HEAD OF GARDENS + GROUNDS
WHAT IS GUARDSWELL…?
Guardswell Farm, based between Kinnaird and Abernyte in Perthshire (PH149QZ), is a hilltop working farm shared with those who want to step away from hustle and bustle, and throw themselves into a life a little slower, and a little cheerier. We love relaxed and fun events and weddings- packed full of family and friends, old vases filled with contorted branches, plates piled high with locally grown food and munching on midnight pizza from the wood oven.
We have accommodation to suit the modern world escapee- 3 huts and 3 houses (sleeping 30 in total)- perfect for those who fancy themselves running a micro-farm, switching off from their digital dependence and taking a deep breath of Perthshire air.
We are a small, mainly family based, team- who are pretty laid back and want to build “work” into our lifestyle.
WHERE DOES GUARDSWELL WANT TO GO…?
We are so bursting with ideas, and we’re now at a point where we can’t do it all ourselves and need a bit of a helping hand. We like it wild- but we also love little corners of the farm to be beautifully looked after, teeming with bees and butterflies and secret havens for our guests to enjoy. We feel we are at the point where we need a dedicated member of the team to look after our precious outdoor spaces- and someone who really holds the same values as us.
If that person is also interested in running workshops- whether its propagation for beginners, or Kids Grow Club- we would be thrilled!!
AN INTRO TO THE ROLE
Guardswell Farm are looking for a brilliant, imaginative and hard working Groundskeeper come Gardener to join our energetic and enthusiastic team. The role will be responsible for all of the managed outdoor spaces on the farm enjoyed by our guests- from the gardens of the houses, to the Steading lawns and borders, the Kailyard garden and glasshouse, strimming of paths, maintaining gravelled paths and areas, and generally keeping the place looking b-e-a-utiful! You’ll work alongside the rest of the time to ensure we always provide the best experience for our guests on the farm, as well as ensuring all spaces are safe- and highlighting any risks, as well as working in a conscientious and considerate manner towards onsite guests.
Guardswell is a chemical free farm and site- therefore, there is no use of weedkiller. We are also careful and considerate with regards to when we strim and cut certain areas to allow them to be of the most use for the animals and bugs that call the farm home. This obviously makes path and gravel care a little more time intensive. This role really requires someone who is passionate about the environment and doing everything within their power to have a positive impact.
If qualifications are appropriate- there would also be some use of a utv and flail mower on wider areas of the farm. Possibility of being put through training for this for the right candidate.
WHAT IS THE JOB… ?
We are looking for someone who can help us develop and improve Guardswells’ grounds. They need to keep biodiversity and “gardening for nature” at the forefront of their minds (native planting, meadows, woodlands etc), whilst balancing that with creating visually appealing spaces for guests and visitors to enjoy, that are neat and tidy in the appropriate places.
We are looking for someone who can view the farm as a canvas upon which to paint, as well as improve for the wild flora and fauna that we share it with. Someone who can spot the little corners and see their potential. Someone who knows the value of the “wild” sitting next to the pristine. A gardener who relishes in providing surprises around every corner.
- Creating a plan for Guardswells’ grounds and gardens
- Breaking the plan down into projects and timelines
- Budgeting and future forecast budgeting of projects
- Implement the plans with the farms core values at the centre
- Day to day management, maintenance and improvement of the gardens
- Ensuring that all spaces are looking great for guests- in both the Steading and the Huts + Houses
- Organic principles upheld, gardening for nature, encourage biodiversity
- An interest in alternative/trial growing styles- for example hugelculture, permaculture, forest gardens
- Propagation of seedlings/plants where-ever possible
- Lawn care
- Interest in vegetable growing and potager gardens would be brilliant
- Responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of garden tools and machinery
- Responsible for garden Health and Safety- ensuring tasks are completed in a safe manner
- Improving all areas of Guardswell to be visually appealing and practical for purpose
- Should have an excellent understanding of horticultural techniques, plant id, and gardening for wildlife
- Work effectively and flexibly in a small team
Current areas to maintain:
• Hut + house gardens
• Greenhouse + Kailyard Garden
• Woodland to Pendicle
• Banks around Steading and Carpark
• Meadow
• Driveway banking
• Pots/planters
• All paths and areas used by guests
Potential within the role:
• Cutting garden
• Naturalistic Planting- banking/swathes
• Meadow walks
• Orchard
• Fruit growing
• Forest walks and Gardens
• Herb Gardens for each hut
• Improve walk ways
• Extend Farmhouse garden/Ha-Ha
• The list is endless…
Other opportunities:
• To be involved in/organise/run growing workshops- predominantly targeted at childrenbut also gardening for mental health support, care gardening, social gardening.
• To create short information videos and content for social media.
• To set up a volunteering scheme alongside Guardswell Grows.
• Orchard pruning and harvest, supporting Diggers Fine Cider and the 2,000 apple tree orchard on the farm
Role information:
Full time
Flexible working days and times- with care taken to ensure spaces are looking good for specific dates (weddings, events etc) as well as working alongside diary/change over times where required for accommodation and steading bookings.
28 days holiday per year.
Seasonal hours- longer hours in Summer months and shorter in Winter. Details can be provided.
Salary dependant on experience- between £27,000-£29,000.
Sole responsibility for the gardens/grounds, however, a brilliant team to work alongside at Guardswell Farm and Guardswell Grows
Ideally to start as soon as possible.
Reckon you fancy being part of Team Guardswell…? If so, please send something (a diagram, a video, a CV, maybe even a poem- whatever you feel will show us who you are) to...
hello@guardswell.co.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Head on over to our website www.guardswell.co.uk, or our Instagram account @guardswellfarm to get more of a feel.
