Part-time green thumber to help with gardens

Visitors to the Daniel Boone Native Gardens in 2009 will see the graceful touch of a landscape gardener who has been working hard over the winter, thanks to a recent town of Boone grant.

Graeme Justice has been using his talents to clean and spruce up the Daniel Boone Native Gardens over the winter. Photo submitted

Now through March 15, in addition, the gardens’ Board of Governors is looking to make still another hire, that of a part-time garden manager who can be on hand throughout the six-month season to answer questions, conduct group tours, and assist at the many scheduled weddings. There will be some clerical and telephone work as well, and some light garden clean up.

“The gardens are going to look phenomenal this year because of all the planting and pruning that our gardener Graeme Justice has done,” said Nan Chase, chair of the Board of Governors. “But we’re mostly a volunteer organization, and running so many visitor and wedding operations during the season was getting to be a big job.

“We need someone who will make our visitors feel welcome. We are looking for someone with energy, and a love of the outdoors and people.”

The season lasts from May 1 through Oct. 31. The workweek is 10 to 20 hours and includes evenings and weekends. Starting pay is $10 an hour.

The Daniel Boone Native Gardens is a collaborative effort between the town of Boone and the Garden Club of North Carolina Inc. The 3-acre gardens include shrubs, trees and wildflowers native to the Appalachian region.
Admission remains $2 for adults; children 16 and under free.

Job applicants should send a letter of interest, references and qualifications to DBNG, P.O. Box 1705, Boone N.C. 28607 by March 15. Experience with native plants is preferred.