Jobs
Garden Manager
Posted Tuesday 14th January 2025:
We are currently seeking an experienced freelance gardener to join our team for as a manager for regular maintenance shifts and planting projects. This role would suit someone who would be confident working both independently and managing small teams of 1-2 gardeners. The applicant must have prior experience working in a client-facing role in a mature, ornamental garden, such as in residential, public or commercial gardens. Applicants ideally will have completed a formal horticulture qualification at least to RHS Level 2 or 3 (or equivalent).
It is desirable that applicants have a valid UK driving licence. Owning your own vehicle is a bonus. Petrol and parking expenses are reimbursed.
There will be an initial 6-8 week period where you will work alongside at least one other gardener as you become familiarised with our regular clients. After this, you will have the opportunity to work independently and manage teams on-site, with scope to also work on planting plans and soft landscaping design work. There will also be potential to develop your role as a junior designer.
Schedule: 2-3 days per week. Working hours 8.30am-4.30pm in summer / 8am-4pm in winter. Most maintenance sessions last 2-8 hours, with between one and three clients per day. We are looking for a canditate who is ready for an immediate start (February 2024).
Salary: Pay negotiable on experience (minimum £20 per hour when working independently, higher when managing gardeners/teams), paid on invoice, self-employed basis with possibility of PAYE contract to follow.
Key responsibilities:
Highlighting priority tasks in the garden and either working independently or instructing 1-2 gardeners at a time on work to undertake during the session.
Taking note of areas for improvement or replanting in gardens, with potential to work on planting plans.
Pruning shrubs, climbers and small trees.
Maintenance of ornamental borders and containers including weeding, planting, mulching, soil conditioning, feeding, dividing, staking, deadheading and cutting back.
Treating pests and diseases using organic methods where possible.
Hedge trimming.
Sweeping, leaf blowing and tidying.
Lawn care including: seeding, mowing, edging, feeding, weeding and turfing.
Collecting and sourcing plants from nurseries.
Communicating with clients in a friendly and professional manner, taking note of priority tasks.
Safely removing and transporting garden waste (if candidate has a driving license).
Installing irrigation systems (training can be provided for this within the role).
Writing out timesheets detailing work undertaken and notes for forthcoming visits.
Collating information and feeding it back to the studio team to allow us to coordinate orders and visits.
Essential skills:
A good knowledge of plants, pruning, lawn care, pest and disease identification.
Experience maintaining mature gardens, with the confidence to edit the existing mature planting when appropriate, and lead on pruning and seasonal tasks.
Ability to cooperate and instruct teams, identifying priority tasks for gardeners to undertake.
Strong client communication skills.
A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a similar role.
Full UK driving licence (manual).
Desirable skills:
Formal horticulture qualification at least to RHS Level 2 or equivalent - or ideally level 3.
Experience in garden design and/or landscape architecture.
Own vehicle.
Experience driving a van.
Person specification:
Reliable, honest and punctual.
Physically fit and willing to work in all types of weather.
The successful candidate will benefit from competitive wages, flexible hours, regular appraisals, and training opportunities.
About us:
We are a small, LGBTQ+ run company based in South East London, offering garden design and creative maintenance services predominantly for residential and commercial clients across Lewisham, Southwark, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Hackney and Islington. Director Patrick Featherstone is an award-winning plantsman trusted by clients across London and Europe to create original, planet-conscious, show stopping gardens.
To apply, please send a CV and a statement of interest via email with the subject line ‘Applicant: Garden Manager’ to studio@patrickfeatherstone.com by Friday 14th February 2025.