Before You Plant a Single Native: How to Properly Prepare Your Site

Author: Jay Shelling

Date Published:  19.12.2025

Approximate Reading Time:  6 Minutes

Designing a native or low-maintenance garden isn’t just about choosing the right plants or curating the perfect Pinterest board. 

It begins long before the first plant goes into the ground.

For Mornington Peninsula homes, the success of your garden rests on something deceptively simple: the way you prepare your site.

Good soil preparation supports deep roots, strong plant growth, and that relaxed native look homeowners love. Skip this step, and even the toughest native plants can struggle.

This guide walks you through the simple steps that set your garden up for decades of health, beauty, and effortless living.

Why Proper Site Preparation Matters More Than You Think

We hear it often: “My garden’s full of native plants, so it should be low maintenance.”

But even low maintenance gardens rely on foundations that support healthy root systems, good drainage, and resilient soil structure.

In new builds, especially across the Mornington Peninsula, the top layer of soil is often scraped away or left exposed throughout construction. By the time planting begins, the soil has dried out, compacted, and lost vital organic matter. This impacts everything from water retention to how plant roots develop during their critical first summer.

Before choosing plant babies, picking out kangaroo paws or shopping at the garden centre, preparing your existing soil is the most important step you’ll take.

Below: Image by Flo Landscapes | Warranwood

Step 1: Get On Top of Weed Control Early

One of the biggest mistakes we see is leaving weed growth until the very end. You may spray once and assume the job’s done, but the seed bank beneath the soil remains active. Left unmanaged, these seeds become a lifelong battle for homeowners.

Effective weed control looks like:



• Removing existing weeds thoroughly (not just spraying and hoping).
• Avoid leaving your soil bare for long periods; this encourages new weed growth.
• Applying a layer of mulch or temporary groundcovers to protect soil conditions during the build.

A clean start makes it easier for native plants and groundcovers to establish deep roots without competition.

Below: Image courtesy Flo Landscapes

Step 2: Understand Your Soil Type Before Planting

Your soil type is the base layer of your garden design. Across Melbourne, you’ll find everything from light sandy soils to dense clay pockets. Each demands a different approach. During construction, topsoil is often removed and replaced with poor-quality fill. If your existing soil is good, consider preserving it on site.

Ask yourself:



• Does my soil compact easily?
• Does it drain well after rain?
• Is it drying out quickly?
• Does it need soil improvement before planting?

Healthy soil structure is essential for strong root growth. You want plant’s roots to explore the soil freely, not fight against hard, dry or waterlogged conditions.

Step 3: Improve the Soil Before You Plant

Native gardens thrive in soil that is stable, well-drained and enriched with organic matter, but not over-fertilised.

To prepare your soil:

• Blend organic matter or soil conditioner through the planting areas.
• Add a wetting agent if your soil is hydrophobic (common in sandy coastal soils).
• Use a slow-release fertiliser lightly because natives don’t like too much feeding.
• Avoid synthetic soil amendments that can overwhelm native plants.
• Protect the soil with a layer of mulch to retain water and stabilise temperature.

This step strengthens the root zone and helps new plants settle in quickly.

Below: Image Langwarrin

Step 4: Plan Access for Machinery and Soil Early (Before the House Goes Up)

This is one of the most overlooked but crucial steps for homeowners.

If you’re renovating or building new, think ahead:

• Do you need fresh soil brought into the backyard?
• Will machinery need to access tight spaces?
• Will the garage or fence restrict movement later?

Many clients discover too late that large machines can’t reach the rear of the property, making soil improvement far more expensive. Planning early saves time, cost, and stress.

Below: Image Warranwood

Step 5: Keep the Ground Covered During the Build

Bare soil is vulnerable soil.

When left exposed, it dries out, erodes, loses beneficial bacteria and becomes harder for water to penetrate. A simple layer of mulch or temporary groundcovers protects your soil level and enhances water retention.

Tip: Even leaving leaf litter on the ground during certain phases can help stabilise soil conditions until planting begins.

Step 6: Check Your Drainage and Grading Before Planting

Good drainage is a non-negotiable for most local native plants. Most indigenous plants prefer free-draining soil that encourages deep watering and strong root development.

Before planting:

• Ensure water flows away from the home.
• Check that puddles aren’t forming where key plants will go.
• Adjust grading if needed to prevent them getting waterlogged.

Even the hardiest native will struggle if its root ball sits in wet soil for too long.

Below: Planting at Langwarrin

Step 7: Prepare Each Planting Hole With Care

This is where the magic starts.

When planting:

• Place the root ball at the correct soil level: not too low, not too high.
• If the plant is root bound, gently tease the plant’s roots apart.
• Tip-prune shrubs to encourage bushier growth.
• Avoid over-digging; disturb only the root zone you need.
• Water deeply after planting to help roots settle.

This step ensures your new plants have the best start.

Step 8: Choose the Right Plants for Your Soil, Light and Lifestyle

Native gardens work best when you match your plant selection to your unique growing conditions.

Consider:

• Full sun vs shade
• Soil type (clay, sandy, loam)
• Moisture levels
• Maintenance preferences

If you’re unsure, plant labels and knowledgeable team members at your local garden centre can help guide you (but a designer will understand how the whole garden works together).

Below: Maples at Warranwood

Step 9: Plant at the Right Time for Best Results

Timing affects everything.

The best time to plant a native garden in Melbourne is:

• Early spring, when soil warmth encourages deep roots
• Early autumn, giving roots time to establish before the first summer

Avoid planting in peak summer. Even the toughest natives can suffer when their young root system is still shallow.

Deep watering early on helps your plants become resilient and self-sufficient.

Top Tips for a Low-Maintenance Native Garden That Thrives

• Prepare your soil with intention. This is where low maintenance truly begins.
• Plan early in the building process, not after.
• Use organic mulch to protect soil structure and reduce weed growth.
• Choose right plants that suit your soil and aspect.
• Remember: low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance. A little care (i.e. a seasonal prune, a deep water, a check on soil pH) goes a long way.
• Most importantly, enjoy connecting with your garden. Spending time outdoors offers proven benefits and strengthens your relationship with the space you’ve created.

When to Bring in a Professional

A landscape designer adds immense value when involved early.

From soil preparation and drainage advice to garden design that complements your home, early collaboration prevents costly mistakes later.

If you're building or renovating on the Mornington Peninsula, involving a designer before the slab goes down ensures your garden vision has room to come to life.

Below: Fire pit at Paratea.

Ready To Begin? Here’s the First Step Toward Your Dream Garden

The most successful projects begin early. Engaging Flo Landscapes during your build allows us to collaborate directly with your architect and builder, ensuring every structural and design decision supports the landscape.

Here’s how to begin:

• Book a design consultation with our team
  
• Share your site plans, design concepts and inspirations
  
• Discuss how you want to live outdoors, whether it’s for entertaining, relaxation or family life

Our team will guide you through each stage with clarity and creativity. The process is refined, efficient and enjoyable from start to finish.

Your Dream Garden Starts With One Conversation, Let’s Design Something Extraordinary

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