Gardener's workable acreage

kscaballard

Hi Everyone,
                     I have worked on some large estates and unfortunately they seem to operate the whole setting with just 1 gardener then complain when it doesn't look its best. This includes grass cutting/strimming (stripes, takes 2 days total), pond care, greenhouse, kitchen garden (1,400 sqm) & large shrub borders and so forth - too much to list.
What is the estimated recommended acreage that a gardener can manage on his own? I know that this will depend on many factors.

Any suggestions please, would be appreciated.

Hostafan1

My garden is 7.6 acres and I do it all myself, but it's never perfect

Hostafan1

Welcome to the Forum. 
Seriously, I used to be a gardener. I feel your pain. 
I once said to a client who contstantly pointed out stuff which needed done:
" If you had an infinite amount of money you were prepared to spend on your garden, and I had an infinite amount to time to spend on it, everything would be done. As neither situation exists , we just have to prioritise and do what we can within the budget and time constrains" 
She never mentioned it again.

kscaballard

Thanks Hostafan1 for your comments.
I don't know what the ground acreage is but it must be over 40. There is also a walled garden which is over 3000 sqm with large borders going around the outsides with tennis court and outside swimming pool.

Dovefromabove

Sounds like the place where @WonkyWomble once worked … they had several staff … extra in the spring and summer… but still they were always running to catch up. 

Hostafan1

They're having a laugh. 
Ask them to priorities what jobs they want done. 
Impossible to generalise, but sounds like they're just taking the P.

Busy-Lizzie

Crikey! Far too much for 1 gardener. I found 1 acre a handful, though I managed it when I was younger. Monty Don has 2 full time gardeners as well as him, 2 acres.

Busy-Lizzie

I think there are 6 acres at Great Dixter and 9 gardeners work there, but I don't know if they are full time.

East Ruston Old Vicarage, Norfolk is 32 acres and employs 3 full time gardeners and the 2 owners.

kscaballard

Thank you Busy-Lizzie and Dovefromabove.
This place is in Berkshire.
Money is not an object to these people so I cannot understand why they are so off reality and expect one person to do it all, furthermore with disabilities (protected characteristic's) which they have been told about.

Hostafan1

kscaballard said:

Thank you Busy-Lizzie and Dovefromabove.
This place is in Berkshire.
Money is not an object to these people so I cannot understand why they are so off reality and expect one person to do it all, furthermore with disabilities (protected characteristic's) which they have been told about.

Folk are rich because they haven't spent all their money. 

kscaballard

Thanks for everyone's comments so far. 
Even though I have disabilities I can still cope to do the work but not the extensive workload which has been given.
Any more comments on gardener's workable acreage would be greatly appreciated.