Soft landscaping covers the living parts of an outdoor space: plants, garden beds, soil, mulch and turf. We design and install garden makeovers, new planted beds, privacy screens, native gardens and turf areas for homes, rentals, strata complexes and commercial frontages across Brendale and Moreton Bay.
The aim is a garden that looks good straight away and stays looking good without a lot of work. That means choosing hardy plants that handle Queensland's heat, humidity and dry spells, preparing the soil properly, and finishing with a good layer of mulch.
What our soft landscaping service includes
A soft landscaping job can include any of the following:
Garden design and plant selection
A simple planting plan with plants chosen for sun, shade, soil and how much upkeep you want.
Clearing old gardens
Removing tired plants, weeds and old mulch, and taking the green waste away.
Soil preparation
Breaking up compacted clay, adding garden mix or compost, and improving drainage.
New garden beds
Shaping new beds, with soft edges or edging to separate beds from lawn.
Planting
Supplying and planting shrubs, groundcovers, grasses, feature plants and screening plants.
Mulching
A finished layer of mulch to hold moisture and suppress weeds.
Turf
New lawn areas as part of the makeover. See turf supply and laying.
Establishment care
Watering advice and follow-up visits while the new garden settles in.
When a garden makeover is worth it
Soft landscaping is a good idea when:
- The garden has been neglected and pruning won't bring it back
- Plants have outgrown their space or died off in patches
- You're preparing to sell or lease and want better street appeal
- You want lower maintenance, with fewer thirsty plants and less weeding
- You need a privacy screen or want to soften a new fence or retaining wall
- A business frontage or strata entry looks tired
Plants that work in Moreton Bay gardens
Plant choice is where many garden makeovers go wrong. Plants that do well further south often struggle with our humid summers, heavy downpours and dry late-winter spells. We favour tough performers like lomandra, dianella, westringia, grevilleas, liriope, bromeliads, murraya and dwarf lilly pillies, plus natives that attract birds and suit the local conditions.
Clay soil is common across the Pine Rivers district and needs preparation before planting. Adding organic matter and building beds slightly above the surrounding ground helps water drain away after storms, so roots don't sit in waterlogged soil.
We also keep termite risk in mind. New beds against the house are kept below the weep holes, and we avoid piling soil or mulch against the slab edge or over timber. It's a simple step that makes future termite inspections easier.
How the job works
Site visit
We look at the space, talk about what you want, and check sun, shade, soil and drainage.
Plan and quote
You get a planting plan and a written quote listing plants, materials and labour.
Preparation
Old plants and weeds are cleared, and soil is prepared and shaped.
Planting and finishing
Plants go in, the beds are mulched and edged, and everything is watered in.
Aftercare
Watering guidance, plus optional garden maintenance visits while it establishes.
What affects the price
Every landscaping job is quoted individually. Costs mainly depend on:
Area and scope
How much garden is being cleared, prepared and replanted.
Plants
The number, size and type of plants. Larger, more established plants cost more but give an instant look.
Soil and mulch
How much garden mix, compost and mulch the job needs.
Site clearing
Removing old plants, roots, rubble and green waste.
Access
Everything carried through a narrow side gate or up stairs takes longer.
We itemise plants and materials so you can adjust the plan to fit a budget.
Why choose Brendale Property Maintenance
Plants suited to our climate
We choose plants that handle local heat, humidity and dry spells.
Proper preparation
Soil and drainage are sorted before anything is planted.
Ongoing care available
We can maintain the finished garden so it keeps looking the way it did on day one.
Homes and businesses
From backyard makeovers to commercial frontages.
Soft Landscaping FAQs
What's the difference between soft and hard landscaping?
Soft landscaping is the living and natural elements: plants, turf, soil and mulch. Hard landscaping is built structures like paving, retaining walls, decks and fences. We focus on soft landscaping.
When is the best time to plant in south-east Queensland?
Autumn and spring are the easiest times, because plants establish without extreme heat. Planting in summer is fine with extra watering.
Can you create a low-maintenance garden?
Yes. Hardy plants, fewer small annuals, good mulch and well-defined edges all cut down ongoing work.
Do you use native plants?
Yes, often. Many Australian natives suit our climate and attract birds. We mix them with other hardy plants depending on the look you want.
Can you refresh a garden before we sell?
Yes. Fresh mulch, trimmed shrubs, a few new plants and a clean lawn make a big difference to photos and inspections. See also rental property maintenance.
Do you install irrigation or retaining walls?
No, those are hard landscaping jobs for a plumber, irrigation specialist or landscaper. We can work alongside them on the planting side.
Will you look after the garden afterwards?
Yes. Regular garden maintenance keeps a new garden healthy while it establishes.
Where we offer soft landscaping
We provide soft landscaping from our base in Brendale to the suburbs below. Choose your suburb to see local details, or get in touch if yours isn't listed.
Related services
These services are often booked alongside this one:
- Turf Supply & Laying: New lawns done properly: old grass and weeds removed, soil prepared and levelled, and fresh turf laid and watered in.
- Garden Maintenance: Weeding, pruning, mulching and general garden care on a regular schedule, so beds stay neat through every season.
- Hedge Trimming: Clean, even hedge trimming and shrub pruning for privacy screens, formal hedges and overgrown boundaries.
- Green Waste Removal: Yard clean-ups and green waste removal: branches, prunings, palm fronds, leaves and storm debris taken away.