Job Title: Gardener
Location: Horsham
Salary: £24k+ per annum, DOE
Job Type: Permanent/Full Time – 40-hour week, Monday-Friday, although Tuesday-Saturday would be desirable.
Knepp is a 3,500-acre estate devoted to a pioneering rewilding project. Using grazing animals as the drivers of habitat creation, and with the restoration of dynamic, natural water courses, the project has seen extraordinary increases in wildlife.
Our aim is to create one of the most exciting and sustainable culinary locations in Britain, with a dedicated local and national following.
We value diversity in our team as much as we do in our landscape. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles at Knepp.
We are very pleased to offer the full-time role of gardener within the gardens team at Knepp Castle, West Sussex, starting in August 2023. The right person will work with the gardens team at the newly rewilded walled garden, but will also be responsible for the hands-on management of a new public landscape at Swallows Farm.
Knepp’s gardens team manages a diverse range of horticultural projects – from experimental and productive gardens, to formal gardens and public spaces. We are seeking someone who can be flexible, nature-driven, and work as part of our team – reporting to our head gardener. They will not only work closely with the team, but also be responsible for the establishment and horticultural upkeep of a new public landscape on the Knepp Estate at Swallows Farm – to be completed July/August 2023.
Tasks at this new site will primarily involve the care of newly planted trees and shrubs, but also small pockets of herbaceous planting, to ensure good establishment. The landscape at Swallows Farm seeks to provide opportunities for wildlife, but also function as a public space surrounding the new Wilding Kitchen and Farm Shop. Therefore, the new gardener should be prepared to get involved with projects such as building habitat infrastructure, but also occasionally engaging with the visiting public.
When not at Swallows Farm, tasks within the gardens team may include orchard and meadow-work, nursery-work, visitor engagement, experimental and general horticulture. We expect the division of time to be 2 days per week at Swallows, and 3 days per week within the gardens team to start with – but this will be reviewed.
There is the potential for expanding the gardens at Swallows Farm in the future.
The Gardens at Knepp:
Our small team manages roughly 5-acres of gardens, meadow and orchard around Knepp Castle with a focus on garden ecology. This includes the 1.3-acre rewilded walled garden – a design masterminded by Tom Stuart-Smith and James Hitchmough – providing habitat for over 900 different types of plant. This project is a unique experiment in maximising garden biodiversity and is only in its second season. The gardens team hosts garden tours weekly throughout the season.
Our team also runs a 2.5-acre market garden as part of Knepp’s regenerative farm, growing a mix of vegetables, fruit and cut flowers.
Essential Skills and Experience:
- Hard working and keen to work outdoors in all weather.
- Self-motivated and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Quick learner who is meticulous at carrying out tasks to a high level.
- Horticultural qualifications: NVQ/RQF/RHS Level 2 or higher in Horticulture as a minimum, or proven practical experience.
- A good horticultural knowledge and plant base.
Desirable Skills and Experience:
- Interest in ecology (or even better, practical experience!)
- Good at working with the public and happy to lead volunteer groups.
- Comfortable using a range of tools and machinery (training given).
- Can adapt to different situations and bring a positive attitude to problem solving.
- Clear and open communication.
- Driving license and own vehicle.
Please click on the APPLY button to submit your CV for this role.
Overseas candidates will NOT be considered for this role. We are not sponsoring Visa’s at this time, so please refrain from applying unless eligible to work in the UK
Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of: Groundskeeper, Groundsman, Grounds person, Groundswoman, Grounds Keeper, Gardener, Head Gardener, Garden Maintenance Team Leader, Ground Maintenance, Operative Gardener, Experienced Gardener, Garden Designer, Landscape Gardener, Grounds, Gardener, Garden Maintenance Landscaper may also be considered for this role.
