Lead Gardener: Organic Medicinal Farm & Teaching Gardens

Organic Growers Alliance; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Hale Estate Berkshire Ltd invites applications for a Head Gardener at Grange Farm, Cookham, near Maidenhead. The role is full-time (37.5 hours/week) with occasional weekend/out-of-hours work and includes managing a garden team and volunteers.

You will oversee organic planting, pest control, record-keeping for GMP and SOPs, and educational garden talks, collaborating with herbalists and medical teams. Competitive salary £38,000–£45,000 depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Level 3 RHS horticultural qualification or equivalent
• Strong knowledge of Health and Safety and COSHH regulations
• Experience writing and reviewing risk assessments
• 3–5 years managing a professional garden team with good communication
• Proactive, organised, flexible team player willing to hands-on work
• Proficiency with garden machinery and Microsoft Office

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term sustainable plans for land, farm, medicinal forest, and teaching gardens
• Create and implement a detailed organic garden maintenance plan
• Lead and motivate a team of gardeners and volunteers
• Grow medicinal plants and edibles to organic/biodynamic standards and seek certification
• Manage planting, propagation, and cultivation across estate areas
• Maintain tool inventory and order replacements with approval as needed
• Record-keeping for GMP and SOPs for medicinal plants and food products
• Collaborate with landscape architects to shape estate landscape
• Ensure health, safety, and training for all staff and volunteers
• Liaise with suppliers and support community engagement events

Skills

Health & safety (COSHH)

Risk assessments

Team leadership

Garden machinery (tractors)

Microsoft Office

Communication & collaboration

Public talks & events

Education

RHS Level 3 qualification or equivalent

Tools

Garden machinery (tractors)

Job description

Hale Estate Berkshire Ltd invites applications for a Head Gardener at Grange Farm, Cookham, near Maidenhead. The role is full-time (37.5 hours/week) with occasional weekend/out-of-hours work and includes managing a garden team and volunteers.

You will oversee organic planting, pest control, record-keeping for GMP and SOPs, and educational garden talks, collaborating with herbalists and medical teams. Competitive salary £38,000–£45,000 depending on experience.