Why is winter the best time for a garden project? Don’t wait until spring
Looking out the window at the gray or snow, the last thing we think about is relaxing on the terrace among the flowering beds. This is a natural reflex – we instinctively begin to take an interest in the garden only when the first rays of the spring sun fall on our faces. However, from the investor’s perspective, this is a fundamental strategic mistake.
There is a simple rule of thumb in the landscaping industry: gardens to be built in the spring are designed in the winter. If you ask yourself when to order a garden design, the answer is: now. Delaying until March or April most often means that you won’t drink your first coffee on your new terrace until autumn.
Design is a process, not a “ready-made”
Many investors assume that an architect’s work takes a week or two. In reality, the stages of professional garden design are a drawn-out process that usually takes from 4 to as long as 10 weeks (depending on the complexity of the site and the client’s decision-making).
This time consists of:
- Inventory and analysis: We need to check ground conditions, insolation and land slopes.
- Conceptual work: This is the time for creativity, looking for the best functional layout.
- Consultation and amendment: This is the moment for you. You watch the visualizations, make comments, and we make changes. This stage requires calm and time to think, which is usually in short supply in the spring.
- Detailed design: This is the most labor-intensive part – selection of specific plant species, technical drawings of lighting and paving and details.
Starting in February, we have a comfortable time to work out every detail. Starting in April, we operate under the pressure of the runaway growing season.
Calendar vs. math of implementation
Let’s analyze a typical garden work schedule in two scenarios.
Scenario A: Starting in Winter (February)
- February/March: Design work is underway. We are quietly selecting materials, finalizing the budget and booking appointments with contractors.
- April: We have the documentation ready. As soon as the frost lets up, the contractor’s team enters construction.
- May/June: Planting plants. The garden is ready for summer, and the plants have time to root before the heat.
Scenario B: Starting in Spring (April)
- April/May: You call the architect. During peak season, wait times for the first appointment are longer. The project is created in a hurry.
- June: You have a project, but it turns out that good contractors have their calendars filled until October.
- July/August: You find a contractor, but planting during the peak heat is risky (and requires intensive watering). Often implementation is postponed until autumn.
Availability of contractors and materials
Winter is a time of planning not only for designers, but also for garden builders. In February, most reputable contractors complete their portfolio of orders for the upcoming season. With a finished project in hand as early as winter, you can book an appointment with the best professionals in advance.
By showing up at the market in May asking for a free date, you risk working with random teams or having to wait in a long line. The same goes for ordering materials – such as specific patio boards or large trees from nurseries, which disappear at lightning speed in spring.
Offices don’t work faster because it’s spring
If your garden requires a construction notification (e.g., building a retaining wall over 1.2 meters, paving a large area of the plot, building a gazebo within certain parameters), you must add time for administrative procedures. The authority has a statutory 21 days (or more) to process the application. This time will not be jumped. In winter, this waiting period is painless – we wouldn’t be conducting field work anyway. In spring, every week of official delay is a week lost to plant vegetation.
Summary
The decision to start working with a landscape architect in the winter is evidence of a mature approach to investment. You gain time for thoughtful decisions, avoid stress, and guarantee yourself that your garden will be built on the optimal agronomic schedule.
Don’t wait for the first sunshine. Take advantage of this time to go straight to realizing your dreams in spring, instead of just starting to sketch them. Contact us, to discuss your garden project before the calendar for the season closes.