Gardener

Relais & Châteaux; Bala; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job description

Company Description

PaléHall, a destination country house hotel in beautiful Snowdonia, has a rare opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic Gardener to help care for several acres of formal garden, parkland, wooded areas and walled garden. With an extensive landscaping project in the planning, and huge plans for investment and growth, Palé Hall is a very exciting place to be!

The gardens team are responsible for the planned and day-to-day maintenance of defined property grounds and gardens at Palé Hall, including the glasshouse and polytunnel, and associated areas of the business. The successful candidate will have the skills and knowledge to carry out routine and seasonal tasks, and help maintain the gardens of the hotel to the highest standards.

One of the AA Five Red Star hotels in Wales, with AA Three Rosettes and the coveted Michelin Green Star for food sustainability, Pale Hall offers 22 individually designed bedrooms, suites and Garden Suites full of original features. The Henry Robertson fine dining room with tranquil views over the lawns serves our four and seven course tasting menus, and the rustic Huntsman bistro offers more relaxed dining from a traditional la carte menu.

Candidates must have the right to live and work in the UK, and be confident that they can commute to the hotel within the shift pattern of the role.

Job Description

Main Duties

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. To carry out routine tasks including weeding, pruning, mowing, digging, bonfire supervision, leaf blowing, watering, sowing, harvesting, salting, plant feeding.
4. To have a keen interest in wildlife conservation and help implement initiatives for the support and welfare of wildlife within the Palé estate.
5. To administer appropriate fertiliser for different plants at the correct time of year and in the appropriate weather conditions.
6. To undertake pruning appropriate to the species, maturity, time of year and weather conditions.
7. 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.
8. To monitor temperatures and manage appropriately e.g. fleecing plants, fan heaters, ventilation, watering, salting steps/paths/drives.
9. To help identify and monitor plant pests and diseases, and implement measures to prevent and tackle.

Qualifications

Personal requirements:

1. 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.
2. 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.

Additional Information

• Meals on duty
• Onsite parking
• Generous employee discounts
• Share of monthly gratuities