As the Christmas draws to an end and the January grey sets in, the garden is usually the last place on anyone’s mind. Looking out at a wet, muddy lawn in Plymouth doesn’t exactly inspire visions of alfresco dining.
However, experienced landscapers and savvy DIYers know a secret: Winter is actually the golden hour for garden planning.
While it might seem counter-intuitive to think about decking or patios when the temperature is dropping, starting your project in January is the smartest move you can make. By the time the first warm weekend of Spring arrives, you could be sitting back with a cold drink on your finished terrace, rather than frantically ringing round for a builder.
Here is why you should ignore the drizzle and start planning your dream garden right now.
There is a phenomenon in the trade industry known as the "Spring Rush." As soon as the clocks change and the sun appears, everyone decides to fix their fence or lay a new patio at the exact same time.
By planning and ordering your materials in January or February, you avoid the stress of peak-season demand. You ensure you get the exact style of Porcelain Paving you want, rather than settling for whatever is left in stock. Plus, if you are hiring a professional landscaper, you are far more likely to secure a slot now than if you wait until April when their diaries are full until Autumn.
If your project involves installing Fence Posts or digging trenches for Sleepers, the winter months can actually be your friend.
While frozen ground is hard, the wet South West winters generally mean the soil is softer and more malleable than in the height of summer, when clay soil can bake into concrete-like hardness. This makes manual excavation much easier.
If you are planning a major overhaul that involves moving a lot of earth, don't forget we offer a Muck Away Service to help you clear the site quickly, keeping your project moving regardless of the mud.
Let’s be honest: landscaping is a messy business. "To make an omelette, you have to break a few eggs," and to lay a beautiful patio, you often have to turn your garden into a building site first.
If you do this work in January or February, nobody minds. You aren't using the garden for BBQs, the kids aren't playing on the lawn, and you are likely keeping the back doors firmly shut. By getting the muddy, noisy work done while the garden is dormant, you avoid ruining your own enjoyment of your outdoor space during the months when you actually want to use it.
If your redesign involves moving shrubs, planting hedges, or clearing vegetation to make way for Decking, winter is biologically the safest time to do it.
Most plants are dormant in January. This means they suffer less stress when being moved or pruned back hard. You can clear the ground for your hard landscaping without worrying about killing your favourite rose bush. By the time Spring arrives, your plants will wake up in their new positions, settled and ready to grow around your new structure.
The biggest frustration for homeowners is finishing a garden project in October, just as the weather turns cold again. You end up staring at your beautiful investment through a rainy window for six months.
By starting in January, you aim for a completion date that coincides perfectly with the start of Spring. The moment the temperature hits 15°C, your furniture can go out on the deck, and you can enjoy the entirety of the season. You get maximum value from your investment in year one.
Don’t wait for the sun to shine to start thinking about your garden. Use the quiet weeks of the New Year to measure up, pick your materials, and get your orders in.
At KPT Timber, we are fully stocked and ready to help you get ahead of the game. Whether you need Sleepers for a raised bed or premium paving for a new terrace, we can deliver everything you need directly to your door across Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall.
Ready to start? Browse our Online Shop today or pop into Choakford Farm to discuss your plans with our team.
