Apprentice Gardener and Groundsperson

Summary

Join Deakin Oak as a gardening apprentice and work with professionals trained at Plumpton College. Help manage 150+ acres of gardens across East Sussex, balancing customer needs with nature. Learn from experts passionate about conservation and meaningful design. We are proud members of The Gardeners Guild.

Wage

£11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

There will be the potential for bonuses based on performance.

Training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 08:30 to 16:00.

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 21 July 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Day to day duties will vary but will include:

Getting hands-on with planting, preparing the soil, and setting up garden beds with techniques that make plants thrive.
Trimming and shape shrubs and trees to keep them healthy and looking great while helping the overall balance of the garden.
Taking care of lawns by mowing, edging, or aerating to keep the grass lush and neat.
Learning about composting and mulching, turning waste into rich soil and keeping the gardens nourished and protected.
Going with the flow of the seasons - whether it’s planting spring flowers, maintaining summer greenery, or prepping gardens for winter, there’s always something exciting to do.

Where you'll work

LAVENDER COTTAGE
RINGLES CROSS
UCKFIELD
TN22 1HF

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

PLUMPTON COLLEGE

Your training course

Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

(Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).
(Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.
(Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
(Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
(Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
(Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
(Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
(Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
(Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
(Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
(Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
(Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
(Core) Install turf for situation.
(Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
(Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
(Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.
(Landscape construction) Measure and set out an uncomplicated site in preparation for landscape construction activities.
(Landscape construction) Use free hand cutting and or bench cutting of hard landscape materials using abrasive wheels.
(Landscape construction) Repair constructed landscape features (simple and noncomplex) for example re-grouting, re-sanding, damaged fencing.
(Landscape construction) Construct paved feature for example path, patio or shed base. Including setting levels, sub bases, laying bases, finishing.
(Landscape construction) Construct vertical landscape features including fences, ornamental vertical features, and walls.
(Landscape construction) Install drainage in landscaping.
(Landscape construction) Construct horizontal landscape features (excluding paving).
(Horticulture) Propagate plants by cuttings and seed sowing (this might be indoors or outdoors). Including selection of suitable growing media and or soil.
(Horticulture) Provide aftercare to recently installed turf and maintain established turf or species rich meadows including irrigation, maintenance, monitoring health and protection from use.
(Horticulture) Identify if plants are suitable to site, purpose and aesthetics.
(Horticulture) Maintain soft landscapes for example - staking or support, division, seasonal clearance, and re-planting.
(Horticulture) Monitor and control plant pests, pathogens, and disorders using basic control methods (including application of chemicals or organic equivalents).
(Horticulture) Plant herbaceous and seasonal planting (for example bedding, herbs or bulbs).
(Horticulture) Prune plants to achieve healthy growth and form (including natural habit and formal or trained form).
(Core) Apply health and safety processes and procedures including risk assessments and or construction design management (CDM), manual handling, legislative requirements and organisational policies. Follow safe systems of work and safety information in line with employer requirements or site context (for example clearing their route before transporting materials).
(Core) Apply environmental mitigation measures including storage and disposal of waste, for example sorting materials for recycling or composting, acting in compliance with legal requirements, organisational policies and pollution controls.
(Core) Select, undertake a pre start check, set up, clean, store and safely operate tools, equipment and machinery (including pedestrian controlled and handheld) in line with current legislation and business policies.
(Core) Communicate with technical (for example supervisors or managers) and non-technical audiences (for example clients or the public) using language appropriate to the audience.
(Core) Identify plants commonly grown in the UK by scientific names including genus species and or cultivar.
(Core) Maintain the correct phytosanitary and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with legal requirements.
(Core) Identify and report symptoms and or signs of commonly found UK plant pests, pathogens and disorders.
(Core) Maintain plant health for example providing for basic needs such as water, nutrition (either organic or inorganic), light.
(Core) Cultivate, improve and preserve soils by mechanical methods and or by hand including amelioration and mulching (these might be imported or natural).
(Core) Clear unwanted vegetation, selecting techniques to be used (for example weeding).
(Core) Remove unwanted or damaged growth from plants using a pruning cut.
(Core) Plant shrubs and a tree using a simple tree pit.
(Core) Install turf for situation.
(Core) Mow turf using pedestrian controlled powered driven mower.
(Core) Maintain or protect hard surfaces, features or structures for example painting, re-gravelling, removing weeds from paving, drain clearance, cleaning.
(Core) Use digital tools and techniques for research, collaboration, continuous professional development and resolution of problems.

Your training plan

Training will occur at Plumpton College for one day per week during term time.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Team working
Physical fitness
Reliable
Adaptable
Punctual
Strong work ethic
Willingness to learn

Other requirements

Having access to your own transport is highly recommended due to our rural location. Much of the work is outside in all weathers. The work itself will be quite physical. Our yard is based in Cross-in Hand, TN21, but we work in various locations around Uckfield and Heathfield depending on where our clients are based.

About this company

Deakin Oak is a team of dedicated professionals who take great pride in managing the outdoor spaces and gardens of the Weald, and East Sussex. With expertise in conservation, ecology, horticulture and estate management, we understand the importance of creating outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and sustainable. We believe that a well-maintained outdoor space should not only look beautiful, but also do its part to support the local ecosystem. By balancing the needs of people and nature, Deakin Oak creates outdoor spaces that are a joy to be in and contribute positively to the environment.

Company benefits

You will be able to attend various company events when they occur.

After this apprenticeship

To become a full time member of the team with further traininig in specialisations.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: