Location: Sebastopol, CA (Client properties across Sonoma County)
Employment type: Full-time (Monday through Thursday. No Fridays or Weekends.)
Compensation: Competitive w/benefits and vehicle mileage reimbursement to second sites.
About the role
Professional Tree Care is seeking an experienced Estate Garden Manager to establish and maintain high-end edible gardens for private clients in Sonoma County. Reporting to a professional landscape designer, you will lead garden installations, manage ongoing care, supervise seasonal teams or contractors, and ensure gardens remain beautiful, productive, and ecologically resilient.
Key responsibilities
- Collaborate with our designer, and then install edible gardens (vegetable beds, herbs, fruit trees, berry patches, espalier, container plantings, soil amendments, irrigation).
- Lead, train, and schedule a small and growing crew of gardeners and coordinate with landscape/hardscape contractors when needed.
- Manage seasonal planting schedules, crop rotations, succession planting, and harvest coordination.
- Implement and maintain organic, regenerative practices: composting, compost tea, soil building, integrated pest management, mulching, water-wise techniques.
- Identify, monitor, and control pests, diseases, and weeds using least-toxic strategies.
- Identify and differentiate native, desirable, invasive, and nuisance plants and weeds common to Sonoma County; remove or manage as needed.
- Maintain irrigation systems (installation, troubleshooting, seasonal adjustments).
- Maintain accurate garden logs, planting maps, and client communications; provide seasonal recommendations and reports.
- Prepare properties for special events or client visits; ensure exceptional presentation and plant health.
- Work with marketing to take Before-and-After photos of gardens we renovate, and projects you believe belong on our website.
- Follow safety protocols and keep tools, equipment, and storage areas organized.
Required qualifications
- 5+ years professional gardening/horticulture experience, with substantial fieldwork establishing and maintaining edible gardens.
- Demonstrated knowledge of edible plants, fruit trees, vines, and seasonal production in Mediterranean climates.
- Proven ability to identify regional weeds, native species, and common pests/diseases in Sonoma County.
- Strong soil management skills: composting, soil testing interpretation, amendments, and cover cropping.
- Experience with drip irrigation systems, timers, and seasonal water management.
- Leadership experience supervising small crews
- Excellent communication skills; comfort interacting directly with high-end private clients.
- Physical stamina for regular fieldwork (lifting, digging, kneeling, working outdoors in variable weather).
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Schedule & Compensation
- The hourly rate is $25.00-to-$30.00 per hour PLUS BENEFITS based on:
1) Your experience/number of years working in edible gardens.
2) Your academic background, degree or certification(s) in horticulture, permaculture or organic farming.
3) Your experience managing others: teaching/training, holding folks accountable, getting projects done on time.
4) Your ability to contribute to the design and execution of profitable projects.
5) Your fit with our existing team.
This is a full-time position schedule for a minimum of:
- 30 hours per week, Monday through Thursday. This team does not work on Fridays unless scheduled in advance for a special event.
- Overtime at between $37.50 and $45.00 per hour (for time over 8 hours)
- Worker’s Compensation starting on day one
- 401(k) participation
- A company cell phone for time-keeping purposes
- Health care after 90 days of employment with a 50% contribution by the company for Medical, Dental & Optical
- Paid sick leave: 5 days per year
- Paid holidays: 5 days per year
- PTO (Paid Time Off) accrued as one works
- Mileage reimbursement when asked to drive to a second location from your initial project.
Preferred
- Certifications in horticulture, permaculture, or organic farming.
- Experience with edible landscaping design and plant propagation.
- Familiarity with local nurseries, suppliers, and Sonoma County plant regulatory or nursery resources.
- First aid/CPR certification.
- Ability to speak Spanish.
How to apply
Upload your resume. If you have skills or experience required in this posting that are NOT on your resume, please provide a brief cover letter describing them. Please include information regarding your relevant experience and a short example (3–5 lines) of a past edible garden project you led — including scale, primary plants used, and any soil/irrigation strategies to jobs AT professionaltreecare DOT com. Include “Estate Garden Manager” in the subject line, please.
Equal opportunity
We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities.
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