Live In Full Time Gardener, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds – REF SP1688

Full Time experienced Head Gardener required for a beautiful private country house located between Lavenham and Bury St Edmunds. This is a live in position with accommodation provided in the village.

We are looking for an experienced gardener, who has worked as a private gardener previously and has excellent references to look after and manage this beautiful garden consisting of flower beds, lawns, hedges, a walled garden and small vegetable patch. There is roughly 8 acres of garden and within this a large moat (separately maintained) and wild areas. There is also about 8 acres of paddocks which are either grazed or cut.

This is a full time position, Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm (hours can be flexible). This is a live in position with a 4 bedroom modern bungalow provided in the local village. There could be one days housekeeping work for the other half of the couple but this is not essential. A family and dog would be welcome.

Duties to include

• To keep all drives, gardens, borders and paved areas clean and tidy
• Maintain the current borders to a high standard and water all new planting and tubs
• Cut wood and fill log baskets
• Cutting all lawns, long grass and grass rides around the fields, hedge cutting and using weed killer where necessary
• Keep gutters clear of leaves, etc.
• Look after all machinery and equipment, e.g. cutters, flymos, mowers, ride on cutter, saws,  pumps, and tractor and trailer etc.
• Maintain compost heap and bonfires
• Maintain protectors around young trees
• Liaise with external contractors and controlling access to the house when the owners are away
• Plant borders and shrub work in collaboration with the owners
• Maintain garden furniture, keep leisure areas tidy and small job repairs
• Occasionally level the sand menage with tractor

The successful applicant will: 

• Be passionate and enthusiastic about the garden
• Have at least 5 years experience and worked in a private garden previously or be qualified
• Punctual, reliable and trustworthy
• Able to work with a part time assistant gardener and work independently as well as collaborate with the owners
• Able to operate all garden machinery including driving a small tractor and trailer
• Be apply to supply excellent references from previous employers

A competitive salary will be offered to the successful applicant.

For more information please contact Sophie at info@ruralrecruitment.co.uk