Why autumn is the perfect time to plan your summer garden transformation

The cost of waiting: what you risk

If you wait until Spring:

• Limited availability – prime summer slots already booked
• Rushed design – insufficient time for thoughtful planning
• Delayed completion – project pushed to late summer/autumn
• Compromised planting – miss optimal bare-root season
• Higher costs – spring price increases, potential rush premiums
• Summer stress – newly planted garden struggling in heat
• Another year lost – miss another summer in your dream garden

If you act this Autumn:

• Guaranteed availability – your preferred dates secured
• Thoughtful design – time to refine every detail
• June completion – garden ready for summer entertaining
• Optimal planting – autumn/spring establishment
• Better value – avoid spring price rises
• Established garden – plants thriving, not surviving
• Summer enjoyment – your dream garden next year, not the year after

Taking action: your Autumn garden planting checklist

This week:

• Gather inspiration (Pinterest, garden magazines, neighbouring gardens)
• Photograph your current garden from multiple angles
• Note problem areas and wish-list features
• Establish realistic budget parameters
• Contact Flourish Landscaping for consultation

This month:

• Initial consultation and site survey
• Review concept designs
• Select materials and planting palette
• Receive detailed quotation

Before Christmas:

• Agree final design and contract
• Place material orders
• Confirm project schedule

New Year

• Construction begins
• Regular progress updates
• Make final selections (furniture, accessories)

Spring:

• Planting installation
• Final landscaping touches
• Handover and aftercare guidance

Summer:

• Enjoy your spectacular new garden!

Real example, a Kingston success story

Client: The Harrison Family, Kingston KT2

Project: Complete rear garden redesign (180m²)

Budget: £45,000

October 2023: Initial consultation – family wanted entertaining space, children’s play area, wildlife-friendly planting for summer 2024 use

November 2023: Design agreed – Indian sandstone patio, composite decking, mixed herbaceous borders, new lawn

December 2023-February 2024: Hard landscaping construction during dry winter periods

March 2024: Comprehensive planting scheme installed, lawn turfed

June 2024 result: Fully established garden, first flowering season spectacular, family hosting summer parties in their dream space

Mrs Harrison’s words: “So glad we booked in autumn. By June, our garden looked like it had been there for years, not months. Friends who started planning in March are still waiting for their landscaper.”

Autumn/winter benefits:

• Moderate temperatures (rarely below -5°C) allow construction
• London’s urban heat island effect extends working season
• Thames Valley microclimate suits winter planting
• Heavy clay soils more workable when firm/frozen than spring waterlogged

Spring challenges:

• March-May: wettest period, ground often waterlogged
• Construction delays common due to weather
• Machinery damage to saturated lawns
• Difficult access when ground soft

Conclusion: Autumn and winter are often superior working conditions in our region – challenging the assumption that garden projects should wait for spring.

Investment protection: the value of early planning

Gardens are Significant Investments: With projects ranging from £10,000 to £100,000+, they represent substantial financial commitment.

Early planning protects your investments:

• Time for research: Compare options, verify credentials, check references
• Thorough design: Avoid expensive rectification of rushed decisions
• Quality materials: Source premium specimens and stone, not settle for available stock
• Proper preparation: Soil improvement, drainage solutions, structural considerations
• Realistic scheduling: Adequate time for each phase, no corner-cutting

False Economy: Waiting until spring to “see how the garden looks” costs you an entire season of enjoyment – potentially £40,000+ of landscaping sitting unused for a year.

Frequently asked questions:

• Q: Won’t winter weather delay my project?
  A: We work throughout winter on suitable days. Modern construction methods, protective tenting and strategic scheduling mean projects progress steadily. Hard landscaping often proceeds better in winter than waterlogged spring conditions.
• Q: Can I still plant anything this time of year?
  A: Absolutely! October-November is optimal for bare-root hedging, deciduous trees and many perennials. Container-grown plants can be planted any time the ground isn’t frozen.
• Q: What if I’m not ready to commit fully?
  A: Start with design-only service (£500-£1,500). You’ll have comprehensive plans ready, allowing construction booking when you’re prepared. Plans can also be implemented in phases.
• Q: Do you work through Christmas period?
  A: We schedule around festive weeks but otherwise work through December and January, weather permitting. Projects often benefit from quiet period construction.
• Q: What if we need planning permission?
  A: Autumn applications mean approval before spring – ready to commence immediately in optimal conditions. Spring applications often delay projects until late summer.

How to begin your Autumn garden planning

Step 1: free consultation

Contact Flourish Landscaping to arrange a no-obligation site visit. We’ll discuss your vision, assess your space, and provide preliminary ideas.

Step 2: secure your Summer slot

Our calendar is filling for 2026. The most popular summer completion dates are being booked now.

Step 3: invest your Autumn wisely

Use the coming months for thoughtful design development. By spring, you’ll have a comprehensive plan ready for immediate implementation.

Let’s create your perfect garden

Don’t let another summer pass with an uninspiring garden. The families enjoying spectacular outdoor spaces next summer are making decisions this autumn.

Contact us today to arrange a consultation and start transforming your garden into the perfect outdoor space for you and your family.