Apprentice Gardener
LITCHFIELD AND FOX GARDEN DESIGN
ARUNDEL (BN18 0AS)
Closes in 12 days (Friday 21 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 7 August 2026
Contents
Summary
Litchfield & Fox Garden Design has a fantastic opportunity for a hardworking and enthusiastic Apprentice Gardener to join their growing team. If you have a genuine passion for horticulture, want to learn from experienced horticulturists while gaining a Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship, they would love to hear from you.
- Wage
-
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Horticulture or landscape construction operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 7:30am - 4:30pm, with a 30-minute morning break and a 30-minute lunch break. College attendance at Brinsbury when required.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 5 October 2026
- 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
What you will gain:
- Working alongside our experienced horticulturists, you will receive practical, hands-on training in all aspects of professional garden maintenance and soft landscaping while studying towards your Level 2 Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship
- You'll gain valuable experience maintaining some of the most prestigious private gardens, estates and commercial landscapes across West Sussex
Key Responsibilities:
- Lawn mowing and lawn care
- Planting trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants
- Weeding and mulching
- Hedge cutting and pruning
- Soil cultivation and preparation
- Watering and irrigation
- Plant identification and aftercare
- Safe use of horticultural machinery and hand tools
- Assisting with soft landscaping projects
- Delivering high standards of workmanship and customer service
- Working safely as part of a professional team
Who you will be:
- Someone who has a passion for horticulture and outdoor work looking to build a career in the industry
- Someone who is not afraid of hard work or working in all weather conditions
- Someone who is physically fit and capable of fulfilling this demanding role which involves a lot of manual work
- Own transport will be essential so someone with a reliable way to get to work each day where public transport is limited
- Someone willing to learn and demonstrates a positive attitude and strong work ethic
Where you'll work
WALBERTON FARM
YAPTON LANE
WALBERTON
ARUNDEL
BN18 0AS
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP
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.
Training schedule
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Math (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Team working
- Creative
- Physical fitness
- Reliable
- Punctual
- Follows instructions
- Good Time Management
- Enthusiastic
- Motivated
- Honest
- Professional
Other requirements
What you need to know:
- Due to the rural location of our office and limited public transport, applicants must have a reliable way of travelling to and from work each day.
- This is a physically demanding role involving manual work and working outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Company uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided.
- A genuine interest in horticulture and a willingness to learn are essential.
- This is an 24-month apprenticeship plus a 4 month assessment period with learning starting in October 2026.
- Applicants need to be resident in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to the start of learning and have work authorisation for the UK.
- Applicants will not be eligible to apply if they have already achieved a qualification which is equal to or higher thank the apprenticeship standard on offer.
- Applicants should ideally be resident in the area local to the apprenticeship opportunity or be a sensible commuter distance to the Walberton address and the College campus.
- Applicants will be expected to commit to the learning and stay to the end of the apprenticeship.
- Study will be work based although some attendance will be required at Brinsbury College.
About this employer
With over 18 years established experience within the Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance industry, Litchfield and Fox pride themselves on delivering the highest standard of garden maintenance and have assisted many clients from large commercial enterprises and chains to private country homes and estates.
Dedicated to delivering every project with unmatched integrity, passion, and complete client satisfaction, they take the time to understand client’s vision, provide expert guidance at every stage, and ensure that every detail is executed to the highest standard. Their commitment is to create outdoor spaces that not only meet but exceed client expectations, reflecting both style and knowledge.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Successful completion of the apprenticeship could lead to a permanent full-time position with opportunities for ongoing training and career progression within Litchfield & Fox Gardens.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046612.
Apply now
Closes in 12 days (Friday 21 August 2026 at 11:59pm)