Labour Weekend is the unofficial start of the gardening season in New Zealand. The soil’s warming up, the days are longer, and just about every Kiwi with a section has a to-do list as long as their arm.
Some of those jobs are perfect for a long weekend, but others are better left to people with the right gear, training and insurance. Here’s how to tell the difference.
What garden jobs should I do over Labour Weekend?
Labour Weekend is prime time for getting summer veggies in the ground, bringing your lawn back to life and getting on top of weeds before they get on top of you. But there’s a handful of jobs that are better left off the DIY list altogether, and left to the experts like us instead.
DIY jobs worth tackling this Labour Weekend
These are all good, satisfying weekend jobs for most Auckland gardens:
- Plant your tomatoes and summer veg. By late October the risk of a cold snap has mostly passed in Auckland and the soil is warm enough for summer crops. Capsicums, courgettes, beans, cucumbers and basil can go in now too. Put stakes in at planting time so you don’t damage the roots later.
- Get the lawn back in shape. Raise your mower blades slightly and mow little and often, apply a spring fertiliser before rain is forecast, and sow any bare patches while the soil is warm and moist.
- Weed and mulch your garden beds. Clear weeds while the soil is soft, then lay 5 to 7 cm of mulch to lock in moisture and keep weeds down over summer. Keep mulch a few centimetres away from plant stems to avoid rot.
- Give low hedges and shrubs a light tidy. Deadhead spent flowers and lightly shape low hedges, checking first for nesting birds. If a hedge has really got away on you, our guide to transforming overgrown Auckland hedges covers what’s involved.
- Deal with green waste responsibly. Compost what you can, fill your green waste bin, or take a trip to your local transfer station. Skip the backyard bonfire, as burning garden waste isn’t allowed in urban Auckland.
When should I call a professional instead?
The short answer: call a pro when a job involves working at height, using a chainsaw, trees near power lines or buildings, removing stumps, or anything that could cause injury or property damage if it goes wrong.
Every spring, ACC deals with plenty of gardening injuries, many from ladders and power tools. A long weekend isn’t much fun if it ends in A&E. These are the jobs we’d recommend leaving to the experts.
Trees taller than your ladder
If you need to climb, lean out or balance a chainsaw above shoulder height, it’s time to call an arborist. Professional arborists use rigging, harnesses and controlled cutting techniques to bring limbs down safely without damaging your house, fences or the neighbour’s shed. Our tree trimming service covers everything from crown lifts and canopy thinning to large hedges.
Trees near power lines
Never prune trees close to power lines yourself. Only approved contractors can work near lines, so if branches are touching or growing towards overhead lines, get professional advice before doing anything.
Removing a tree
Taking out a tree is rarely as simple as it looks. Weight, lean, rot and nearby structures all affect how it needs to come down, and some trees in Auckland are protected under the Unitary Plan. Our tree removal team can assess the tree, check whether consent is needed and remove it safely. For more detail, read our safe tree removal guide for Auckland properties.
Old stumps
Digging out a stump by hand can take days and still leave roots behind. Professional stump grinding removes the stump below ground level in a fraction of the time, leaving the area ready for lawn, planting or paving.
Bigger landscaping projects
Retaining walls, drainage, paving and new garden layouts need proper planning, the right machinery and an understanding of Auckland’s clay soils. Getting it wrong can mean water issues, subsidence or a garden that doesn’t last. If you’re dreaming bigger than a weekend project, our landscaping team can take it from design through to build.
Ongoing maintenance you just don’t have time for
If your spring list keeps growing and your weekends keep shrinking, regular professional maintenance keeps your property looking sharp all year, not just after a long weekend of hard graft. Talk to us about a maintenance plan that suits your property.
Leave the heavy lifting to us this spring
Enjoy the DIY jobs this Labour Weekend, and leave the bigger, riskier or more time-consuming work to a team that’s been looking after Auckland properties since 1982.
From tree trimming and removals to stump grinding, landscaping and ongoing maintenance, A1 Landscape Services has the experience, equipment and people to get it done properly.
Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote or call our team on 09 579 5768.