gardener

Curo Help Gardener - Gardens of Distinction. Perfectly Maintained, Worldwide.

Elite gardeners and horticultural specialists — creating and caring for extraordinary landscapes at private estates, villas, and retreats across the globe.

We provide world-class gardeners to manage and enhance the landscapes of the world’s most distinguished properties. From historic estates to contemporary residences, our gardeners combine deep horticultural knowledge with an eye for beauty and refinement. With discretion, precision, and a passion for excellence, they ensure every outdoor space reflects the elegance and lifestyle of its owner.

Estate & Formal Garden Care – Immaculate upkeep of lawns, borders, parterres, and water features.
Horticultural Expertise – Skilled care for rare plants, exotic species, and heritage collections.
Landscape Management – Oversight of woodlands, orchards, vineyards, and large-scale grounds.
Seasonal Design & Planting – Tailored planting schemes that reflect the rhythms of the year.
Sustainability & Conservation – Eco-conscious practices to preserve soil health, biodiversity, and natural beauty.
Specialist Care – Maintenance of greenhouses, topiary, rose gardens, and botanical features.

A world-class estate deserves gardens of timeless beauty.
Our elite gardeners ensure your landscapes are meticulously cared for, season after season, anywhere in the world.

types of gardeners available

1. General / Domestic Gardener
• Performs routine garden maintenance: mowing, pruning, weeding, and watering.
• Maintains flower beds, lawns, and seasonal planting.
• Works in smaller estates or as part of a larger gardening team.

2. Head / Estate Gardener
• Oversees the entire garden team and large grounds.
• Plans landscaping, manages planting schedules, and supervises estate gardeners or groundsmen.
• Ensures gardens reflect luxury and high aesthetic standards.

3. Specialist Plant / Botanical Gardener
• Focuses on rare, exotic, or high-maintenance plants.
• May work in greenhouses, conservatories, or private collections.
• Skilled in propagation, climate control, and plant health management.

4. Landscape / Designer Gardener
• Combines gardening with landscape design expertise.
• Plans layouts, seasonal displays, water features, and outdoor living spaces.
• Often collaborates with architects, estate managers, or landscapers.

5. Organic / Edible Gardener
• Specialises in vegetable gardens, orchards, herbs, and edible plants.
• Ensures high-quality produce for household consumption.
• May integrate permaculture or organic gardening practices.

6. Travel / Multi-Residence Gardener
• Maintains gardens across multiple residences or seasonal properties.
• Ensures continuity in plant care, aesthetics, and maintenance routines.
• Often required for UHNW families with international estates.

7. Seasonal / Temporary Gardener
• Provides short-term coverage during peak planting seasons or estate events.
• Skilled in seasonal planting, pruning, and landscape preparation.

8. Specialist Feature Gardener
• Focuses on specific elements of the estate:
o Water features, fountains, and ponds
o Formal topiary or sculptural gardens
o Exotic or heritage gardens
• Adds bespoke expertise to maintain luxury estate standards.

In luxury estates, gardeners often work as part of a team led by a head gardener, with each specialist ensuring the property maintains perfect presentation year-round.

Primary gardener Duties

Planting and Maintenance

Planting flowers, shrubs, trees, and seasonal vegetables

Pruning, trimming, and deadheading plants to encourage growth

Mulching, fertilizing, and conditioning soil

Watering plants manually or maintaining irrigation systems

Lawn Care

Mowing, edging, and aerating lawns

Applying fertilizers and weed control products

Reseeding and patching bare areas

Leaf blowing and seasonal lawn cleanup

Weed, Pest, and Disease Control

Identifying and removing weeds

Monitoring and treating for pests and plant diseases

Using chemical or organic treatments safely and responsibly

Garden Design and Planning (Advanced Roles)

Planning seasonal planting schemes

Designing and installing flower beds or borders

Advising on plant selection and layout

Coordinating with landscape architects (if applicable)

Tool and Equipment Maintenance

Cleaning and sharpening gardening tools

Servicing lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, and other machinery

Ensuring safe storage and proper use of tools and chemicals

Other Property Maintenance Duties (Optional/As Requested)

Maintaining greenhouses, sheds, or compost areas

Clearing pathways, patios, and driveways

Setting up irrigation and drainage systems

Caring for garden furniture and decor

Assisting with snow removal or leaf collection (seasonal)

Soft Skills and Traits

Attention to detail

Strong knowledge of plants and local climate conditions

Physical stamina and comfort working outdoors

Time management and ability to work independently

Safety awareness (especially when using tools or chemicals)

Primary gardener Skills

Plant Knowledge

Identifying plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs

Understanding seasonal planting and bloom cycles

Knowledge of native, ornamental, edible, and climate-appropriate plants

Soil & Fertilizer Management

Testing and improving soil health

Knowing when and how to fertilize for different plant types

Composting and mulching

Pruning & Trimming

Proper cutting techniques for trees, hedges, shrubs, and perennials

Deadheading flowers and thinning out the growth to promote plant health

Lawn Care

Mowing, edging, aerating, and reseeding

Applying weed control, fertilizers, and treatments

Maintaining neat, healthy grass areas

Pest & Disease Control

Identifying common garden pests and plant diseases

Using safe chemical or organic treatment methods

Preventing infestations or spread of disease

Tool and Equipment Skills

Operating and maintaining hand tools and power equipment (e.g., lawn mowers, trimmers, chainsaws)

Safe use and storage of garden chemicals and tools

Troubleshooting and fixing irrigation systems (sprinklers, drip lines)

Design & Aesthetic Skills (Advanced or Estate Gardeners)

Landscape layout planning

Creating attractive planting schemes

Color and texture coordination for visual impact

Working with garden lighting or decorative features

Gardener Personal / Soft Skills

Attention to Detail – Ensures plants are cared for properly and the garden is neat

Physical Stamina – Required for long hours of bending, lifting, and outdoor work

Time Management – Important for seasonal tasks and routine maintenance

Problem-Solving – To diagnose plant issues or irrigation problems quickly

Independence – Many gardening roles are self-directed with minimal supervision

Reliability – Critical when managing private estates or formal gardens

Essential gardener Qualifications

Basic Education

High school diploma or equivalent is often preferred but not always required

A good grasp of reading, measurements, and safety procedures

Hands-On Experience

Practical gardening experience (e.g., private estates, nurseries, landscaping companies, volunteer work)

Strong references or a portfolio of past work is highly valued

Physical Fitness & Stamina

Ability to perform outdoor, physically demanding tasks in all weather

Lifting, digging, bending, and operating machinery safely

Recommended Certifications or Training

Horticulture Certificate/Diploma – Offered by many community colleges or gardening schools (e.g., RHS Level 2 in the UK)

Landscaping or Garden Design Courses – Useful for more advanced or aesthetic roles

Pesticide/Herbicide Application License – Often required for using chemicals legally and safely

Chainsaw, Tree, or Machinery Certification – For roles that involve hedge trimming, tree pruning, or heavy machinery

Irrigation System Training – For gardeners managing automated water systems

Valuable Knowledge Areas

Plant biology and identification

Soil science and composting

Pest and disease control (organic and chemical)

Seasonal garden maintenance and planning

Other Requirements (Job-Dependent)

Driver’s license (especially for mobile or estate gardeners)

First Aid certification (preferred on large properties or estates)

Background check (for private household positions)

Soft Skills to Back It Up

While not formal qualifications, employers highly value:

Reliability and strong work ethic

Ability to work independently

Good communication (especially in private households)

Attention to detail and pride in presentation

Gardener - Live in or Live Out

A gardener can be employed as either live-in or live-out, depending on the size of the property, the workload, and the preferences of both the employer and the gardener. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand each setup:

Live-In Gardener

A live-in gardener resides on the employer’s estate or property, usually in separate staff accommodation.

Typical Setup:

Often full-time or long-term employment

Usually, part of a larger estate or household staff team

Provided with housing (private room or cottage, often with utilities included)

Benefits:

Always available for urgent or seasonal tasks

Ideal for large estates, historic homes, or properties with complex gardens

Can respond to emergencies (e.g., storms, pests, broken irrigation)

Considerations:

Less personal privacy or separation between work and home

High expectations for flexibility, including weekends or special events

Employer must provide suitable living space

Live-Out Gardener

A live-out gardener lives independently and travels to the property to work on a scheduled basis (full-time, part-time, or seasonal).

Typical Setup:

Most common arrangement, especially for urban or smaller properties

Fixed hours (e.g., 2–5 days per week or seasonally)

May work for multiple clients

Benefits:

Clear work-life boundaries

Flexible for both employer and gardener

Easier to hire short-term or on contract

Considerations:

Not available outside scheduled hours unless arranged

Commuting time may affect punctuality or availability during bad weather

Less suitable for properties needing constant upkeep

Which Option is Best?

Large estate, formal garden, year-round work – Live-in may be better

Small gardens or just seasonal maintenance – Live-out may be better

Need for 24/7 access during certain months – Live-in may be better