Position Summary

Lerch Brothers, LLC, a premier landscape construction and maintenance company in northern Baltimore County, is seeking a knowledgeable and passionate Fine Gardener to join our estate management team. This role is dedicated to the meticulous care, maintenance, and enhancement of the garden beds, plantings, and focal points on our clients' luxury properties. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of horticulture, a sharp eye for detail, and a proactive approach to plant health and aesthetics. If you love working hands-on with beautiful plant palettes and take pride in cultivating pristine outdoor spaces, we want you on our team.

Key Responsibilities

Horticultural Care & Maintenance

• Plant Identification: Utilize expert plant identification skills to recognize a wide variety of perennials, annuals, shrubs, and ornamental trees, understanding the specific cultural needs of each.
• Pruning & Trimming: Execute precise hand-pruning, structural shaping, and deadheading of shrubs and perennials to encourage healthy growth and maintain aesthetic form.
• Weeding & Bed Detail: Perform thorough weeding and meticulous detailing of garden beds, ensuring properties maintain a flawless, high-end appearance at all times.
• Watering Management: Hand-water delicate plantings, newly installed beds, and container gardens, ensuring appropriate moisture levels based on plant species and seasonal weather patterns.

Planting & Enhancements

• Installation: Expertly plant and transplant small shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, and seasonal annual displays according to landscape designs.
• Soil Health: Amend soil as needed with compost, fertilizers, and mulch to create optimal growing conditions for new and existing plantings.

Insect & Pest Management

• Scouting & Diagnosis: Routinely inspect plants for signs of stress, disease, or insect damage.
• Treatment Application: Implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, safely and effectively applying appropriate treatments (organic or traditional) to mitigate pests and diseases.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Horticultural Expertise: Proven experience in professional gardening, horticulture, or fine landscape maintenance, with strong plant ID knowledge tailored to the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Physical Requirements: Must have the physical stamina to work outdoors in varying Maryland weather conditions (heat, humidity, cold) and the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds (e.g., bags of soil, mulch, plant material).
• Driving & Insurance: A valid driver’s license with a clean driving record is strictly required. You must be eligible to be insured under our company’s commercial auto insurance policy.
• Attention to Detail: A highly meticulous approach to garden care, treating every client's property as if it were a botanical garden.
• Professionalism: Excellent communication skills and a courteous demeanor suited for interacting with high-end clientele and coordinating with our construction and maintenance crews.
• Licenses/Certifications: A Maryland Pesticide Applicator’s License (or willingness to obtain one) is highly preferred.

Pay: $22.00 - $30.00 per hour

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person