Gardener

Château de Mercuès; Bala; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A historic hotel in Wales seeks a passionate gardener to maintain its diverse grounds, including a kitchen garden and wildlife conservation efforts. The role requires practical horticultural knowledge and experience, alongside strong organizational and communication skills. You will work closely with the Head Chef to grow seasonal produce while ensuring the beauty and ecology of the estate.

Qualifications

• Good knowledge of horticulture and practical experience in applying this through the seasons.
• Experience in maintaining a diverse garden producing herbs, vegetables, and edible flowers.
• Motivated, well-organized with excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support team in maintaining gardens and adhering to routine tasks.
• Develop and maintain a diverse kitchen garden for seasonal produce.
• Implement wildlife conservation initiatives and monitor soil conditions.

Skills

Horticulture knowledge

Practical gardening experience

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

To work within the following areas: Woodland, pond, walkways, gravel areas, orchard, polytunnel, glasshouse, walled garden, drives, borders, lawns, courtyard, plant containers and hanging baskets, hot tub cleaning and water monitoring.

To support the team in creating and adhering to a matrix of routine and seasonal tasks. To help create, develop and maintain a diverse kitchen garden to produce seasonal herbs, vegetables and edible flowers for the hotel in liaison with the Head Chef.

To carry out routine tasks including weeding, pruning, mowing, digging, bonfire supervision, leaf blowing, watering, sowing, harvesting, salting, plant feeding.

To have a keen interest in wildlife conservation and help implement initiatives for the support and welfare of wildlife within the Palé estate.

To administer appropriate fertiliser for different plants at the correct time of year and in the appropriate weather conditions.

To undertake pruning appropriate to the species, maturity, time of year and weather conditions.

To monitor soil conditions and implement measures to preserve/improve soil structure and add/remove fertility appropriate to the purpose of that area, time of year and weather conditions.

To monitor temperatures and manage appropriately fleecing plants, fan heaters, ventilation, watering, salting steps/paths/drives.

To help identify and monitor plant pests and diseases, and implement measures to prevent and tackle.

Qualifications

Personal requirements:

A good knowledge and understanding of horticulture and practical experience in applying this through the seasons. Ideally, to have some experience in maintaining a diverse walled garden producing seasonal herbs, vegetables and edible flowers for the kitchen. To have knowledge of trees, species and conditions, and their importance and impact on the estate.

To be motivated and well organised, with the skills and knowledge to maintain the gardens and defined areas of responsibility to the required standard. To have excellent communication skills, and to display a positive, willing and flexible attitude towards the role and the working environment.