What to do in March

It's the perfect time to treat your paths and driveway with Resene Deep Clean. This will help keep moss and mould at bay, which can be a slip hazard in wet weather.

March is arguably one of the best months of the year in our part of the world – the days are still long and warm, but the nights are getting a little cooler and there’s less humidity in the air. These conditions are absolutely perfect for painting as the heat isn’t too extreme and there’s less chance of rain. There are also plenty of daylight hours for doing those DIY jobs you’ve been putting off over the summer weekends (possibly hitting the beach instead).

This month is also time to start thinking about preparing your home for the cooler months, seeing to any damage that may have been caused during summer, or transforming an interior space into a soothing sanctuary.

Exterior jobs

Consider whether there are any last-minute exterior paint projects to get done or finish off while the conditions are still warm and dry. Check out your deck – does it need restaining after a summer of heavy use? How about your fence – could it do with a refresh before winter comes along? Getting these types of jobs done in autumn is a good idea to help protect them through winter.

Try putting a day aside to clear your gutters and spouting to prepare them for the falling leaves of the season. When leaves, twigs and moss fill up your gutters, it can lead to blockages and leaks, which can cause water to drip down the side of your home’s exterior walls, damaging the paintwork and potentially leading to worse problems.

Now is also a good time to book in to have your chimney checked and cleared – if you have one – as well as clean the filters on your heat pump.

Autumn and winter tend to bring with them more moisture, which means more moss and mould. You can get in ahead of the wet weather and apply Resene Deep Clean to your paths and driveways. Simply spray on and leave. This will work with the weather to slowly clean up surfaces. You can also apply it to fences and decks too to help keep them in good shape.

Give your deck a fresh coat of stain while the days are still long and relatively dry. This deck is stained with Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Resene Natural.

Create a soothing space

We tend to spend much more time indoors over autumn and winter, so why not paint your space in a Resene colour that’s designed to be calming and soothing? While many of us believe that the ‘safest’ colour is white, there are many other Resene colours you can use that are just as subtle but provide a depth that helps to create a restful, tranquil sanctuary.

Light greens promote relaxation and reduced stress, and are also associated with nature, growth and renewal. Hues like Resene Rainee have a soothing effect on the mind and can create a sense of calm in your bedroom or living space.

When you’re painting inside, remember to ensure you have adequate ventilation, and a great choice for a bedroom is Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or for a master bedroom Resene SpaceCote Flat. The flatter the finish the more the light will be diffused, which will help your colour feel more soothing.

Walls, floor and bed base painted in Resene Rainee and lamp painted in Resene Blue Bark.

Build a birdhouse

As well as the humans at your place requiring warmth and comfort in autumn and winter, resident winged-friends also hunker down in the colder months. Many birds roost or huddle together during winter and seek out tree hollows, dense foliage and birdhouses to do so.

Set aside a weekend for this fun DIY project building your very own birdhouse. Measure and cut your timber to size, remembering to leave a small hole for the birds to enter through and a perch for them to sit on. Then use a paintbrush to oil the timber with Resene Furniture and Decking Oil. Or for a pop of colour on overcast winter days, paint your birdhouse in a favourite Resene colour. Once dry, place your birdhouse somewhere facing east to avoid strong sunlight and prevailing winds, as well as high enough off the ground so that predators can’t reach it. Choose a sheltered spot away from any areas where the wind tunnels through.

Plan your projects

Autumn is also the time of year when many of us sit down and discuss any big DIY projects that might be looming. Is a renovation in the works? Does your house need repainting? It’s a good time to contact your preferred contractors and arrange quotes and to decide which jobs you’ll tackle yourself. If you’re looking for inspiration, you can also head into your local Resene ColorShop. The staff can provide you with colour advice as well as guide you in the right direction with your paint projects, such as the best way to go about it and what equipment you’ll need.

Resene ColorShop staff have endless knowledge to share when it comes to upcoming home projects, large and small.

In the garden

It’s said that autumn is nature’s planting time – soil is warm, nights are cooler and the rain provides the perfect growing conditions. Spring bulbs are ready to plant now to reveal their glory later in the year – flowers like daffodils can be planted any time between March and May. Plant citrus fruits and feijoa, and harvest all your strawberries, apricots, peaches and plums. In terms of vegetables, collect seed for next season from the healthiest cucumbers, courgettes, tomatoes and pumpkins. In the garden’s cooler areas, you can also now plant cabbage, spinach, silverbeet, broccoli, celery, lettuce and leek seedlings.

If you’ve got the space, you might even consider building your own raised garden or planter box. Check out the step-by-step instructions here or watch our video.