Horticulturist
12 days ago
Jacksonville
Job Description PRIVATE ESTATE HORTICULTURIST / HEAD GARDENER Location: Jacksonville / St. Augustine, Florida Position Type: Full-Time, Long-Term Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience ($70,000+) Position Overview A private, detail-oriented household is seeking a highly skilled Estate Horticulturist / Head Gardener to oversee the full-time care and development of a 3-acre residential estate (over 200 fruit trees). This is a hands-on, autonomous role for a professional who takes pride in maintaining land to exceptional standards and has a deep understanding of fruit trees, edible gardens, soil health, and organic growing practices. The ideal candidate is not a landscaper, but a true experienced horticulturist—someone who understands how to cultivate, manage, and elevate a property over time according to the principles vision. Perfect for a previous estate horticulturist or professor/teacher of horticulture or permaculture who are looking to make a career change and simply life. We are looking for someone who can catch the vision of the property, add to it, beautify it and maintain it. A bonus would be if you’re also a creative who also loves sketching ideas, working on landscape designs, and computer savvy (create a feeding schedule for trees, documenting problems, etc). Core Responsibilities Property & Grounds Stewardship • Maintain all aspects of the estate grounds to a consistently high standard, • Manage turf, ornamental areas, and natural spaces with attention to detail and seasonal needs, • Identify and proactively address issues before they become visible problems Orchard & Edible Garden Management • Prune, feed, and maintain fruit trees (citrus, stone fruit, tropicals, berries, etc.), • Oversee vegetable gardens, planting cycles, and harvest schedules, • Implement and maintain organic / no-spray growing systems and gardening, • Manage composting, mulching, and soil-building practices Equipment Operation & Maintenance • Operate and maintain equipment including tractor, mower, and small machinery, • Perform light mechanical upkeep and coordinate servicing when needed Irrigation & Soil Health • Monitor and adjust irrigation systems for efficiency and plant health, • Understand soil composition, nutrient needs, and amendment strategies, • Apply fertilizers and organic inputs appropriately and safely Planning & Autonomy • Independently manage daily, weekly, and seasonal priorities, • Develop and execute long-term improvement plans for the property, • Maintain a clean, organized, and well-functioning workspace Growth & Creative Opportunity • Opportunity to design and expand orchard and garden systems, • Contribute to long-term vision including layout, crop selection, and regenerative practices, • Ability to implement systems that improve soil health, yield, and overall property beauty Qualifications & Experience • 10+ years experience preferred (5+ years minimum) in horticulture, estate gardening, or similar role, • Strong knowledge of:, • Fruit tree care and pruning cycles, • Vegetable gardening and crop rotation, • Organic / regenerative growing practices, • Soil health and nutrient management, • Irrigation, • Experience operating tractors and property equipment, • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, • Strong attention to detail and pride in workmanship Ideal Candidate Profile • Self-directed and highly organized, • Observant and proactive (not reactive), • Takes ownership of the property as if it were their own, • Values cleanliness, order, and precision To ensure the right long-term fit for both parties, finalists may be invited to participate in a paid trial period (typically 3–5 days) on the property. During this trial, candidates may be asked to: • Demonstrate pruning/grafting techniques on select trees, • Assess plant health and identify issues or opportunities, • Perform light equipment operation, • Walk the property and provide observations and improvement ideas The trial is designed to evaluate: • Practical skill level, • Attention to detail, • Work ethic and organization, • Ability to think independently and proactively, • And most importantly, determine if you are the right fit for the family Compensation & Benefits • Competitive salary based on experience, • Long-term, stable position, • Flexible structure for the right candidate Additional Notes This is a career opportunity, not a seasonal or crew-based position. The goal is to build a long-term relationship with a professional who can elevate and maintain the estate at a high level over time. Open to helping with relocation expenses for the right person.