Gardener

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Start Date: March Compensation: $18 - $25

This is a great opportunity for exposure to building out a garden from beginning to end. You’ll learn the design process, procuring the softscape (along with some hardscaping), installation, basic irrigation and maintenance. As you enter the season we’ll make sure professional goals you set for yourself can be achieved. Some of these might include learning about tree pruning, disease management, ongoing maintenance and opening and closing down gardens for the winter.

The job is seasonal, from March through November. It’s full-time, from 35 - 40 hours a week. Flexible with time off as long as we plan ahead for it. On-site work will be solo or with a small crew. For this reason, you need to be a self starter but there’s still support! The season begins with opening up gardens in the spring, moving into planting and basic installation, followed up with maintenance.

Responsibilities/Duties

Opening up gardens in the spring (weeding, new mulch, cutting back grasses, pruning, disease management, etc.)
On-going plant maintenance which includes weeding, pruning, disease prevention/management, training climbers, and more.
Getting to know the garden layout and exactly what needs to be done for each client (all of our gardens are different and individualized).
Utilizing a planting plan, helping with some hardscaping, and comfortable with substitutions if needed.
Help with coordinating plant deliveries, installations, and possibly picking up plants and materials from local nurseries.

Qualifications/Requirements

Passionate about horticulture.
Even if experience is limited, the desire to learn more and being open to increasing knowledge is essential.
Positive, motivated, and ability to quickly shift gears on a project if needed. This can happen a lot: plants not available, rush projects, unexpected disease management.
Calm demeanor. You’ll need to handle the unexpected and feel comfortable with change.
Excellent time management.
Need to carry up to 50 lbs of materials.
Some horticultural training is preferred, but we are willing to work with the right candidate if it’s a good fit.
Excellent work ethic.

Additional Information

Balance of personal lives and work
Set schedule of maintenance - some variance on project installations
No work on weekends or holidays
We start at 8 am to end by 4 pm

Contact Information

Swale Designs
Contact Name: Lise Engber
Email: lise@swaledesigns.com
Phone: 206-321-0228