How do you know it’s Labour Weekend? Because you can hear the lawnmowers! If you’re a Labour Day lawnmower, or use the holiday to attend to any of the many suggested tasks below, think about carpenter Samuel Parnell to whom the hours of the modern working week are attributed. While, sadly, many now work well beyond these hours in order to make a living, Parnell is upheld as the New Zealander who first saw sense in limiting the hours of the standard working day to eight. So, this Labour Day, how will you use your day off? Perhaps some of the following will provide inspiration:
- Get your new potatoes in the ground (plant them deep so the shoots take time to appear above ground, and when they do, be prepared to cover them from frost!).
- Head to the bach to give the lawns their first cut of the season (cut a couple of centimetres higher than usual to promote growth, and unless the grass was extra high, leave the clippings lying where they fall to act as fertiliser).
- Clean winter debris from the guttering on the house (check your ladder’s safety first, as parts can deteriorate over time). If you’re not confident to clear the guttering, call a professional to do the job for you. Installing ‘whiskers’ can help prevent debris build-up in gutters.
- Give the barbie a scrub down (and be sure to check safety connections if your barbecue is gas fuelled).
- Quit the clutter in the garage or the bach (because summer is for fun, not searching for outdoor leisure equipment you wish you could find!).
- Book your summer getaway (early bird specials reward those who plan, and booking before the December rush is a recipe for a stress-free lead-up to Christmas).
- Sort out the garden sprinklers, ready for summer (and give your garden hoses time to unwind while you check for holes and leaky connections).
- Order next winter’s wood supply from your local wood merchant (because dry, seasoned wood burns efficiently, giving out the best heat for value).
- Water blast winter grime from paths (and steer clear of using chemical treatments around edible garden beds).
- Switch your wardrobe from winter to summer (and purchase a few vacuum pack storage containers so everything not in use fits snugly under the bed or in the closet).
- Grab some glossy cuisine magazines from the library, sit back, and plan Christmas dinner (dreams are free!).
- Go on a garage sale hunt for picnic paraphernalia (Labour Weekend is a great de-clutter time for many, so you’re sure to pick up some bargains).
- Do a maintenance check on your summer sports equipment (and pass on any items you don’t need to the grandies).
- Pop up the sun umbrella and inspect the deck chairs (a squirt of silicon spray can do wonders for unyielding connections!).
- Sharpen garden tools, and book in the lawn mower for a service (or if you’re over petrol mowers that are hard to start and heavy to push, shout yourself a lightweight electric model!).
- Fertilise your fruit trees and berry bushes (they will still produce without help, but fruit size and quality will be enhanced with a little pampering).
- Spoil the car with a safety check and pamper (check tyre pressure, tread depth, and window wiper blades. Top up the window washer fluid, clean the dashboard, check the first aid kit and roadside safety kit, add a squirt of oil to sticky door hinges, and buy a boot-liner before you forget!).
- Haul out the life jackets and test them for safety (this link will help talk you through the process).
- Start a craft project that will make a great Christmas present (because a gift of love takes time).
Labour Weekend is yours for doing something or nothing. We hope you enjoy it to the max!