What this SWMS covers
Landscape planting is the culminating activity in landscape construction projects where plant materials including trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and ornamental species are installed following design documentation and horticultural specifications. This skilled trade combines knowledge of plant biology, soil science, and construction techniques to establish vegetation that will thrive in site-specific conditions whilst meeting aesthetic, functional, and environmental objectives. Planting operations typically commence following completion of hardscape elements including paving, edging, and irrigation infrastructure, with timing coordinated to coincide with appropriate planting seasons for plant types and local climate conditions. Australian planting seasons vary by climate zone with temperate regions favouring autumn and spring planting avoiding summer heat stress and winter waterlogging, whilst tropical and subtropical zones may plant year-round with monsoon awareness, and arid regions concentrating plantings during cooler months when water stress is minimised. Plant materials arrive on construction sites through various supply chains and formats each requiring specific handling protocols. Container-grown plants in plastic pots ranging from small 140mm tubes for groundcovers to large 400mm containers for feature shrubs represent the most common supply format offering flexibility in planting timing and relatively straightforward installation. These plants have developed root systems confined within container volume and require careful root management during installation preventing root circling that constrains future growth. Advanced trees and large shrubs may be supplied as root-balled specimens where plants grown in field nurseries are excavated with intact soil ball wrapped in hessian and secured with wire or rope for transport and handling. Root ball sizes are specified based on tree trunk diameter with typical balls ranging from 450mm diameter for small trees to 1500mm or greater for large advanced specimens weighing several hundred kilograms requiring mechanical handling equipment. Some specialist applications use bare-root deciduous stock lifted during dormancy and transported without soil around roots - these require immediate installation and careful handling preventing root desiccation. Soil preparation for landscape planting is critical for long-term plant health and establishment success. Construction sites typically have degraded soils from trafficking, compaction during building works, removal of topsoil during excavation, or contamination from building materials and waste. Site assessment identifies soil constraints including compaction levels, pH extremes, poor drainage, nutrient deficiencies, or contamination requiring remediation before planting proceeds. Soil amelioration may involve deep ripping to alleviate compaction, incorporation of organic matter including compost or aged manure improving soil structure and water holding capacity, pH adjustment using lime for acidic soils or gypsum and sulphur for alkaline conditions, installation of drainage systems addressing waterlogging issues, or complete replacement of unsuitable soils with imported quality growing medium meeting Australian Standard AS 4419 for soils in landscaping and garden use. Planting hole preparation follows horticultural principles ensuring adequate root zone volume for plant establishment and growth. Hole dimensions typically specify width at least twice the root ball diameter providing unrestricted root expansion, and depth matching or slightly shallower than root ball height preventing root collar burial that can cause stem rot and plant death. Hole sides should be roughened or scarified breaking compacted glazing that can impede root penetration into surrounding soil. For clay soils with poor drainage, planting holes may be augured or deepen and backfilled with free-draining material, whilst excessively sandy soils may require amelioration with clay and organic matter improving water and nutrient retention. Tree planting in particular requires generous root zones with some specifications requiring 1-2 cubic metres of quality soil per tree supporting long-term growth and stability. Installation techniques vary by plant type and size. Small container plants are simply removed from pots, root systems teased to encourage outward growth if root-bound, positioned at correct height in prepared hole, backfilled with appropriate soil mix, and firmed to eliminate air pockets whilst avoiding excessive compaction. Advanced trees require more complex installation including mechanical handling of heavy root balls using excavators or telehandlers, careful positioning ensuring correct orientation and straight alignment, hessian and wire removal from upper root ball avoiding root disturbance, strategic backfilling in layers with compaction between lifts, and installation of staking or guying systems providing stability during establishment. Staking specifications vary from single stakes for small trees to tripod arrangements for larger specimens or guy wires anchored to ground anchors for advanced trees on exposed sites. All staking must allow controlled movement supporting trunk caliper development whilst preventing windthrow or root ball movement that disrupts establishing roots.
Fully editable, audit-ready, and aligned to Australian WHS standards.
