The long weekend is fast approaching, and with the weather looking fine across the country many of us will have DIY projects around our properties we're holding out to get stuck into.
A recent survey revealed 70 percent of Kiwis are planning to stay home for the upcoming Easter long weekend, with the majority planning to tackle a DIY project (38 percent) or entertain at home (32 percent).
If you're one of those planning a wee staycation, painting and gardening jobs can be super satisfying and a great way to give your place a spruce up before the hibernation of winter hits.
But if you're not sure where to begin, Bunnings DIY expert Mitch Mclean is here to help. He's put together his top six tips for your next foray into giving it a crack yourself, so you can look upon a job well done with satisfaction.
Painting
- Preparation is the key to a smooth-sailing Easter painting project. The finish of a painted wall is only ever as good as the preparation that went into it. Fill any holes or cracks, sand surfaces flat and make sure you have all your equipment ready before starting the job.
- When cutting-in your edges with a brush, don't get too far ahead of yourself. It's best to cut-in a section and then blend in that area with a roller whilst it is still wet. If you allow the cut-in section to dry, you'll be double-coating that area and a distinctive border will be seen when the paint dries.
- Consider using water-based paints instead of oil-based alternatives. Water-based paints have less odour, are a breeze to clean-up and provide brilliant long-lasting finishes. Their faster drying times ensure you'll get the job done over a weekend.
Gardening
- As we move into the cooler months, it's a great time to check your garden tools paying particular attention to any damage from the previous season, ensuring they are in good working order. Sharpen those blades, oil their hinges and consider whether you need any upgrades or would like to expand your collection. Tools in excellent condition are a pleasure to use and make easy work of tough jobs.
- After a fantastic growing season, it's a perfect time to remove any weeds, debris and spent crops from your garden beds, returning them to a clean slate. It's a great idea to use this opportunity to apply compost, manure and a thick layer of heat-retaining mulch in anticipation of when temperatures start to drop.
- It's tempting to forget about your lawn during the cooler months, but with a little effort, you can keep it looking sensational all year round. Use a pitchfork or aerator to open up the hard and compacted soil developed over the summer months. An aerated lawn allows plenty of air, water and nutrients to penetrate down into the grasses root system where they're needed most. Feed your grass one last time before the colder months set in as this will be stored up in the roots and ready for a head-start next spring.
