Head Gardener

Location: Usk, UK
This is a full-time position, Monday to Friday, 8am - 5pm
Salary: Depending on experience

Main purpose of job

The position of Head Gardener is based at Allt-y-bela, a private Grade II listed late medieval property in Wales. The garden itself covers approximately five acres, which include two rental cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, topiary, roses, perennial borders, fruit and vegetable areas, and riverside and woodland gardens. The garden sits within a 165-acre Triple SI estate, which is currently under conservation management and grazing, and there is an opportunity for the gardener to become involved in the ongoing enhancement of the wider landscape.

Main duties and responsibilities

• To manage overall maintenance of the garden to an exceptionally high standard.
• Strong horticultural knowledge including fruit and vegetable production
• Management of the garden and wider land
• Varied help with tasks of the entirety of the property, known as Allt y bela
• Demonstrating initiative with ideas on how to enhance and develop the garden whilst ensuring the highest quality maintenance of existing areas
• Oversee planting, pruning and weeding of the garden
• Grow cut flowers
• Plant Propagation
• Improve soil health and growing conditions for the plants
• To manage and support other contractors
• General administration including monitoring emails, work plans, ordering plants, equipment and products
• To manage and lead garden tours and courses at Allt y Bela
• Lead garden talks at Allt y Bela or in the studio in Bath
• Contribute to social media and garden journals, supported by photographs
• The garden should be organic as much as possible but when necessary being able to use sprayers for pests, diseases and plant health.
• Support principals and wider team with any reasonable requests in relation to the smooth running of Allt y Bela

Daily tasks will involve planning and monitoring

• Pruning and maintenance of the herbaceous borders and other garden plantings
• Use of machinery for variety of maintenance tasks for example but not limited to: mowing, flailing, hay making, strimming and hedge trimming.
• Planting and care of perennial beds and pots
• Identifying and managing infestations and plant disease
• Cut fresh flower arrangements for the home
• Keep up-to-date records and daily diaries accordingly
• Updates via zoom
• Complete Procurement spreadsheet on Excel when Ordering plants
• Add receipts to Pleo App after making any purchases
• Keep a journal of what has been planted, location and progress of plants (growth,Survival rates etc)
• Oversee contractors, maintain property equipment and systems
• Ensure seasonal preparation(s)
• Plan and prioritise work on a weekly basis with consideration of forecast weather conditions
• Keep all garden areas tidy
• Any other tasks as reasonably requested by Arne or William

Professional skills required

• Self-motivated and able to take responsibility
• Able to demonstrate initiative and a proactive approach to daily tasks
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a team
• Able to build good relationship at all levels, internally and externally
• Resilient to cope with conflicting demands, able to prioritise duties and work effectively under pressure while remaining calm and professional at all times
• Able to work as part of an effective team assisting and supporting team members
• Ability to communicate efficiently and clearly both verbally and in writing
• IT skills
• UK driving license

Personal skills and attributes required

• Present a Positive Attitude
• Self-motivated and able to take responsibility
• Responsible, hard-working, self-motivated, and detail oriented
• Flexible
• Professional friendly demeanour, as well as excellent verbal and written skills
• Willingness and aptitude for working collaboratively as part of a team and with other suppliers
• Ability to self-manage time and workloads and help manage those of others
• Strong time management, critical thinking and organisational skills

Optional Involvement in Design Studio

• Opportunity to support Arne and the design team on client site visits.
• Involved in the design process of planting and setting out gardens.
• Mentoring gardeners on other projects either at client gardens or mentoring training days at Allt y Bela
• Contributing during the evolution phase of garden projects, supporting Arne and the studio team.