When’s the Best Time of Year to Hire a Landscape Designer in Colorado Springs?

If you’ve been dreaming of transforming your yard into a beautiful, functional outdoor space, you might be wondering: When’s the best time of year to hire a landscape designer? Whether you’re planning a full outdoor makeover or adding specific features like a patio, water feature, or custom lighting, the timing of when you start working with a landscape designer can make all the difference in how smoothly your project comes together, especially in Colorado Springs, where the climate, elevation, and seasonal conditions create unique landscaping opportunities and challenges.

The short answer is: you can hire a landscape designer any time of year, but different seasons offer different advantages. The best time to hire a landscape designer depends on your project goals, your schedule, and the seasonal advantages each time of year offers. By understanding what to expect in each season, you can plan your project timeline in a way that best fits your vision, your schedule, and even your budget. Let’s explore what makes each season in Colorado Springs a smart time to connect with a professional landscape designer, and why planning ahead is the key to creating an outdoor space you’ll love.

Landscape design isn’t just about planting flowers or laying down stone. It’s a process that involves careful planning, design development, selecting materials, and scheduling construction work. Many Colorado Springs homeowners underestimate how much time it takes to go from the first consultation to a completed project.

On average, the design process alone may take a few weeks to a few months, depending on the project’s complexity. Add in construction scheduling and seasonal considerations, and you’ll see why planning ahead is key. By understanding the seasonal advantages, you can position yourself to get the best results without unnecessary delays.

Unlike many parts of the country, Colorado Springs experiences dramatic seasonal shifts. At an elevation of more than 6,000 feet, our city’s climate brings intense sun exposure, dry conditions, unpredictable frosts, and a shorter growing season. These environmental factors mean that landscape design isn’t a one-size-fits-all process—it has to be tailored to our region’s unique rhythm.

For homeowners, this means two things:
 

• Start early. The earlier you plan your project, the better your chances of having your new landscape ready to enjoy when you want it.
• Choose the right season for your goals. From planting to hardscape installation, each season in Colorado Springs offers unique opportunities for moving your landscaping project forward.

Winter may not be the first season that comes to mind when thinking about landscaping, but it’s actually one of the smartest times to hire a designer. While the ground may be frozen and snow may be covering your lawn, designers and architects are busy planning for the upcoming season.

Advantages of hiring in winter:

• More availability and time for creativity: Since winter is the off-season for construction, landscape designers typically have more time to dedicate to your project. With outdoor construction slowed by snow and cold temperatures, designers have more availability to focus on detailed plans, 3D renderings, and plant selection. You’ll also likely have more flexibility in scheduling consultations.
• Get ahead of the spring rush: Spring and summer are the busiest landscaping seasons, and most homeowners start calling landscape designers in the spring. If you wait until then, you may find yourself at the back of a long waiting list. Starting your design in winter ensures you’ll be at the top of the construction schedule once warmer weather returns.
• Time for revisions: Winter gives you and your designer plenty of time to fine-tune your plan, choose materials, and get necessary permits before work begins.
• Local insight matters: A Colorado Springs–based designer understands that winters here often include mild, sunny stretches. That means some site prep and hardscape work can still move forward, even in January or February.

Best for: Major landscape overhauls, custom outdoor living spaces, retaining walls, or projects that require city permits.

If you want your new landscape to be ready for use by late spring or summer, winter is the perfect time to start the design process.

Spring is the season when landscaping activity kicks into high gear. It’s the most popular time of year for homeowners to call a landscape designer. As the ground thaws and days lengthen, both homeowners and landscape crews are eager to bring outdoor projects to life. The weather is warming up, and people naturally start thinking about spending more time outdoors.

Advantages of hiring in spring:

• Fresh inspiration: Seeing trees and flowers come back to life is motivating. It’s a great time to think creatively about your yard’s potential.
• Ideal for irrigation installation: With dry summers ahead, spring is the perfect time to set up or upgrade water-efficient irrigation systems tailored to Colorado’s semi-arid climate.
• Planting season begins: Colorado Springs spring weather allows for planting trees, shrubs, and perennials, and is ideal for softscaping projects—though late frosts mean designers will carefully plan the timing to protect tender plants. Usually, though, landscape designers can create plans and move straight into implementation.
• Quick gratification: If you want your yard ready for summer entertaining, spring is the time to act.

Challenges: Spring is busy. Many designers and contractors are booked solid, so availability can be limited. If you wait until mid-spring to call, you may not see your project finished until late summer or even fall.

Best for: Plant-focused projects, garden installations, irrigation upgrades, or smaller outdoor enhancements you’d like ready for summer.

For those looking to maximize their outdoor enjoyment during the summer months, spring is a great time to execute a plan that was ideally created in winter.

By summer, Colorado Springs is in full bloom, and construction season is in full swing. Designers and crews are often busiest during this time, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to start your project. For homeowners, this season is often about maintenance and enjoyment, but it’s also a great time for larger construction and hardscape projects.

Advantages of hiring in summer:

• Observation advantage—See your yard in action: Summer gives you the best sense of how your yard functions—where the sun hits hardest, where you need shade, and how your family actually uses outdoor spaces. It’s the best time to walk your property with a designer to see where the sun hits, where shade is lacking, or where water drains poorly. This firsthand perspective helps fine-tune a design.
• Hardscaping opportunities: Many hardscaping projects (like patios, decks, or outdoor kitchens) are ideal for summer construction because the weather is generally stable and crews can work efficiently.
• Plan for fall planting: While summer isn’t the best season for planting (heat stress can challenge new plants), it is excellent for planning features that will be installed in the fall. If you hire a landscape designer in early summer, they can plan a project that includes fall planting—an excellent season for establishing many trees and shrubs in Colorado Springs.

Challenges: Availability may be limited since summer is the peak of both design and construction. You may also experience longer lead times for materials, as suppliers are at their busiest.

Best for: Hardscape-heavy projects like patios, pathways, outdoor kitchens, or stone landscaping.
If you hire a designer in summer, you’ll have the advantage of seeing your current landscape at its fullest, which helps inform your vision for what could be better.

Fall is often overlooked and underrated, but in Colorado Springs, it’s one of the very best times to begin the landscaping design process. As the heat fades and the growing season slows down, many homeowners start to think about what they’d like to change for next year.

Advantages of hiring in fall:

• Ideal planting conditions: In Colorado Springs, fall offers cooler temperatures and more consistent moisture, which is perfect for planting trees and shrubs. With cooler nights and warm days, plants establish strong root systems before winter sets in. Trees, shrubs, and perennials planted in the fall tend to thrive the following spring.
• Evaluate your summer yard: You’ve just spent the summer living in your outdoor spaces, so your likes, dislikes, and wish list are fresh in your mind.
• Prepare for next spring: By starting your design in the fall, you’ll have a complete plan ready to implement as soon as the ground thaws in the spring.
• Reduced demand: Fall is generally less busy than spring, so landscape designers and crews may have more availability.

Challenges: Some construction projects may be delayed until the following spring if the weather turns cold quickly.

Best for: Planting new trees and shrubs, irrigation upgrades, and planning large projects for the following year.

The advantage of fall in Colorado Springs is that it often brings with it beautiful stretches of mild weather, making it easier to complete both planting and hardscape installations before the ground freezes, making it an excellent time for landscaping projects.

While general landscaping advice applies everywhere, Colorado Springs homeowners face unique conditions that make timing even more important:

• Water restrictions: Designing with xeriscaping principles and water-efficient irrigation is crucial.
• High altitude sun: Outdoor living spaces need shade solutions and heat-tolerant plants.
• Soil challenges: Many local soils are clay-heavy or rocky, requiring amendments or raised beds.
• Wildfire risk: Fire-wise landscaping is an essential consideration in many neighborhoods near the foothills.

Hiring a local firm like Fredell Enterprises, with decades of experience in the region, ensures that these factors are accounted for from the very start.

The best time to hire a landscape designer in Colorado Springs is truly whenever you’re ready to start the process. Each season offers distinct advantages. That’s why the best time to hire a landscape designer really depends on your goals:

• For major projects with hardscaping and permitting needs: Winter or fall is best to allow ample planning time, to beat the rush, and to plan for next year.
• For planting-focused projects: Spring and fall are ideal for softscaping because the conditions are best for establishing new plants.
• For quick updates you want ready for summer: Spring is your go-to, but the earlier you start, the better.
• For irrigation setup: In addition to planting, spring is the ideal time for getting your irrigation system set up.
• For construction and observation: Naturally, summer takes the cake here since you’re able to live your outdoor space firsthand.

The key takeaway is this: the earlier you start the design process, the better your results will be. It’s important to recognize that landscape design takes time—so starting earlier than you think will pay off in the long run. Many Colorado Springs homeowners underestimate how long it takes to go from design to finished project, so contacting a landscape designer well before you want to enjoy your new landscape is the smartest move.

With over 40 years of experience in transforming outdoor spaces, Fredell Enterprises is a trusted name in Colorado Springs that has been helping homeowners create landscapes that balance beauty, functionality, and resilience. From designing water-efficient gardens to building outdoor living spaces that embrace the mountain views, our team knows how to make the most of every season. As a full-service landscape design and construction company, Fredell specializes in both the creative vision of landscape architecture and the hands-on expertise of construction and installation.

Whether you’re envisioning a stunning xeriscaped yard, a custom outdoor kitchen, or a new patio with lighting, our team can guide you from start to finish. From planting plans and irrigation systems to retaining walls and stone landscaping, we bring together every element needed to create a cohesive, functional, and beautiful outdoor space.

If you’re ready to transform your yard, don’t wait for the “perfect” season to begin—because with the right designer, every season can be the perfect time. Don’t wait until the busy season leaves you at the back of the line. Contact Fredell Enterprises today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward the landscape of your dreams.

When it comes to landscaping, the best time to hire a designer is before you think you need one. By planning ahead, you’ll ensure your yard is ready when you want it—whether that’s for summer barbecues, fall gatherings, or year-round curb appeal.

Fredell Enterprises is here to help Colorado Springs homeowners design landscapes that are as functional as they are beautiful. Start today, and enjoy your outdoor space tomorrow.