Commercial Landscape Melbourne: Practical Planning, Construction & Maintenance

A plant that looks excellent in a nursery may not be the right choice for a high-traffic entrance if it requires constant pruning or struggles with the site's exposure. Planting should consider available sunlight, soil conditions, wind, irrigation and the amount of maintenance the property owner is prepared to fund.

Melbourne's eastern suburbs also contain a mixture of established properties and newer commercial developments. A garden bed beside an older Hawthorn building can have very different conditions from an open commercial site in Doncaster.

This is where local knowledge becomes useful. Plant selection should be based on the actual site rather than simply copying a landscape from another property.

Where Synthetic Turf Fits Into Commercial Landscaping

Natural turf can work very well on commercial properties when the site has suitable conditions and the client is prepared for regular mowing, watering and seasonal care.

Synthetic turf can make more sense where the objective is a consistently usable lawn area with reduced routine mowing requirements.

The important point is that synthetic turf still needs proper installation. The existing surface needs to be prepared, unsuitable organic material removed and a stable, free-draining base constructed before the turf is laid.

This is particularly relevant for commercial courtyards, childcare areas and high-use outdoor spaces. The quality of the finished lawn depends heavily on what sits underneath it.

Garden More provides both natural instant turf supply and laying and synthetic lawn installation as part of its commercial landscaping services.

Commercial Landscape and Playground Areas

Schools, childcare centres and recreational properties require another level of planning because children may use the landscape intensively.

A Kew childcare centre, for example, may require a combination of synthetic turf, planting, paths, play areas and wet-pour rubber surfacing. The landscape contractor needs to consider how these surfaces meet, where water drains and how staff move around the outdoor area.

Rubber surfacing should also be specified according to the actual playground equipment and required impact performance. It should not simply be selected by appearance or colour.

For projects involving playground surfacing, the applicable Australian requirements should be checked for the specific equipment, surface system and project rather than making a blanket compliance claim.

This is particularly important for facilities managers who need documentation and clear project information, not just photographs of an attractive finished playground.

Hard Landscaping Needs to Handle Real Use

Paving, concrete, retaining walls, decking, paths and edging are all exposed to considerably more use on many commercial sites than they would receive in a private garden.

A shopping centre entry, office courtyard or school pathway needs to be considered in terms of pedestrian movement, access, drainage and maintenance.

Material selection also needs to account for cleaning and repairs. A surface that looks good when newly installed but is difficult to maintain may become expensive over the life of the landscape.

Good commercial landscaping services therefore look beyond the initial installation. The contractor should be able to explain what materials are being used, how they will be installed and what maintenance will be required afterwards.

Working Around an Operating Business

Commercial landscaping is often completed while the property is still operating.

That changes the way the project needs to be managed.

Access may need to remain open. Deliveries may need to be coordinated around construction. Pedestrian routes may need temporary protection or adjustment. Some work may need to be staged so the entire site is not unavailable at once.