Gardening jobs in Overton

Job Overview

Head Gardener required for Highclere Castle , Newbury, Berks

Highclere Castle is a well known Grade 1 Heritage building set in a beautiful 18th century park and gardens in North Hampshire. We are well known for being the location for the successful TV series Downton Abbey and have over 100,00 visitors to the Castle & park each year.

We require a Head Gardener to lead our experienced team who look after an area of 22 acres in which are set both formal beds (Monks garden, White Border & Secret Garden) and green houses as well as a 4 acres wild flower meadow and 5 acre arboretum which has shrubs and bulbs as well as a collection of native and exotic trees.

The position of Head Gardener at Highclere requires an experienced plants person who has strong knowledge of annual & perennial plants and shrubs, experience in planting interesting and original borders, a full understanding of green house horticulture for tender and indoor plants especially citrus & geraniums as well as growing from seed and growing on from plug plants. The green houses are heated and unheated and are key to the maintenance and production of indoor plants for the Castle State rooms and propagation for the borders.

The applicants for this role must be very enthusiastic about the management and development of a relatively large garden area and have an understanding of both borders which need to be full of colour from May to September as well as looking after a wild flower meadow with what are now rare chalk downland species and an open woodland garden with young mostly deciduous trees and many thousands of bulbs and some rare wild flowers.

There are 9 acres of lawns to be kept mowed and tidy as well as helping with Castle events which are involve visitors enjoying the gardens on special themed or charity days.

There is also a 2.5 acres vineyard in the old walled garden separate from the Castle which has both Chardonnay & Pinot Noir grapes and the Castle gardens team are responsible for it's maintenance.

Applicants for this post must enjoy meeting and talking to our many visitors as we are very much a public facing venue and we have a strong Health & Safety policy for both employees and the visiting public.

The job requires a fully Hands On leader of our team of 4 assistant gardeners and there is a considerable amount of planning and preparation each year to maintain the borders of our more formal areas. An interest in garden design and future planning is very helpful.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and care for gardens, lawns, and outdoor areas through regular upkeep.
• Utilise hand tools and power tools effectively for tasks such as planting, pruning, and weeding.
• Irrigate plants and manage watering schedules to ensure optimal growth.
• Assist in the growing of plants, flowers, and vegetables by preparing soil and planting seeds or seedlings.
• Conduct landscape maintenance activities including mowing, edging, and mulching.
• Monitor plant health and identify any pests or diseases; implement appropriate treatments.
• Keep grounds clean and tidy by removing debris and litter.
• Collaborate with team members to plan garden layouts and seasonal planting strategies.

Requirements

• Proven experience in gardening and horticulture is a requirement.
• Familiarity with the use of power tools and hand tools relevant to gardening tasks.
• Knowledge of irrigation systems and techniques for effective watering.
• Understanding of plant care requirements including soil types, sunlight needs, and pest management.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to maintaining high standards of work.
• Excellent physical stamina as the role involves manual labour including lifting, bending, and standing for extended periods.

If you have a passion for gardening and possess the necessary skills to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £34,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

• Yearly bonus

Benefits:

• Free parking
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Experience:

• Gardening: 8 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: Head G