Author: chris

A healthy lawn is the foundation of a great-looking Melbourne garden. Whether you have drought-tough Buffalo, fine-leaf Couch, or lush Kikuyu, each grass type needs slightly different care to thrive in Melbourne’s climate.

Melbourne’s Popular Grasses

• Sir Walter Buffalo — Most popular. Shade-tolerant, drought-resistant, soft underfoot. Mow at 35–50mm.
• Kikuyu — Fast-growing, tough, and self-repairing. Needs regular mowing. Invasive into garden beds.
• Couch (Santa Ana, Windsor Green) — Fine-leaf, full sun only. Goes dormant (brown) in winter.
• Tall Fescue — Cool-season grass that stays green through Melbourne’s winter. Needs more water in summer.

See lawn mowing services or maintenance costs.

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Melbourne’s four distinct seasons each bring specific garden tasks. Following a seasonal maintenance calendar keeps your garden healthy year-round and prevents small issues from becoming expensive problems.

Spring (Sep–Nov)

• Feed lawns with spring fertiliser, begin regular mowing
• Prune spring-flowering shrubs after blooming
• Plant warm-season vegetables and annuals
• Check and repair irrigation systems before summer

Summer (Dec–Feb)

• Water deeply 2–3 times per week (early morning)
• Mow regularly but raise the blade height to reduce stress
• Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds

Autumn (Mar–May)

• Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials (root growth before winter)
• Overseed cool-season lawns
• Apply autumn fertiliser
• Clean up fallen leaves

Winter (Jun–Aug)

• Prune deciduous trees and roses while dormant
• Reduce mowing frequency
• Plan and design for spring planting

See garden maintenance services or explore all maintenance options.

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One of the biggest advantages of native gardens is their low maintenance requirements. Once established (usually after 1–2 growing seasons with supplementary watering), most Australian native plants need very little ongoing care.

Seasonal Maintenance

• Spring — Light pruning after flowering to maintain shape. Apply native-specific slow-release fertiliser (low phosphorus).
• Summer — Water deeply but infrequently during extended dry spells. Mulch to conserve moisture.
• Autumn — Plant new specimens. Top up mulch to 75–100mm.
• Winter — Minimal intervention. Most natives are dormant or flowering (Correa, Banksia).

See garden maintenance services or explore native garden design.

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Melbourne is home to an incredible array of native wildlife — from blue wrens and honeyeaters to possums, lizards, and echidnas. By choosing the right plants and providing essential habitat elements, your garden can become a haven for local wildlife.

How to Attract Wildlife

• Nectar plants — Grevillea, Banksia, Callistemon, and Correa attract honeyeaters and butterflies.
• Berry plants — Coprosma, Billardiera, and native raspberries provide food for birds.
• Dense shrubs — Small birds like wrens need dense, prickly shrubs for nesting and shelter from predators.
• Logs and rocks — Create habitat for lizards, frogs, and insects.
• Water — A shallow bird bath or small pond attracts a wide range of species.

Explore native garden design or see our native garden guide.

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Indigenous plants are species that naturally occur in your specific area of Melbourne — as opposed to “native” plants which can come from anywhere in Australia. Using indigenous plants supports local biodiversity, provides food for local wildlife, and creates gardens that look like they belong in the landscape.

Where to Find Indigenous Plants

Melbourne’s indigenous plant nurseries include VINC (Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-op), Kuranga Native Nursery, and the Indigenous Plant Guides published by local councils. Your council’s environmental team can advise on species indigenous to your specific suburb.

See our native garden guide or explore native garden design.

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Melbourne’s water restrictions and increasingly variable rainfall make drought-tolerant landscaping a smart investment. A well-designed water-wise garden can reduce your water usage by 50–70% while still looking lush and colourful year-round.

Water-Wise Strategies

• Plant selection — Choose native and Mediterranean plants adapted to dry conditions.
• Mulching — 75–100mm of organic mulch reduces water evaporation by up to 70%. See mulching services.
• Drip irrigation — Delivers water directly to roots with minimal waste. See irrigation services.
• Soil improvement — Adding organic matter to Melbourne’s clay soils improves water retention.
• Grouping — Plant species with similar water needs together (hydrozoning).

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Australian native plants are perfectly adapted to Melbourne’s climate — they thrive with minimal water, tolerate poor soils, and provide food and habitat for local wildlife. From hardy coastal plants in Frankston to bushland species in Eltham, there’s a native plant for every Melbourne garden.

Top Natives for Melbourne

• Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos) — Striking flowers, full sun, well-drained soil.
• Grevillea — Hundreds of varieties, attracts honeyeaters, year-round flowers.
• Banksia — Iconic flower spikes, excellent for birds and insects.
• Lomandra longifolia — Tough, strappy-leaf grass. Excellent border and mass planting.
• Correa — Bell-shaped flowers through autumn and winter when little else blooms.

See our native garden guide or explore native garden design services.

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Artificial grass creates a clean, safe, and mud-free play surface for children. With proper shock-absorption underlay, synthetic turf can meet Australian playground safety standards (AS 4422), making it suitable for both home play areas and commercial playgrounds.

Safety Considerations

• Shock pad underlay — Foam underlay absorbs impact from falls. Required for fall heights above 500mm.
• Non-toxic materials — Choose products certified as lead-free and non-toxic for children.
• Temperature — Artificial grass can get warm in direct sun. Shade structures or trees help. Melbourne’s climate is generally mild enough for year-round use.

See installation services or costs.

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While artificial grass eliminates mowing, watering, and fertilising, it does need occasional maintenance to look its best and last its full 15–20 year lifespan.

Maintenance Tasks

• Weekly — Remove leaves and debris with a leaf blower or stiff broom.
• Monthly — Rinse with water to remove dust and pollen (Melbourne’s spring pollen can settle on surfaces).
• Quarterly — Brush the pile with a stiff broom to keep blades upright.
• Annually — Deep clean with a mild detergent solution. Top up infill if needed.

See artificial grass services in Melbourne.

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Artificial grass is increasingly popular with Melbourne pet owners tired of muddy paws, yellow patches, and worn-out lawns. Modern pet-specific products are designed to handle the unique challenges of dog and cat ownership.

Pet-Friendly Features

• Drainage — Pet-grade turf has enhanced drainage holes (more per m²) to handle urine without pooling.
• Antimicrobial backing — Prevents bacteria build-up and odour.
• Durable yarn — Heavy-duty yarn withstands digging and running without flattening.
• Easy cleaning — Solid waste picks up easily; urine washes through with water or enzyme cleaners.

See artificial grass installation or cost guide.

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