Good grief Hostafan.. I have 5.5 acres and I wouldn't contemplate turning it all into garden, I rent most out to a local farmer! I manage about 1.5 acres badly, If I were full time I could manage that 1.5 acres well (including half an acre of vegetables) I have an "under gardener" who mows the lawns and helps with hedge cutting.
Yes a lot depends on what the mix is but even so. We visited several gardens in Scotland recently and I was surprised at how small most of the teams were, but the emphasis is on TEAMS. I think the minimum was 3 and all of them used either contractors ( for large jobs like hedges) & or students trainee's and voluntary staff. It's tricky especially if they are providing accommodation for you but you need a plan to show what could be achieved with the right resources. The gardening charity Perennial may be able to advise a strategy, they do far more than just help gardeners who can't work through illness or injury. www.perennial.org.uk
Thanks Allotment Boy. Unfortunately I work for an employer who she thinks she's right your wrong and her way not your's. As you can see this is an impossible working scenario and defeats any job satisfaction.
I think it very much depends on what sort of garden it is. A large area of woodland or wildflower meadow is likely to take a lot less time (averaged over a year) than a smaller area full of finely-mown lawns, neat clipped hedges, herbaceous borders, annual bedding, vegetables etc. It does sound as though they need to employ at least one more gardener.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Thanks Jenny, Total estate is around 600-800 acres. Total workable area is around 4-6 acres not 40, sorry everyone typing error without glasses.
There are very large borders consisting of around 350 sqm each, kitchen garden with fruit cage/small greenhouse 1435 sqm a walled garden with large borders all around the outside with tennis court and swimming pool 3030 sqm, large area lawns which are all striped with push mower plus wisteria and boston ivy on 3 sides of the mansion which are not allowed to cover windows plus large pond, 3 cottages to mow, strim, weedkill, too much to list. So yes definitely needs at least 1 more full-time and extra help through the growing season. In all my years I have never gone to a place which is so labour intensive than this one, so weedy.
My personal opinion - you're being 'taken a loan of', as we say here. She's got you over a barrel. Perhaps it's time to look elsewhere. I appreciate that isn't easy though, but if this is causing you stress, and anguish, it isn't worth it.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If you are looking for a number to use in negotiations with your employer, I don't think there can be something like that. It obviously depends on what's there (and from your description, it sounds like there is a lot). But if your employer has higher expectations than you can meet, she is free to find someone else. Some people have naturally high expectations (often for themselves too) and some go even further into unrealistic expectations. She is probably bound to be unhappy with whoever she will have there. Just tell her what you can do and what you can't and that's everything you can do.
That's why I suggested talking to Perennial, if you can involve a 3rd party she might listen a bit more. At 2 of the gardens we visited the owners were very involved and did as much as any of their employees in one case even more. I know it's not easy but you definitely need to look elsewhere.
Posts
10 rods is the standard size of an allotment plot.
I cope with half an acre, half fine lawn, half woods (with bluuebells - can't beat that). Don' try an herbaceous border.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Unfortunately I work for an employer who she thinks she's right your wrong and her way not your's. As you can see this is an impossible working scenario and defeats any job satisfaction.
Total estate is around 600-800 acres. Total workable area is around 4-6 acres not 40, sorry everyone typing error without glasses.
There are very large borders consisting of around 350 sqm each, kitchen garden with fruit cage/small greenhouse 1435 sqm a walled garden with large borders all around the outside with tennis court and swimming pool 3030 sqm, large area lawns which are all striped with push mower plus wisteria and boston ivy on 3 sides of the mansion which are not allowed to cover windows plus large pond, 3 cottages to mow, strim, weedkill, too much to list.
So yes definitely needs at least 1 more full-time and extra help through the growing season. In all my years I have never gone to a place which is so labour intensive than this one, so weedy.
She's got you over a barrel. Perhaps it's time to look elsewhere. I appreciate that isn't easy though, but if this is causing you stress, and anguish, it isn't worth it.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks for your reply appreciated.