September 2023

We’re hiring a full-time maintenance Gardener

to join our small but mighty gardening team

We’re looking for that special someone who has been working in the field for a few years, who wants to focus more on the plants and build their horticultural skills.

We use organic management techniques, healthy ecological functioning is a goal in our gardens, and seasonal flowering succession is a specialty. Work with us and you’ll learn about the art and craft of gardening as well as a whole lot of new plants.

We do regular maintenance work in residential gardens; no commercial properties, no lawns or endless leaf collecting. Our clients are mostly based in the Oak Bay, Uplands and Gordon Head neighbourhoods but we do occasionally travel further afield for special projects. HQ is in Fernwood.

Compensation is competitive and is based on relevant training and experience; the starting range is $25-$30/hr. Full medical and dental benefits are offered after a successfully completed 90-day trial period, and we provide educational opportunities and skills enrichment throughout the year.

Requirements

  • horticultural training

  • min. 2-3 years work experience in horticulture

  • good general plant knowledge

  • ability to identify common garden plants, and knowledge of their cultural requirements

  • must be fit and able to lift 50 lbs.

  • ability to operate small battery-powered equipment: blower, strimmer, hedging shears

  • a current BC driver's license in good standing

  • positive, personable, organized, efficient

What would set you apart

  • you’re a plant nut who loves to read about plants & visit gardens & plant nurseries

  • familiarity with organic maintenance techniques

  • ability to i.d. native plants and knowledge of their cultural requirements

  • you like growing cut flowers

  • interest in succession planting

  • familiarity with irrigation system operation, repair, troubleshooting

For a glimpse at some of our projects:

Company website:  www.susanneosmond.com

Instagram:  @susanneosmond and @gardenerskit

 

Please apply by email to info@susanneosmond.com with:

  1. Your resume.

  2. A minimum of 2 horticulture-related references.

  3. A letter outlining your interest in the position.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we will only be contacting short-listed applicants.

Susanne Osmond Garden Design

About me

I have operated my own business as a gardener and designer for over 20 years and designed and installed many of the gardens where we do maintenance work. I often continue to be involved in the ongoing development and management of the gardens I design, which creates a satisfying level of continuity and understanding in the garden’s development. Being able to watch the way plants develop, and where and why they succeed, has vastly increased my knowledge as a gardener and a designer.

Over the past decade, I made several trips to the UK for work practicums and short courses at Great Dixter in East Sussex (if you don’t know this garden, have a look at the journal posts below). These trips have really enriched my gardening and planting design skills. I make an effort to pass these skills on to my crew.

https://www.susanneosmond.com/blog/a-week-at-great-dixter

https://www.susanneosmond.com/blog/back-to-great-dixter-february-2015.

As you might guess, my interests and enthusiasms mean that many of my gardens require a fairly high level of horticultural finesse. We do a lot of seasonal inter-planting and some plant propagation; there is a good variety of horticultural work throughout the year and a challenging range of plant material.