I've seen ads in 'Horticulture' magazine and trade publications in the past.

Colleges, universities and institutes often have job boards that attract experienced people in addition to recent graduates. I'm putting the link to the Stockbridge School (University of Massachusetts' landscape-horticulture-ag program) so you get an idea of the types of jobs listed, and how the employers write them. You might find it to be helpful.

As an aside, I have noted several local ads seeking estate gardeners, but was turned off by them because they were written in a condescending way -- They wanted a gardener who was knowledgeable in all aspects of horticulture, greenhouse management, koi pond care, floral and indoor plant arrangement and a number of other arts-crafts-skills, but then ended the ad with "Must work quickly and be able to follow orders." If they had put that first, no respectable gardener-horticulturist would have finished reading the ad.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stockbridge School Job Board

I feel for you, really I do. Finding good help of any kind is hard, and even more so when you more precisely what you want within a highly specialized field.

As far as where to seek applicants, I might try cointacting the American Association of Botanic Garden and Arboretea and trying to place an ad in their monthly newsletter.

As far as internet job boards, hortjobs (.com) seems to be as good as anything else I've found.

Don't overlook the local schools with horticulture programs. Most of these people are not necessarily estate gardener types, but it costs only a stamp or an email to contact them, and they'll keep the job posted until you tell them to take it down.

Otherwise, perhaps it may be time to relax your expectations and allow yourself to be surprised by someone whom you ordinarily wouldn't expect. Never words you want to hear as an employer, but sometimes, you settle for a warm body, provide some direction, and allow them the change to fall. As long as they fall on their face, they are going in the right direction.

If I were looking for a good photogrpaher, I['d ask the custom developing labs.

If you are looking for gardeners, start asking specialty nurseries for names.

you might post on metrohort.org. mostly for nyc garden/landscape pros, i've seen listings for old westbury gardens and planting fields arboretum listed here before. good luck.

I'm an Estate Gardener. When I was looking for a job I would avoid ads that were geared toward yard maintenance as that is not where my experience lies. I am strictly a gardener. I leave the mowing, shrub pruning, lawn raking and such to the 'yard care' team (which is actually the caretaker and his assistant) This arrangement seems to work perfectly for us because he doesn't have the patience nor the knowledge to take care of the small particulars in keeping a garden beautiful and healthy. Since I have had this position I have had several people ask me how they could find jobs like mine. They are usually 40+ females that are experienced, dependable and eager to work. I think this is the best source of employees for a gardener.

I also have found that most employers want someone that can 'do it all'. They have to realize that a person may try to do it all but in trying to accomplish this the quality of work may be lost.

I agree with with flowerchild. As a professional gardener I also do not respond to "do it all" ads.
I would also ask the local university extention service about the Master Gardeners group in that area.They usually have a newsletter and perhaps you can place an ad in it or ask their office personel.
Jackie

NYBG School of Professional Horticulture job board.

flowerchild said the "40+ females that are experienced, dependable and eager to work" are "the best source of employees for a gardener. " I agree, yet whenever I have come across local ads for estate gardeners, they say something like "must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds," or 75 pounds, and one I saw yesterday specified 100 pounds. Now, a lot of these 40+ women weigh only 120 pounds, and (even though some lift weights) it seems unreasonable to ask them to carry 40 to 80 percent of their weight as a regular job requirement. Furthermore, experienced gardeners can move lots of material efficiently without having to lift and carry, and without injuring themselves.

So, along with the phrase cady mentioned, "Must work quickly and be able to follow orders," the ad itself can weed out most of the people who might be the best fit for the job, assuming the job values knowledge, experience, foresight, and planning over brawn and blind obedience.

Go to domestic employment agency. This is where I got my best estate job as an employee. I am soon going to get back into my private estate work again sence getting laid off at the state college I was working at. My 15 years as a landscape specialist at Disney World,gets me anything I'm looking for in the field. If you were in the orlando area I would say lets get together and talk, but some like it cold and some like it hot and I love my tropical landscaping here. I used to live in NY. and moved here in 1981 and have been enjoying it ever sence.
Good luck in your search, I know you'll find someone!

theorlandogardener@yahoo.com

While you most likely have filled this position since your posting, I would still be very interested in finding out if the person you have hired has adequately filled the position.

I am an experienced Estate Gardener on Long Island and after spending a number of exciting/educational years as a Landscape and Garden Designer, I am once again interested in pursuing a career as an Estate Gardener. I've thoroughly enjoyed these past years of creating beautiful landscapes and gardens, but of the two processes (creating and maintaining), I've learned that I enjoy the maintenance and maturation process more.

Additionally, I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate an Estate Management position with Estate Gardener Supervisory responsiblities.

steve1young@yahoo.com

Try clicking on 'My Page', where you can e-mail them directly.

Hi I have a Horticulture Bachelor degree and I live in Texas! I am more than willing to relocate! And I just got back from a vaca in NYC!!! I love y’all New Yorkers lol and Omg if you are looking for help, I’m more than willing to get back to work! You can email me Ashleybarg@hotmail.com Ilook forward to hearing from you, thank you for your article too, it was helpful 😉🤓🌸👍🌈