The Gift of Time: Using Winter to Plan for Spring

Fall comes on with a certain melancholy for those who dread shorter days and colder nights, especially because they can mean less time outside.  But if this fall snuck up on you before you had a chance to really make the changes to your outdoor living environment you’ve been envisioning for years, consider this fall and winter a time to plan.  So, how should you budget your time for the next three months so that you can hit the ground running come March?

  1. Find what you like. A picture is worth a thousand words and if you can’t quite articulate what you want, a collection of photos will communicate it well.  Spend a little time gathering photos of your ideal outdoor space and save them for discussion with your landscape designer.
  2. Determine what needs to go. Walk around and take inventory of what plants, features, hardscapes, etc. in your yard work for you and what is detracting from the look.  Identify what is dead and will likely need removal, and what plants could use a little boost such as fertilizing or pruning in spring.
  3. The more you know about the size of your property and the scope of your project, the better you can plan for the cost.  Your landscape contractor will be able to create a base plan, too, which can help kickstart the design process.
  4. Interview local companies. There are a number of capable companies in the Santa Barbara area that can provide service from design through installation.  Check out reviews, their blogs, and photos of their completed work to see if their philosophies, design style, and quality of work are a match for what you need.  Give a call to start the conversation and see how responsive and friendly they are.
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

LANDSCAPE DESIGN – SANTA BARBARA

When it comes to creating a landscape, homeowners generally fall into two categories:  those who itch to start putting plants into the ground themselves and those who recognize a need to hire out the work. Just as it wouldn’t be wise to  …

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  1. Research costs. Are you putting off the work because the cost is intimidating?  The more you know up front about what you might need to spend, the less shocking it will be when the quotes come in.  Look at what you’re hoping to do and research the “comps” for your region.   Use your budget to prioritize your projects for this year and the next.
  2. Make that call. You’re ready now to get a landscape contractor lined up for spring.  Establish the relationship now and begin working on the design phase so your contractor can have you scheduled for install as soon as the weather warms again.  This will give your contractor time to amass the materials, tag the best plants at the nursery, and finalize the scheduling.

So, while fall and winter can be a little sad, there is always the hope that spring holds, especially when you use the time to get your outdoor spaces ready for a first-of-the-season landscape installation that you can enjoy the rest of the summer.

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Jorge CortezContractor and Owner
California Landscape Licensed Contractor. Having grown up right here in Santa Barbara, Jorge Cortez graduated from Dos Pueblos High School in 2007 and went on to join the United States Marine Corps. After completing a tour in Afghanistan and receiving an honorable discharge, Cortez continued his education at Santa Barbara City College. Today, with over fifteen years of experience in landscape maintenance, he combines his passion for the land with his business acumen as owner of SB Evolution Landscape.
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