If you’re asking, “When is the best time to have my garden designed?”—you’re not alone. Many homeowners start thinking about their outdoor space only when the sun comes out, but by then, designers and landscapers may already be fully booked. To avoid missing out and ensure your garden is ready for spring or summer enjoyment, planning ahead is key.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the best times of year to start your garden design journey, explain why timing matters, and share how working with a professional garden designer—like Soil Sisters—can help you get the most from your space.
🌱 Why Timing Matters in Garden Design
Designing a garden is a thoughtful process that involves consultation, concept development, planning, sourcing plants and materials, and potentially coordinating landscaping teams. From the initial meeting to project completion, it can take several weeks or even months, depending on the complexity of the design.
Planning early ensures:
- You secure your preferred garden designer
- There’s time for plant and material availability
- You avoid the spring/summer rush
- Your garden is ready when you want to use it most
📅 Best Times of Year to Start Garden Design
1. Summer (June–August)
Summer is an ideal time to begin the garden design process. With your garden in full bloom, it’s easier to understand how the space is currently used, how light moves through it, and which existing features you’d like to retain or enhance.
Designing during the summer allows time for thoughtful planning, material sourcing, and approvals. Landscaping work can then be scheduled for the autumn and winter months, when plants are dormant and construction is less disruptive to your enjoyment of the space. This means your garden will be ready to enjoy by the following spring and summer—a smart, forward-thinking approach.
👉 Learn more about planning a garden design timeline from The English Garden
2. Autumn (September–November)
If you’re starting in autumn, you’re still in a great position to implement structural landscaping and prepare the garden for spring planting. It’s a quieter time for designers and landscapers, meaning better availability and often quicker turnaround.
Autumn is also perfect for planting trees, shrubs, and perennials, giving them time to establish over winter.
👉 Learn about autumn planting benefits from the RHS
3. Winter (December–February)
Winter is an excellent time for garden planning and design work. The garden’s underlying structure is most visible, helping designers and clients assess layout and sightlines. Projects can be scheduled to begin as soon as conditions allow in early spring, ensuring maximum use of the garden during the warmer months.
This is also when landscaping teams tend to be more available, helping speed up the installation phase.For more comprehensive redesigns, starting in spring may mean completion later in the year.
☀️ When Do You Want to Use Your Garden?
If your goal is to enjoy your new garden in spring or summer, we recommend starting the design process in autumn or winter of the previous year. That way, everything is in place for planting in early spring and enjoying your outdoor space by the time the weather warms.
For autumn enjoyment (such as outdoor dining or showcasing seasonal planting), a spring or early summer design start may be ideal.
💼 Why Work with a Professional Garden Designer?
A professional garden designer offers expertise in layout, planting, materials, and usability. At Soil Sisters Garden Design, we work closely with clients to:
- Understand your space, lifestyle, and goals
- Create detailed plans and planting schemes
- Manage timelines and supplier coordination
- Deliver designs tailored to London and South East England’s conditions
We guide you from concept to completion—no matter the season you begin.
🔄 Garden Design Is a Year-Round Opportunity
While there are seasonal advantages, garden design is not limited to a specific time of year. Whether you’re rethinking a city courtyard, developing a new-build garden, or rewilding a larger plot, the best time to start is when you’re ready to invest in your space.
Even in summer, starting the design process now can set you up for a transformation ready for the next season.
👉 Learn about planting calendars and seasonal gardening
🌿 Ready to Get Started?
If you’ve been wondering “When is the best time to have my garden designed?”—the answer is now.
The earlier you begin, the more choices you’ll have and the sooner you’ll be enjoying your new outdoor space. Contact Soil Sisters Garden Design to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward your dream garden.
📍 Serving clients across London and the South East
🌐 www.soilsistersgardendesign.com