Join our team

People

Join our team

We’re a family-run business that values teamwork, care and a job well done. If that sounds like your kind of place, we’d love to hear from you.

Why Palmstead?

What sets Palmstead apart is the way we work together. We’re proud to be a family-run business with a strong team spirit. It’s the kind of place where people stay, grow, and genuinely care about what they do. Whether you're in the nursery, on the road, or supporting customers, you’ll be part of a team that values respect, reliability and a shared sense of purpose.

We offer proper training, opportunities to develop your skills, and the chance to be part of a business that is leading the way in sustainable horticulture. And because we care about getting things right, for our customers, the environment and each other, you’ll be doing work that really matters.

There’s a real sense of pride in what we grow and how we work. We aim for high standards, but we don’t lose sight of the people behind them. You’ll find support when you need it, space to grow your confidence, and a workplace where your contribution is genuinely valued, whether you're just starting out or bringing years of experience with you.

The benefits of working at Palmstead

Investment in employee wellbeing and infrastructure

The company continually reinvests in the nursery infrastructure, improving working conditions and streamlining or eliminating many arduous duties along the way.

Caring for employee comfort in all seasons

While we can’t control the weather, we do have measures in place to make the more extreme environmental conditions more bearable, with air conditioning in offices and welfare facilities in the summer (along with occasional ice creams!). We also provide good quality outer clothing and PPE, drying rooms, and somewhere warm to take tea and meal breaks in the winter.

Easy access and convenient transportation

We're situated twelve minutes' walk from Wye Station with regular connections to Canterbury as well as Ashford International. A well-lit pathway providing operatives with a safe method of access and egress from the nursery has recently been completed, and for those who drive, free on-site car parking is available with charging points for EVs and hybrids recently added to the main car park.

Support for motorcyclists

For motorcyclists, a bespoke parking area has been provided with paving slabs installed and CCTV coverage.

Employee assistance and wellbeing programs

An Employee Assistance Programme has been made available to all employees with Unum, offering confidential support for a variety of issues. The scheme also offers savings and discounts on consumer items, medical support including remote GP and physiotherapy appointments, and one-to-one personalised wellbeing consultations.

Respect and dignity in the workplace

At Palmstead it's important to us that our employees feel respected. Employees are treated with consideration, courtesy, and dignity, and their perspectives are taken seriously.

Supportive leadership

We have supportive leaders. Our departmental leaders' actions are consistent with our company values and help employees do their work, respond to requests, accommodate employees' individual needs, offer encouragement, and provide support.

Integrity and ethical leadership

We like to feel that our leaders and employees have integrity and act in an ethical manner.

Long-term careers and internal growth

Many of our team members have been with us for 20+ years. We have good career opportunities and prospects – did you know that more than 75% of our administrative, supervisory, and management team were promoted from within?

A place where people return

When staff choose to move on, many return to work with us again.

Tailored inductions and ongoing training

We provide tailored inductions by the relevant departmental team for new staff and firmly believe that training contributes to continuing professional development. Employees can develop their skills and knowledge through our internal training academy and bespoke training programmes, with industry-recognised qualifications in most cases.

Diverse and varied work opportunities

The work can be interesting and varied, with the opportunity to work in many different areas of the nursery, enabling our team members to develop a wide range of skills and experience.

A stable and flexible work environment

We have provided a stable place of work for more than half a century, with seasonal variations in workforce requirements catered for by agency staff. Where circumstances dictate, we can sometimes offer flexible working arrangements.

Coaching, mentoring, and educational partnerships

We also offer coaching, workshops, mentoring, shadowing, and support from departmental supervisors and leaders. We sometimes work with educational establishments such as Writtle University College to offer work placements for horticultural students.

Meet the team

Our experienced team are waiting to use their specialist knowledge and experience to ensure you get the plants you need exactly where and when you want them.