Interview questions for head gardener roles

Head-gardener interviews usually blend practical questions with a tour of the grounds. Expect to be asked how you'd sequence a year's maintenance, how you'd manage a budget, and how you handle staff.

Common questions

• Walk us through your seasonal plan for a mixed border.
• How do you choose plants for a north-facing, heavy-clay site?
• Tell us about a time you managed a difficult team member.
• How do you control weeds without relying on glyphosate?

What they reveal Practical questions test real knowledge — not textbook recall. Talk through your reasoning out loud. If you don't know something, say how you'd find out. Estate managers value judgement and steady hands as much as certificates.

Bring a portfolio of before-and-after photos if you have them.