The 5 Perks of February Landscape Planning

February is the middle of winter, and while snow and ice still cover the ground, it’s actually a great time to start thinking about your spring landscape. Here’s advice from the pros at Reder on why getting a head start now can make a real difference, plus practical tips you can use today.

1. See Your Yard Clearly, and Make Better Decisions

With trees bare and beds dormant, you can finally see your whole landscape without foliage hiding problem spots. Walk your property and note areas where water puddles, beds feel crowded, or plant spacing doesn’t feel right. Marking up a simple sketch now will save time once planning gets underway.

Pro tip: Use colored markers or sticky notes on a printed yard map to track sun and shade patterns, so you can match plant choices to conditions later.

2. Beat the Spring Rush, Lock in Your Schedule Early

Landscaping crews book up fast once the weather warms. Planning and even scheduling consults now helps ensure your projects are scheduled early and completed on time.

For more on the benefits of planning ahead, check out our fall planning blog, 5 Reasons to Plan Your Spring Landscape in the Fall.

3. Get Smarter About Your Materials and Plants

Use this slower season to research plant varieties, hardscape materials, and layout ideas. Consider elements like evergreen accents for winter interest or patio orientation that’ll serve you best once the snow melts. Planning ahead gives you time to compare options, rather than guess at what’s available in spring.

4. Lay the Groundwork for a Thoughtful Design

Understanding your yard’s sun exposure, soil type, and high traffic areas now makes for stronger spring plans. Take time to visualize zones for play, entertaining, or quiet rest, and think about how they’ll work together throughout the seasons. This big picture thinking often leads to better long term results.

5. Give Yourself a Creative Boost in the Midst of Winter

Winter can feel long, but planning your landscape gives you something to look forward to. Imagining blooming borders, defined outdoor rooms, and refreshed hardscapes turns mid winter blues into spring inspiration.

Next Steps: If you want help turning your ideas into a real plan, learn how our design team works with clients from early concept to detailed installation on our Landscape Design page.