Head Gardener, Newmarket, Suffolk

Racehorse Trader Online Ltd; Newmarket; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an experienced Head Gardener to oversee a stunning 25-acre historical garden. This role offers the opportunity to manage a diverse landscape featuring peony gardens, formal lawns, and vegetable plots, all while working closely with a passionate horticultural family. The ideal candidate will have a strong horticultural background, staff management experience, and a desire to enhance the garden's beauty and functionality. With a focus on reliability and attention to detail, this position promises a fulfilling experience in a serene and evolving environment. If you are ready to nurture and develop a cherished garden, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• Experience managing staff and contractors in a large garden setting.
• Essential PA1 and PA6 spray certification required.

Responsibilities

• Manage and improve a 25-acre historical garden with diverse plantings.
• Work closely with the family and team to nurture the garden.

Skills

Horticultural Knowledge

Staff Management

Attention to Detail

Reliability

Punctuality

Propagation of Plants

Pruning Skills

Tools

Compact Tractors

Pedestrian Mowers

Handheld Machinery

Automatic Irrigation Systems

Chainsaw Certification

Job description

A varied position for an experienced Head Gardener/Senior gardener with a broad horticultural knowledge and experience in managing staff, contractors and seasonal demands of a large garden.

The garden comprises of 25 acres of historical parkland with gardens laid out 20 years ago. There are peony gardens, formal rose gardens, mixed herbaceous and shrub borders, formal lawns and hedges, extensive herbaceous borders, cut flower and vegetable garden, polytunnel and greenhouse. A large collection of bulbs planted throughout the historic landscape, with Galanthus, Camassias and Narcissus. A busy garden which has a various aspect to it, although only 20 years old, the garden is now reaching its maturity, and the garden continues to develop and evolve. Working with the Family, alongside the small team and other members of staff on the estate, the garden forms a wonderful setting for the private home at its centre.

A good knowledge of compact tractors, implements, pedestrian mowers and handheld machinery is desirable in this role. PA1 and PA6 spray certification is essential. Knowledge of automatic irrigation systems and cylinder mowers would be advantageous, as would chainsaw certification, although contractors are used for larger tree works. Propagation and cultivation of ornamental and edible plants, as well as knowledge of division of herbaceous perennials and pruning of a wide array of shrubs and trees, is needed.

The candidate will need an eye for detail and the will to constantly improve the garden in its next chapter for a passionate horticultural family. This role would suit someone who is looking to care for and nurture this special garden, developing the garden further to carry on the forward trajectory of it.

Reliability, punctuality and an easy to get along with manner are essential.

The Garden is also open for 3 Charity Open Gardens per year, and so you will be expected to work with a day in lieu.

Working Hours are: Monday to Friday 8am-4.30pm with 30 minutes paid morning break and 30 minutes unpaid lunch.

Salary up to £36,000 depending on experience.

Stibbard, Norfolk.