horticultural problems and find solutions.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Confidence explaining and demonstrating practical horticultural skills to others.
• Ability to engage young people and members of the public in horticulture.
• Ability to communicate specialist knowledge in a straightforward and accessible way.
• Ability to work collaboratively with education, restaurant and wider Farm teams.
• Ability to manage routine purchasing within an agreed budget.
• Pride in maintaining high standards.

Desirable

• RHS Level 2 or Level 3 qualification or equivalent.
• Kitchen-garden experience.
• Experience growing produce for restaurants or commercial kitchens.
• Cut-flower growing experience.
• Specialist knowledge of roses.
• Fruit-tree and orchard experience.
• Greenhouse or polytunnel management.
• Organic growing experience.
• Irrigation-system knowledge.
• Experience creating planting plans.
• Experience delivering horticultural demonstrations, workshops or community activities.
• Experience working with children or young people.
• Experience working within a school, Alternative Provision, therapeutic environment or similar setting.
• Experience supporting young people through horticulture.
• Relevant machinery qualifications.

Personal Qualities

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about horticulture
• Knowledgeable
• Practical
• Creative
• Reliable
• Proactive
• Organised
• Hard-working
• Patient
• Observant
• Approachable
• Confident sharing their knowledge
• Environmentally conscious
• Able to work independently
• Proud of maintaining exceptionally high standards

Above all, we are looking for someone who will take ownership of our gardens, understand what needs to happen throughout the horticultural year and enjoy sharing their knowledge with others.

Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Therapeutic Farm is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment procedures including an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List, online searches in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE 2026), satisfactory references and verification of qualifications and right to work.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

Job Type: Part-time, Permanent

Salary: £28,000–£30,000 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience

Hours: 22.5 hours per week

Working Pattern: 3 days per week, 7.5 hours per day

Weeks: 52 weeks per year

Benefits

• Company pension
• On-site parking
• Health and wellbeing programme
• A unique farm-based working environment

Experience

Professional gardening / horticulture: 2 years preferred

Licence/Certification

Full UK Driving Licence required

Recognised horticultural qualification preferred

Work Location

In person – Orchard Therapeutic Farm and other Orchard Group sites as required.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £28,000.00-£30,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking

Experience:

• Maintenance: 2 years (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person