Just gardening: what to do in spring

Just gardening: what to do in spring

With the temperature rising, nature commences its cycle of life for another year. Spring has finally sprung, so it’s time to get out in the garden and enjoy the fresh air.

Caring for the ecosystem right on your doorstep can help arrest the effects of climate change...  

There are loads of reasons to make the most of your garden. Caring for the ecosystem right on your doorstep can help arrest the effects of climate change — a topic that has received a huge amount of attention recently, thanks to the David Attenborough documentary on the BBC.

What’s more, getting out in the garden provides wonderful exercise – something that can help you achieve the 150 minutes of weekly activity recommended by the NHS.

So, to inspire your gardening in the weeks ahead, here are some jobs to be going on with.

Home composting

A number of local authorities no longer collect kitchen waste for composting, because it’s too expensive to treat. Along with the ongoing threat to natural peat bogs, there’s never been a better time to create your own compost at home.

Just put all your garden and fresh kitchen waste in a suitable repository (you can buy a plastic compost bin or make your own heap in a quiet corner of the garden) and pretty soon you’ll have your own supply of nutrient-rich compost.

For further advice, check out this handy guide to composting from the Eden Project.

Just gardening: what to do in spring Flower power

Now is the time to plant your summer flowers. Now the threat of frost has largely passed, so you can put them straight into borders, pots or hanging baskets. If planting in borders, dig in a generous amount of compost beforehand, so they have plenty of nutrients to help them grow.

Keep your new flowers well watered and be sure to remove any weeds that grow around them. If you’ve planted in pots or baskets, you should aim to water twice daily, in the morning and evening. That will give your colourful plants every chance to thrive amid the burgeoning heat of summer.

Harden off half-hardy plants

If you’ve planted some stock from seed, now is the time to get the seedlings accustomed to life outside the greenhouse or cold frame.

Over a period of a week, give seedlings around three hours of exposure to sunlight each day. Reduce the amount of watering so that, by the end of the period, the plants are watered first and last thing. Make sure they don’t wilt, however, and be sure to bring them back into shelter if the sun gets strong or the temperature drops.

Gradually leave the seedlings out later in the evening so they get used to the colder temperatures. Within a week or so, you should be able to plant them out, making sure to give them a good feed and keep them moist as they adjust to life in their new home.

Get on top of weeds

It’s a simple fact of a gardener’s life: if you don’t tackle your weeds at the start of the season, you’ll spend the whole summer trying to beat them into submission.

...if you don’t tackle your weeds at the start of the season, you’ll spend the whole summer trying to beat them into submission.  

Get down on your hands and knees to clear weeds from borders, beds and pathways. Be especially assiduous in areas where you’re planting new flowers or seedlings. Every weed left in place will reduce the chances of new planting thriving, by sucking energy and moisture from the soil.

Once you’ve completed your first battle with the weeds, go back to where you started and remove any new arrivals. You’ll never stop weeds from growing, but by keeping on top of them, you can minimise their impact as the summer progresses.         

Look after your lawn

Show your lawn some love by applying lawn weed killer and removing any humps or divots. It’s easy to take out an unsightly lump: just dig around the edge and peel off the turf. Then remove the surplus soil and fold the turf flap back into place. Press the edges into position and give it a slug of water.

Meanwhile, use the surplus soil to fill in divots. Sprinkle grass seed over the top, taking care to match the species with your existing lawn. Cover large areas with netting to keep the birds at bay.

Then, voila, you’ll have a flat, green lawn. Anyone for croquet?

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may like:
Are you too old to make a career change?
How to make extra money with a side hustle

 

Published: 6 March 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

Lettings Negotiator
Sector: Sales
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC2
About the role

Just Recruitment has an exciting opportunity for a motivated Lettings Negotiator who is confident in communicating with people to join a company based on the outskirts of Colchester.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Registering and qualifying new applicants
  • Conducting property viewings
  • Negotiating offers between tenants and landlords
  • Securing lets and progressing deals through to move-in
  • Building strong relationships with landlords and tenants
  • Supporting with marketing and property listings

Skills required include:

  • Previous experience in lettings
  • Strong sales/customer service background
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills
  • Target-driven and self-motivated
  • Well-organised and able to manage a busy workload
  • A full UK driving licence (essential)

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Multi-skilled Site Services Trades Person
Sector: Property and Construction
Salary: £15.70 per hour
Location: Braintree, Essex
Role: Part Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913728
About the role

Just Recruitment has an exciting opportunity for a Site Services Tradesperson to join an engineering company based in Braintree, Essex.

Please note that this is a part-time role — working 24 hours per week, ideally over 3 days.

You will be part of the Facilities and Maintenance team, delivering general maintenance support to all buildings.

This role involves liaising with the Department Chargehand for daily tasks and with the Department Manager for any special or additional requirements. You will be responsible for carrying out general maintenance duties, as well as conducting Health & Safety compliance checks across the factory site, including inspections of fire extinguishers, legionella water testing, fire escape routes, and fire call points.

Required skills include:

  • General plumbing – mains water and WC.
  • General carpentry and woodwork.
  • Light building works (tiling, light building repairs, etc).
  • Painting and decorating.
  • General maintenance duties.
  • Be self-motivated and organised, and able to work on own as well as in a team.
  • Driving licence.
  • A forklift truck licence is desirable but not essential.

Hours of work:

  • Monday to Friday, between 07.30 to 16.00.
  • Hours negotiable, ideally 3 full days.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Commercial Assistant
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913727
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing business based on the outskirts of Colchester, looking to add a Commercial Assistant to their team.

You will be responsible for supporting the Commercial Team in managing the financial and contractual performance of their projects. Primary functions of this role include administration, pricing and agreeing variations, client liaison, query handling and contributing to the efficient running of the department.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Reconciling and archiving completed jobs.
  • Document control and administration.
  • Updating internal reporting records.
  • Raising and agreeing variation costs.
  • Assisting with negotiation and agreement of order terms and conditions.
  • Communicating with clients and internal departments as required.

Experience/skills required include:

  • Experience in an administrative role.
  • A confident communicator, both written and spoken.
  • Excellent organisational skills and ability to multitask.
  • Computer literate with good working knowledge of MS Office.
  • Good numeracy skills and a high attention to detail.
  • A willingness to learn and take initiative.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week.

Please note that, due to the company’s location, you will need to drive.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Full Stack React Developer
Sector: Information Technology
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Colchester, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913726
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing, well-established and market-leading organisation, who are looking to recruit a highly motivated Full Stack React Developer to join their team — to work across a variety of digital products and website projects.

You will be involved in the development of new client projects and will also work on the maintenance and development of existing projects.

You must have the ability to accurately code design layouts.
As a Full Stack React Developer, you will be expected to develop bespoke WordPress themes (not a theme modification).

Skills required include:

  • Knowledge in creating WordPress-based websites.
  • Exposure to server-side JavaScript and APIs.
  • Proficiency in modern JavaScript features (ES6+).
  • Strong experience in HTML and CSS.
  • Have experience working in an agency environment.
  • Experience with Version Control systems (Git).
  • Development in line with accessibility standards compliance and SEO best practices.
  • Experience using build tools (Gulp, webpack, Sass).
  • Experience with automated deployment.
  • Experience integrating third-party APIs.
  • High attention to detail.

Desirables include:

  • Proficiency in React and JS frameworks.
  • Exposure to Web Security principles.
  • Exposure to Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Exposure to ThreeJS.
  • Exposure to GraphQL.
  • Understanding of unit and integration testing.
  • Know your way around Figma.

Hours:

This role will initially be full-time in the office. After the initial period, the working pattern will shift to four days in the office and one day working from home each week.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Transport Coordinator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Salary: £26,000 - £28,500 per annum
Location: Halstead
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913723
About the role

Just Recruitment is supporting a well-regarded business based in Halstead who are recruiting for a Transport Coordinator to add to their team.

You will be responsible for planning and coordinating the transportation of goods and materials from one location to another.

Key tasks include:

  • Answering incoming calls, giving product information, lead times, dealing with general enquiries and queries — redirecting calls to relevant departments.
  • Planning and coordinating the movement of goods between locations using various modes of transportation.
  • Communicating with customers, drivers, carriers, and other parties to ensure smooth and timely delivery of shipments.
  • Maintaining records and reports of transportation activities and transactions.
  • Scanning documentation.
  • Arranging couriers and/or carriers as required.

Role key requirements include:

  • Strong communication, organisational, problem-solving, and multitasking skills.
  • Excellent computer skills.
  • Good eye for detail.
  • The ability to work well under pressure.
  • Courteous.

Preferred experience includes:

  • Previous Transport Coordinator experience gained within an office environment.
  • Customer Services experience would be desirable.
  • Excellent telephone manner with the ability to communicate at all levels.
  • High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and experience with in-house systems.
  • Ability to multitask and prioritise own workload.

Hours:

  • Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5.00pm.
  • Friday 8.30am to 14.30pm.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more