Most homeowners start thinking about landscaping projects when the weather warms up and they begin spending more time outside. A new patio, outdoor kitchen, retaining wall, or backyard gathering space suddenly feels a lot more important when you’re looking at the space every day.
The reality is that the best time to start a landscaping project and the best time to start planning a landscaping project are often two very different things.
At Hawthorne Landscaping NW, we help homeowners throughout Grants Pass, Medford, Brookings, Jacksonville, and surrounding Southern Oregon communities create outdoor spaces that are thoughtfully designed around how they live, entertain, and enjoy their property.
If you’re considering a landscape renovation, understanding the planning process can help ensure your project stays on schedule and delivers the results you’re looking for.
One of the biggest misconceptions homeowners have is that landscaping projects begin when construction starts.
In reality, the most successful projects begin months earlier.
Landscape design, material selection, budgeting, permitting, and scheduling all take time. Whether you’re planning a custom patio, outdoor kitchen, retaining wall, or complete backyard transformation, having a clear plan before construction begins often leads to better results.
Working with a professional landscape designer early in the process can help identify opportunities, avoid costly changes, and ensure every part of the project works together cohesively.
Spring is often when homeowners become most excited about improving their outdoor spaces.
The weather becomes more comfortable, plants begin to bloom, and people naturally spend more time outside evaluating their property.
This makes spring an excellent time for:
The challenge is that spring is also one of the busiest seasons for landscaping contractors throughout Southern Oregon.
Homeowners who wait until spring to begin planning may find themselves competing for availability during the busiest part of the year.
Summer is often when outdoor living spaces see the most use.
Patios become gathering areas for family and friends. Outdoor dining spaces get more use. Fire features, water features, and seating areas become extensions of the home itself.
For homeowners considering features such as outdoor kitchens, covered patios, or custom water features, summer often highlights exactly how valuable a well-designed outdoor space can be.
While summer can be a great time for construction, many homeowners wish they had started planning earlier so the project could be completed before peak outdoor entertaining season.
Fall is often overlooked, but it may be one of the smartest times to begin a landscaping project.
Contractor schedules may become more flexible, temperatures are generally comfortable, and homeowners have an opportunity to evaluate how their property performed throughout the year.
Fall planning allows homeowners to identify issues such as:
By beginning the planning process in fall, homeowners are often in a much stronger position to begin construction when the following season arrives.
Many homeowners assume landscaping projects stop during winter.
In reality, winter is often the ideal time to begin designing larger projects.
This is especially true for homeowners considering a complete backyard remodel, outdoor living space, hardscaping project, or custom landscape design.
Winter provides an opportunity to:
Homeowners who begin planning during winter are often ready to move forward when spring arrives.
No two properties are exactly alike.
Some Southern Oregon homes have relatively flat lots that make planning straightforward. Others have drainage concerns, grading issues, or challenging slopes that require additional planning.
For example, a sloped backyard may require retaining walls, drainage improvements, or terraced landscape design before other outdoor features can be added successfully.
Taking the time to evaluate your property’s unique conditions early in the process often leads to a smoother project and a better final result.
One of the simplest ways to think about landscaping timelines is this:
The best time to start planning is before you need the finished project.
If you’re hoping to host family gatherings next summer, begin planning months beforehand.
If you’re considering a major outdoor living upgrade, start discussing ideas before contractor schedules begin filling up.
The earlier planning begins, the more flexibility homeowners typically have when making decisions about design, materials, budgeting, and scheduling.