Gardener – Part Time

Self employed gardener - 3 days per week with flexibility.

The owners of a private garden based in Market Harborough are looking for an experienced, hands-on part-time gardener to manage and maintain their gardens due to the retirement of their present gardener. The vacancy would suit a well-rounded gardener with excellent horticultural knowledge and the ability to work on their own initiative.

The garden totals 6 acres, of which 3.5 are landscaped, comprising a tree-lined drive, wildlife pond, woodland paths, walled flower garden, kitchen garden, 3 greenhouses, and 1 polytunnel. The garden features a spring garden, late summer garden, crescent border, small orchard area, and fernery.

Job requirements:

• Experienced, qualified gardener (RHS level 2/3 or equivalent) to maintain the gardens year-round. Physically fit and comfortable working outdoors in all weathers.
• Excellent plant knowledge.
• Experience growing fruit and vegetables, as well as specialist pruning of roses, wisterias, small trees and shrubs, fruit trees, and espalier.
• Maintenance of all borders including weeding, seasonal pruning, dead-heading, additional planting, and staking. Lifting and moving tender plants to the greenhouses to over-winter.
• Propagation of seeds and cuttings, division of perennials, and potting on.
• Planting of annuals and perennials, and extensive autumn bulb planting.
• Box hedge and topiary trimming.
• Raking of Breedon and woodland paths.
• Feeding pots and plants and watering, especially in the summer months.
• Compost management and leaf collecting, distribution of compost and manure.

The garden opens for the NGS 2 or 3 times a year, usually the last Sundays in April, May, and June.