Why You Should Start Your Garden Design Plans Now for Summer 2026
If you want to enjoy a beautifully finished garden by summer 2026, now is the ideal time to begin planning. In areas like London, Kent, Surrey, Essex, and the wider South East, demand for experienced garden designers continues to rise — especially as more homeowners are investing in outdoor living spaces, contemporary planting, and high-quality landscaping.
Garden design projects involve several stages:
- Initial consultation & design brief
- Site surveys
- Concept design
- Master plan
- Planting and layout development
- Contractor tendering
- Scheduling the build
- Plant ordering
- Construction & planting
With landscaper diaries booking up months in advance, early planning ensures your project secures the right designer, the right contractor, and the right planting windows.
How Long Does a Garden Design Project Take?
For most homes across London and the South East, a well-planned garden design project typically takes:
- 2–6 weeks – for initial design stages
- 2–4 weeks – for revisions and final plans
- 2–8 weeks – scheduling with contractors
- 4–12 weeks – construction and planting (depending on scale)
This means that from first consultation to finished garden, you’re usually looking at 3–6 months minimum. Starting now gives you the best chance of enjoying your new outdoor space by next summer rather than rushing and compromising on quality.
Popular Garden Styles for 2026
Homeowners across London, Kent, Surrey, Essex and the South East are already requesting designs such as:
1. Contemporary Garden Design
Clean lines, porcelain paving, architectural planting, statement lighting, and low-maintenance schemes that suit modern homes.
2. Family Garden Design
Zones for entertaining, flexible lawns, raised beds, built-in seating, firepits, outdoor kitchens, and climbing frames subtly integrated into the design.
3. Roof, Courtyard & Balcony Garden Design
Ideal for London terraces and smaller urban plots. Lightweight planting, screening, container schemes, modular seating, and privacy solutions are in high demand.
4. Traditional or Country-Style Garden Design
Perfect for Kent and Surrey homes that favour natural materials, cottage planting, gravel pathways, and perennial borders.
5. Large Luxury Garden Design
For expansive homes across the Home Counties, trends include sweeping lawns, water features, outdoor rooms, poolside planting, and multi-zone entertainment terraces.
Why Soil Sisters Is the Right Choice for Your 2026 Garden Project
At Soil Sisters Garden Design, we have designed hundreds of gardens across London and the South East, from compact courtyards to large, multi-acre estates. With 30+ years of combined horticultural and design experience, we understand the unique challenges of urban, suburban, and rural spaces — including privacy, drainage, shade, soil quality, levels, and practical family use.
We are also proud holders of a Hampton Court Flower Show medal, a testament to our commitment to exceptional detail, creativity, and craftsmanship.
Our clients choose us because we provide:
- Clear, structured design stages
- Beautiful, functional and future-proofed garden layouts
- Expert planting schemes tailored to sun, shade, and soil
- Access to trusted landscapers and contractors
- Ongoing support throughout the build
- Designs suitable for all budgets and scales
You can explore our full tiered offering — Essence, Elegance, and Elysium — on our Garden Design Tiers page, which shows exactly what’s included at each budget level.
👉 View our garden design tiers here Garden Design Tiers – Soil Sisters
Why Starting Early Saves You Money
Planning ahead gives you several advantages:
- More choice of contractors — reducing risk of inflated pricing
- Better planting windows for long-term success
- Ability to phase work if needed
- Time to refine the design to perfection
- Access to seasonal discounts on materials
- Avoiding last-minute rush fees
A well-timed project almost always results in a smoother, more cost-effective build.
Ready to Transform Your Garden for Summer 2026?
If you’re ready to start planning your dream garden, now is the perfect moment to begin. Whether you’re looking for a complete redesign, a planting overhaul, or a fresh layout tailored to family living, Soil Sisters can help bring your vision to life.
Book your free consultation today
Secure your place in our 2025/26 design schedule and start your journey to a beautiful outdoor space.
👉 Click here to book your free consultation
👉 Explore our Garden Design Tiers to choose the right budget level for your project