DIY home projects to get your hands dirty over Labour Weekend

It's Labour Weekend and while lots of us will be heading out of town, others will be simply heading outdoors to check out the backyard.

Yes, this is the unofficial start of the high-maintenance season for outdoor living areas. The grass is growing, the weeds are rampant and all those chores we've put off over the winter months are now staring us in the face. Weather permitting, there's no better time to look at outdoor improvements.

Not surprisingly, this is the biggest weekend of the year for DIY stores. Stan Scott, the "Easy As" expert with retail giant Mitre 10, says gardening is a key focus.

The lawns will be calling many a home owner this weekend.

"This is the time to get started on the garden, establishing and planting out new vege and flower patches - it's the perfect season to plant tomatoes and other salad crops, as well as small fruits and berries."

Scott says among retail trends is an increased demand for raised garden beds. These not only make it easier to manage your garden, they also help to drain the soil and keep it warmer, which improves plant growth.

Lawns need attention too at this time of the year. "Labour Weekend usually sees Kiwis out in force with the lawnmower. But they could also put a bit more effort into maintaining the lawn, such as spraying it for weeds and patching up bare parts," he says.

123rf.com

Labour Weekend is the perfect time to plant out a new vege garden with an emphasis on lettuce, tomatoes and other salad greens.

Planning the bigger projects over the long weekend is worthwhile. "Think about creating an attractive outdoor living space, or improving on what you have," says Scott. "You may want to build a new deck or spruce up an old one. Over time a timber deck naturally loses its tannins and oils, making it look old or tired. You can easily restore it to its former glory by getting rid of mould, sanding it down and re-staining it."

Installing new pergolas and shade sails can make a dramatic improvement. Even just getting out the outdoor furniture and planting new pots will have an instant visual impact.

This weekend heralds the start of the summer painting season as well. "With the better weather it is a lot easier to paint inside as well as out," Scott says. Check your home over for flaky or blistered paint. If you discover any patches, sand the area, prime and then paint. With proper preparation painting is a project you can easily accomplish yourself, he points out.

Raised garden beds are growing in popularity.

The rise and rise of online videos are a boon for today's would-be DIYers, with step-by-step instructions available for all manner of backyard projects. One measure of what's uppermost for Kiwi homeowners, the most viewed "how-to" videos at present on the Mitre 10 website, reveals that many of us are contemplating laying a concrete pad (in preparation for a new shed or pergola), building a deck, installing click-together flooring, tiling a floor, or some interior painting.

STAN'S TOP PICK OF OUTDOOR CHORES FOR LABOUR WEEKEND

* Clear and clean pathways and decks. Remove any moss that may be making them slippery.
* Trim back plants that are getting too large, especially if they are growing against weatherboards. If necessary, wash the house with sugar soap.
* Re-stain outdoor timber furniture, decks or fencing and remove rust from metal furniture.
* Clear out the guttering around your home
* Prep the barbecue for summer. Check it's all in order - no damaged parts or rust where there shouldn't be. Top up the gas.
* Organise your Christmas lighting - it'll come around in no time.