Sole Gardener

Location : Central London
Salary : Circa £20-25ph
Vacancy type : Permanent
Vacancy ID : 49016

PART -TIME 2 DAYS A WEEK

SELF-EMPLOYED.

We are looking for a Gardener with a minimum of RHS level 2 qualifications. We require a Gardener for a listed private garden in Central London established c.1813. The garden is enjoyed and funded by the residents who live in the surrounding houses. It is run by the Garden Trust Committee which is made up of residents who live on the Square.

Each September you will be required to lead the annual review meeting with Committee members and our external garden consultant, where together we draw up plans and budgets for the forthcoming year.

This position is part-time only and you will be reporting into designated members of the Garden Trust Committee.

Job description

We have a strong community, and the Garden is a key part of this. We are looking for a Gardener who takes pride in and responsibility for the garden and who would form part of this Community, caring for and developing the garden to take it forward for the next generation as a tranquil oasis in an increasingly frenetic city. Year-round duties include:

Lawns
- Maintain the grass lawns â?? fertilize three to six times a year, aerate, cut in the summer months, over-seed.
- Maintain two sections of Nordic lawn; treat as regular lawn, fertilize, aerate, overseed and brush lawn to keep free of mud as required, mow during the growing season.

Garden beds
With a combination of shrubs and an old holly hedge we want to develop dense naturalistic foliage around the entire perimeter of the garden. There is also a formal rose bed to be looked after.
- Develop, hand prune and feed the healthy sections of the holly hedge; maintain the new areas that are currently being planted and developed.
- Maintain the shrubs: large selection of flowering and non-flowering shrubs.These should be hand pruned and fed at the appropriate time of the year.
- Maintain perennials - hand prune, dead head and feed as required.
- Deadhead bulbs and folia, and feed for longer lasting bulbs.
- Weed and decompact beds on a rolling basis to maximize plant health, including digging, hoeing and hand weeding as appropriate.
- Monitor for pests and diseases. Treat appropriately
- Mulch beds annually with bought in mulch and with whatever is generated from the compost bins.
- Maintain compost bins.

Watering
- Maintain the existing automatic watering system and replace batteries as needed.
- Hand water the relevant sections of the garden and pots, especially during the summer months and when settling in any new plants.

Paths
- Spray as necessary to keep weed free.
- Keep clear of leaves and other debris.

Litter
- Twice a week clear any litter and dead wood lying in the garden.
- Weekly empty the three litter bins positioned at each of the three entrance gates.

Green Garden Waste Removal
- Compost as much as possible. The remainder should be put out in the Westminster bins which are collected every Tuesday morning. This process is currently in development.

Autumn and Winter Duties
- Clear leaves twice a week to allow grass to grow.
- Prune relevant shrubs, prepare garden for winter.
- Plant spring bulbs.
- Additional mulching
- Put Christmas lights around the railings in November and take down in mid-January.

Cleaning and General Maintenance
- Clean and maintain wooden benches. Inspect seats weekly and check they are clean to sit on.
- South Shed - pressure wash terrace around shed.
- North Shed â?? keep swept and clean.
- Maintain all tools well. Mowers to be serviced annually
- Keep the Gardenersâ?? shed tidy. Maintain the content of the North shed with the help of a committee member.

Birds, with the assistance of a resident (to be discussed).
- Maintain bird feeders and keep topped up with food.
- Inspect bird bath weekly â?? clean as required.

Log Books
- Keep a daily diary of what is done in the garden and weather conditions.
- Inspect Play equipment weekly and enter comments in a dedicated log book.
- Attend a monthly meeting with a Committee member to discuss progress.

 

Please quote 49016 when speaking with one of our consultants.