Just gardening: what to do in spring

Just gardening what to do in spring - Just Reruitment

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 (2019).

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.

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?

 

Published: 3 March 2022
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2022

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Maintenance Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Competitive
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913348
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with an international organisation with a manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Sudbury – actively seeking to add a Maintenance Engineer to join its growing team.

Key roles and responsibilities include:

  • Assisting with the layout of the site, being involved with and understanding the installation of new services during the development of the site
  • Assisting with the layout of the equipment, being involved with and understanding the installation of new equipment and the production process flow
  • Being a key member of the Engineering team in the creation of:
  • Site engineering maintenance department.
  • Site engineering maintenance facility.
  • Site engineering control system, maintenance schedules and procedures (CMMS computerised maintenance management system).
  • Site engineering technical stores.
  • Site engineering technical library both manual and electronic.
  • Fault finding and problem solving on a variation of production and site equipment.
  • Create and carry out planned maintenance schedules.
  • Liaise with suppliers and service companies regarding problem-solving and service engineer visits.
  • Identify spare parts for all equipment, in line with business strategies.
  • Liaise with Production Teams and identify, implement, and optimise improvements to machinery and plant.
  • Identify and carry out engineering improvement projects when required.
  • Actively train down skills through standardised work to both Production Operatives through TPM & other shift Engineers.
  • Work with suppliers in the installation of new and existing plant and equipment
  • Provide technical assistance to aid in the verification of new equipment.

Essential qualifications and experience required:

  • Experience in a manufacturing environment.
  • HNC Engineering qualification.
  • Experience in PPM and TPM.
  • Experienced in both mechanical and electrical fault finding.
  • Experience in a fast-paced maintenance department.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing business that offers a competitive salary and a great working location.

Please note: Due to the company's location – you must have access to your own transport.

This role involves working split shifts: Days – Monday to Friday only.

Please note that you are required to be on call out – on a rota basis, once a month to cover evenings and weekends.

 

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

 

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Health & Safety Manager
Sector: Property and Construction
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913336
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing organisation based on the outskirts of Ipswich – actively seeking a Health & Safety Manager to join its friendly and vibrant team.

Working collaboratively with a hands-on approach you will manage and take responsibility for developing, implementing and maintaining an effective Safety programme across the business, consisting of Head Office, Warehouse Facility and support of External Field-based personnel.

You will ensure legislative compliance with a commercially astute and proactive approach to Health & Safety, utilising your experience to pragmatically minimise risk to the business. It is essential to engage people at all levels in the organisation and continuously improve processes and culture to ensure that the company minimise the risks to all.

Qualifications and experience required:

  • You will be NEBOSH qualified, combined with a working knowledge of relevant ISO standards.
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Health & Safety responsibilities and core objectives:

  • To develop, implement and maintain an effective safety programme and ensure compliance is met in line with all H&S legislation.
  • Implement the company’s health and safety policy and procedures.
  • Make recommendations for changes to the policies and associated processes and systems following review and legislative changes.
  • Arrange H&S audits and inspections as required to identify and minimise the risk to the company and employees.
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Health & Safety tasks:

  • Run the H&S Committee ensuring; meeting times are set; compile and distribute the agenda; and take minutes and distribute.
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Management Systems tasks and responsibilities:

  • Manage the company’s ISO 9001, 14001 & 45001 compliance.
  • Ensure the company’s ongoing compliance under ISO 9001, 14001 & 45001 by preparing and coordinating external/internal audits and arranging review meetings.
  • Implement the company’s environmental and quality policies and procedures. Make recommendations for changes to the policies and associated processes and systems following audit reviews and legislative changes.

Key skills/qualifications/criteria:

  • NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent, or willingness to work toward this.
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  • ISO Lead Auditor certified or prepared to work towards.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
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  • Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail.

 

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

 

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Fumigation Technician
Sector: Environment and Agriculture
Salary: £11.50 per hour
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913341
About the role

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You will be responsible for carrying out grain store monitoring, fumigation and pre-harvest insecticidal treatments on clients' premises (contracts or job visits).

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Hours: 40 hours a week full-time.

28 days annual leave including the 8 bank holidays.

Membership of the pension scheme when eligible.

 

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
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Sector: Environment and Agriculture
Salary: £11.50 per hour
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913342
About the role

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Health and safety elements:

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Hours: Monday – Friday, 7.30am – 5.00pm.
Paid overtime.

A full driver's manual driving licence is required.

 

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.

 

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Sector: Customer Service
Salary: £27,000 - £30,000 per annum
Location: Braintree
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913331
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing organisation based in the Braintree area – actively seeking a Sales Executive to join its friendly and vibrant team.

As a Sales Executive, you will play a critical role in driving revenue growth and expanding the customer base through proactive outbound sales, strategic planning, and effective relationship building.

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Hours: Monday to Friday, 08.00 to 17.30 (with 1 hour lunch).

Due to location, you will need to drive.

 

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