Lead Gardener – Edible Gardens Sonoma County Full Time NEW

About the role

Professional Tree Care is seeking an experienced Lead Gardener 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 “Lead Garden, Sonoma” in the subject line, please.

Equal opportunity
We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities.