Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Plan Your Spring Landscape

When the days get shorter and temperatures begin to cool, landscaping may be the last thing on your mind. But fall is actually one of the best times to start planning improvements to your outdoor space.

Whether you want to make a few changes before winter arrives or have a complete landscape plan ready for spring, getting started in the fall gives you time to make thoughtful decisions instead of rushing once the growing season begins.

See Your Landscape While Everything Is Still Fresh

Fall is a great time to evaluate what worked in your landscape this year—and what didn’t. Maybe an area received more sun than you expected. Perhaps certain plants struggled, your lawn required too much water, or there’s a part of the yard you simply never use. These observations are much easier to remember and evaluate now than several months from now.

A fall landscape consultation can help identify opportunities to improve plant selection, irrigation, functionality, privacy, outdoor living areas and the overall look of your property.

Get Your Landscape Plan Ready Before Spring

One of the biggest advantages of starting your landscape design in the fall is time. Instead of waiting until the first warm days of spring to begin thinking about your yard, you can use the fall and winter to develop a plan, choose plants and materials, estimate quantities, prioritize projects and determine what you want to tackle first. When spring arrives, you’re ready to get started rather than just beginning the planning process. It also gives you time to research plants, compare materials, establish a budget and decide whether you'll tackle the project yourself or work with landscape professionals.

Create a More Water-Wise Landscape

Fall is also a great time to think about how much water and maintenance your landscape required during the summer. Reducing lawn, improving irrigation efficiency and choosing plants that are well adapted to your local climate can significantly reduce the amount of water and maintenance your yard requires.

A water-wise landscape doesn't have to look sparse or unfinished. Ornamental grasses, flowering perennials, shrubs, native and regionally appropriate plants, boulders and other natural materials can create a landscape that feels full, colorful and intentional.

Plan Around the Way You Actually Use Your Yard

Good landscape design is about more than choosing plants. Think about how you used your outdoor space this summer. Did you need more shade? Would you like a better place to entertain? Is there an unused section of lawn that could become a garden, patio, fire pit or seating area? Do you need more privacy from neighboring properties? Fall gives you an opportunity to step back and think about how your landscape could work better for you.

Some Projects Can Still Happen This Fall

Depending on your climate and the project, there may still be time to make landscape improvements before winter. Other projects may be better saved for spring. Either way, planning now allows you to determine what makes sense to complete this season and what should be ready to go once warmer weather returns. Even if you don't move a single rock or plant a single plant this fall, having a finished landscape plan puts you several steps ahead when spring arrives.

You Don't Have to Be Local to Start Planning

Landscape planning doesn't always require an in-person visit. With photos, measurements, video calls and information about your property, a virtual landscape consultation can help you work through plant choices, garden layouts, problem areas and ideas for improving your outdoor space—no matter where you live. Recommendations can then be tailored to your local climate, growing conditions and goals.

Start Planning Your Landscape Now

If you've spent the summer thinking, “Next year, I really want to do something with this yard,” don't wait until next year to start planning it. Wild Wing & Bloom offers in-person and virtual landscape consultations and design services to help homeowners create beautiful, functional and water-wise outdoor spaces that fit their property, lifestyle and goals.

Schedule your fall landscape consultation now and get your plan in place before winter—or be ready to hit the ground running next spring.