Seasonal Maintenance Guide
Spring (September–November)
- Cut ornamental grasses (Lomandra, Festuca, Themeda) back to 100–150 mm in September before new growth emerges — do not cut lower or you risk killing the crown
- Trim Westringia hedges to defined geometric form after the spring flowering flush (October); use a string line to maintain sharp horizontal and vertical faces
- Inspect and recommission drip irrigation systems before Melbourne and Sydney summer dry periods — flush filters, check emitters and test controller scheduling
- Top up decomposed granite in planting zones where winter rain has migrated material from beds to paths
- Apply a single application of slow-release native fertiliser (Osmocote for Native Plants or equivalent) to Lomandra and Dianella beds — avoid any product with > 1.5 % phosphorus near Proteaceae
- Clean Corten steel planter beds: brush off any black sooty deposits and check that drainage holes are clear before the summer dry season
Summer (December–February)
- Water established plantings deeply once per week in Melbourne (before 10 am or after 8 pm under Stage 1 restrictions) and fortnightly in Sydney for drought-tolerant species
- New plantings in their first summer require twice-weekly watering — install a temporary drip ring around each specimen and remove after first autumn
- Remove dead Lomandra leaves from the crown by hand in January to prevent the brown accumulation that compromises the architectural line of the planting
- Clean concrete and stone surfaces with a stiff brush and water only — do not use pressure washers on board-formed concrete as the texture is the finish
- Check UV-exposed composite timber decking for surface chalking; apply a UV-protective oil treatment in January if the surface reads grey rather than its specified colour
- Verify Corten steel planters are draining freely — standing water inside a Corten bed causes accelerated corrosion at the base weld
Autumn (March–May)
- Reduce irrigation frequency from weekly to fortnightly in late March as Melbourne and Sydney temperatures drop below 20 °C overnight
- Plant new specimens April–May — the optimal window for establishment: soil still warm from summer, rainfall increasing, minimal transplant stress
- Apply a 25 mm top-dressing of compost to Lomandra and Dianella beds in April to replenish soil organic matter before winter rain leaches nutrients
- Trim back any grasses or perennials that have spread beyond their designed footprint; the geometric discipline of the design depends on maintaining precise planting edges
- Service exterior timber structures (spotted gum screens, hardwood decking) with a penetrating oil treatment before winter rain season begins
- Review the design critically at dusk in April when the low angle of light reveals any surface irregularities or material aging issues that summer glare conceals
Winter (June–August)
- Switch off or heavily reduce irrigation from June in Melbourne (average 48 mm June rainfall) and from July in Sydney; overwatering during winter dormancy promotes root disease in Lomandra and Agave
- Prune deciduous feature trees (ornamental pear, Japanese maple used as accent specimens) while fully dormant in July — remove crossing branches and maintain the clean silhouette that minimalist design requires
- Protect frost-sensitive species (Agave attenuata, Dianella in cold Melbourne suburbs) with a single layer of frost cloth on nights forecast below 2 °C
- Clean reflecting pools and water features: remove leaf debris monthly, check pump operation and water chemistry, and inspect pool coping joints for mortar loss after frost cycles
- Plan any structural additions for spring construction — order custom Corten steel components (planters, edging, screens) now as fabrication lead times are typically eight to twelve weeks
- Photograph the winter garden to assess the permanent bone structure: if the composition is not resolved without foliage colour, revise the hardscape plan before spring
