Gardener

Preston Hall; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Preston Hall Estate invites a skilled Gardener to join the Walled Garden team near Pathhead, Midlothian, just outside Edinburgh. The role primarily covers the Walled Garden and Flower Garden, with occasional duties around the holiday lets and Preston Hall.

You will work four days a week (Tue–Fri) with possible weekend help; a recognised gardening qualification and practical tool experience are essential to succeed.

Qualifications

• Some experience of gardening in a professional setting is essential.
• Be willing to work outdoors in all weathers.
• Hold a recognised gardening qualification.

Responsibilities

• Work mainly within the Walled Garden and Flower Garden; tasks may extend to holiday lets and Preston Hall.
• Support events and interact with garden users during garden events as required.
• Observe health and safety procedures at all times and maintain tidy finishes.

Skills

Gardening experience

Hand tools

Garden machinery

Propagation

Pruning

Health & safety

Full clean license

Education

Gardening qualification

Tools

Tractor operation

Garden machinery

Job description

Preston Hall Estate is excited to welcome a new Gardener to the Walled Garden. This is an opportunity to join the estate at an exciting time as we continue to develop and improve the existing gardens. We are located just outside Pathhead, Midlothian, within easy reach of Edinburgh by car. The walled gardens form part of an 18th and 19th century designed landscape and are of outstanding architectural interest. Currently, the gardens consist of extensive herbaceous borders, mature trees and shrubs, and a glasshouse containing grapevines, figs, and stone fruits. Whilst it is largely a private garden, at present we are open for events, by appointment for tours, and on designated open days throughout the year. The responsibilities of the role lie mainly within the walled garden and Flower Garden, although the work does extend around the holiday lets and Preston Hall itself.

About You

Working closely alongside our Head Gardener this is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to increase their expertise and develop knowledge, though you will also have a resourceful nature and the ability to work under your own initiative. You will have the ability to guide seasonal staff and volunteers in their work. As our programme of events increases, you may be expected to facilitate as required, and so the ability and confidence to interact with garden users during garden events is required. Due to the nature of the role you will need to be comfortable with physical work, uneven ground, and potentially walking over long distances to different areas of the surrounding estate and properties. We would expect you to be willing to observe health and safety procedures set out by Preston Hall Estate.

Key aptitudes to include:

• Some experience of gardening in a professional setting is essential, as is a recognised qualification
  • Weeding and border maintenance, to include deadheading and staking
  • Experience with use of hand tools such as spades, forks, mattocks, rakes, hoes etc
  • Hedge cutting, strimming: experience in the use of garden machinery such as strimmers, pedestrian mowers, leaf blowers, hedge cutters is essential
  • Planting – both perennials and containers
  • Soil care to include mulching
  • Some knowledge of fruit and vegetable production
  • Knowledge of appropriate pruning times and training techniques
  • Propagation – knowledge of different propagation techniques
  • Cutting back of herbaceous perennials
  • Watering of glasshouse, and container displays both in the garden and on the wider estate
  • Operation of compact tractor with front loader and tipping trailer/RTV
• Ability to adhere to good Health and Safety procedures, and the ability to work effectively within these parameters
  • Attention to detail and the ability to leave a tidy finish
  • A willingness to work in all weathers
• A full clean driving license valid for driving within the UK is essential due to the location of the estate and the nature of the role

Key Information

• You will be working four days a week, ideally Tuesday to Friday. You may be asked to help out very occasionally at weekends
• Salary is £27,366 pro rata