Is winter a good time to start planning a landscape project?
The short answer: Yes! Depending on your vision, planning your project can be a several-month process. Proper planning allows for successful installation. When you have the Winter to plan out your spring or summer landscaping project(s), utilize the colder months to contact local landscapers, get pricing, start a design, and solidify your spot on next year's schedule
Here are the top 3 reasons why now is the time to start planning:
1. Lock in pricing before potential increases come in the new year/season.
2. Avoid feeling rushed when planning your project and spend the necessary time to think it through. You want to make informed, well-researched choices.
3. Beat the Spring rush. Come Springtime, landscapers are booking up jobs left and right. Contacting them early before the busy time will allow you to reserve your spot on their schedule for an ideal time best fit for your needs.
Questions you should ask yourself when planning a landscaping project.
Grab a pad of paper, a pencil and take some time to think about how your yard has served you over the last year. If you are entertaining over the holidays, you will likely notice some things that you would like to change, and your family and friends may have suggestions as well.
How long do you plan on living at the property for? Is this your forever home or will you move again in 2 or 3 years? This will help determine the investment you want to make.
What do you like about your current landscape? Are there plants, trees and shrubs you want to work into the design, or do you want to start from scratch?
What issues if any did you experience this past summer? Consider if you had annoying pests, if your plantings struggled to survive and if the property was lush and vibrant.
Do you have drainage issues? Consider if you have any water management problems that should be addressed before they get worse.
What is on your wish list? Think about a water feature, fire feature, outdoor kitchen, bar, and exterior lighting or sound system. Rank them in categories of wants or needs to help create a clear vision of what is important to your outdoor living space.
How much sun do you have and how much shade would you like to have? Maybe you need to consider a pergola or covered patio. Being mindful of the amount of sun you get can play a vital role in the elements of your project.
How many people do you plan on entertaining in space? You want the space to be functional and fit your needs. Determine what size gatherings you have and how often in order to accommodate a size space that is not too big or too small.
What do you want for your children? Pets? Jot down any specific requests or ideas you may have for your children or pets, allowing them to be considered when planning.
Do you have enough privacy? Consider a fence, privacy screen or use trees and shrubs to create privacy.
What textures, colors, accent features would you be interested in? Start planning what colors, textures, and styles you want to invite into your space. Scanning the property for what is pre-existing will allow you install complimentary features for your project that work in harmony, not clash.
What’s your budget? Consider what your investment is to be sure you achieve all your landscaping goals.
How much maintenance are you willing to invest or pay for over the years? Having a maintenance plan after the project is complete will ensure your landscape remains beautiful for years to come.
Have peace of mind over the holiday season and eliminate one other thing to worry about by calling a landscape designer today!
At Golden Wolf Landscape and Design, we are committed to providing reliable services for property maintenance and lawn clean-up. We have the experience, expertise, and resources to help maintain a property of any size.
Contact us at (908) 578-1179. You can also fill out a request form for a quote on our website under our “Contact Us” tab. We're looking forward to hearing from you.