Head gardener





Now Hiring - September 2022



The Mellerstain Trust wishes to recruit an experienced and ambitious Head Gardener to lead a newly formed grounds and garden team. Mellerstain House and Gardens is a historic visitor attraction, set within 100 acres of landscaped parkland, watercourse and woodland overlooking the Cheviot hills. The garden consists of Italianate terraces, herbaceous borders and wildflower meadows.


Working with commitment and energy, the successful applicant will be lead a small, newly formed team who will maintain established features of the garden as well as helping to develop new projects.


In consultation with the Trustees, this creative individual will take charge of revitalising the formal garden originally designed in the 1900s by Reginald Blomfield. The garden team will care for a kitchen garden, the Mediterranean flower beds in the sun-drenched East Courtyard, and the charming secret garden that encircles the thatched tea cottage. There is also a river-side walled garden, currently in disrepair, but with great scope for expansion.


You will be supported by a part-time assistant gardener, a trainee gardener and a groundskeeper. Crucially the role involves sharing horticultural knowledge with this team, and in the medium to long term there is the potential to establish community participation – the trustees are very open to suggestions as to how to progress here. The propagation of plants for sale is another important aspect of the job.


Applicants should possess excellent plant knowledge and technical skills combined with previous experience working in a large garden. This job offers an expansive learning opportunity in a garden open to the public.



Job Description





Hours : Full Time

Salary : £27k – £29k dependent on experience


Objectives

• To care for the diverse plants in the formal, kitchen and woodland areas

• To develop new areas of the garden with the garden manager and external consultants

• To manage productive working relationships with members of your team


Role

• Oversee planting, pruning and weeding of the garden

• Grow vegetables and cut flowers

• Improve soil health and growing conditions for the plants

• Develop the biodiversity of the grounds

• Care for the house plants and greenhouses

• Plan and prioritise work on a weekly basis with consideration of forecast weather conditions

• Supervise and work alongside part-time and seasonal staff in the garden and grounds

• Share horticultural knowledge with other staff and visitors

• Explore options for community engagement in the garden

• Manage expenditure within the annual plant budget

• Propagate plants to be sold during open season

• Keep all garden sheds tidy and with an updated inventory

• Assist with general security within the Trust grounds

• Assist in other aspects of the work of the Mellerstain Trust as required


Requirements

• Experience maintaining a large garden

• Level 3 RHS or equivalent qualification

• Creative plantsmanship and a sense of garden design

• Good working knowledge of plant propagation and maintenance

• Understanding of soil improvement strategies

• Mature, flexible personality with good communication skills

• A welcoming and professional manner

• Ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team

• Supervision and support of other garden and grounds staff

• Facilitate and maintain the safe use and storage of fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides and other hazardous substances used within the gardens and grounds

• Good working knowledge of garden and grounds machinery

• Awareness and compliance of Health & Safety requirements and regulations.

• Maintain confidentiality regarding Trust matters at all times


Reporting Structure

The Mellerstain Trust is run by six Trustees, one of whom is appointed Garden manager. They will oversee the strategy of the garden and manage staff reviews. The day-to-day management will be done by the Head gardener who will lead the groundkeeper, part-time garden, garden trainees and volunteers.


Assignment and Review of Work

All work plans to be agreed and reviewed with the Garden Trustee on a monthly basis. Review will be on a continuous basis and carried out by the Garden Trustee. Review will be based on:

• Timely and efficient completion of tasks.

• Overall standard of the garden.

• Wellbeing and effectiveness of the team.

Job appraisal will be conducted annually.


To apply please submit your CV and a Cover Letter to enquiries@mellerstain.com.

Closing date: 5pm Friday 7 October 2022








Mellerstain House, Gordon, Scottish Borders TD3 6LG
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Tel: 01573 410 225


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