Head Gardener

My wife & I are looking for a head gardener to work at our family home near Tilford, Surrey. The successful candidate will take over from a much-loved gardener who has looked after the property for 40 years and is now looking to reduce his hours, so there’s a real chance to learn the grounds properly before taking full responsibility.

This is a hands-on, varied role suited to someone who genuinely loves being outdoors and takes pride in a well-run garden — from formal lawns and borders to a productive vegetable garden, a small orchard, plus livestock (just a few chickens & pigs!) and general estate maintenance.

There is a full-time maintenance employee on site and a part-time gardener who will be on hand to assist.

Key Responsibilities

• Overall care and maintenance of approximately 10 acres of garden and grounds, including borders, lawns, trees and hedges
• Management of the vegetable garden, including planning, planting, and harvesting produce
• There is small orchard we would be interested in growing (so in time pruning, pest management, and harvest)
• Feeding and general welfare checks of the chickens and pigs kept on the property
• Fencing, hedging, and other manual estate maintenance tasks
• Operating and maintaining garden machinery and tools (mowers, strimmers, chainsaws, etc.) safely and to a good standard
• Seasonal planning — planting schedules, mulching, pruning, lawn care programmes
• Managing supplies, ordering materials/plants as needed, and keeping basic records of work carried out
• You will be required to lead a small team of the maintenance man and part time gardener to ensure smooth day to day running of all operations
• Liaising with the family on priorities, projects, and any additional contractors (e.g. tree surgeons)

About You

• Substantial experience as a Head Gardener on a large private estate or similar-sized property
• Strong all-round horticultural knowledge — lawns, borders, vegetable gardens, and fruit growing
• Practical, hands-on approach to help with all fencing, hedging, and general manual estate work
• Comfortable with animal care
• Competent and safe use of garden machinery and power tools; relevant certifications (e.g. chainsaw, PA1/PA6 for spraying) not essential but desirable
• A full, clean UK driving licence
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic and able to manage own workload and communicate with the family
• Genuine passion for gardens and the outdoors, with pride in maintaining a high standard year-round

What’s Offered

Hours: Full-time permanent position
Salary: from £40k per annum dependent on experience and hours
Location: Live out, Near Tilford, Surrey
Reporting to: Homeowner
Holiday allowance: 25 days per annum

Our aims are to promote professional contact, share information and skills and, through our extensive ongoing learning and traineeships, to continue to provide the horticultural industry with skilled gardeners and garden managers.

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