Why Winter Is the Best Time to Engage a Landscape Designer (Yes really!) July 8, 2025

When people think of a landscape designer or garden projects, it’s usually in spring or summer. The sun is out, flowers are blooming, and the barbecue gets a workout. But the reality is, by the time you’re enjoying your garden in summer, all the heavy lifting should be done.

That’s why, if you’re thinking about upgrading your outdoor space, winter is your golden opportunity to get ahead of the curve.

It might seem counterintuitive to start thinking about landscaping when the mornings are crisp and the trees are bare and all you want to do is rug up by the fire, but in our experience, winter is the smartest time of year to begin the process of designing your dream garden.

Landscaping is a Process – Don’t Wait Until Spring

High-quality landscape design isn’t something you can whip up in a weekend. There are stages involved – consultation, site measure, design presentation, revisions, finalisation, permit approvals (if required), pricing, construction scheduling. And that all takes time.

If you wait until spring to get started, you’ll likely be competing with everyone else who’s just had the same idea. That can mean longer wait times and missed opportunities to capitalise on ideal construction windows.

Start in winter, and you’ll be ready to break ground just as the weather improves. By the time summer rolls around, you’ll already be sipping your drink on the deck, not watching it being built.

3 Reasons Winter is the Perfect Time to Start Your Landscape Project

1. Beat the Spring Rush

Landscape designers, suppliers, and contractors book out quickly once the warmer weather hits. By starting in winter, you’re ahead of the crowd — securing time with your chosen professionals and avoiding the seasonal squeeze.

2. Plenty of Time to Refine the Design

Designing a garden is an artform. Rushing the process can lead to decisions you later regret or missed opportunities for functional or aesthetic improvements. Winter gives us the breathing room to work collaboratively with you, explore multiple options, and refine the design to perfection — without the pressure of deadlines.

3. Smart Scheduling and Planting

Some structural elements like pergolas, paving, decking, walls, lighting, and irrigation can be installed during winter. That means construction can be completed before the spring planting season begins. Then when spring arrives, your plants will go into freshly prepared soil at the exact time they’ll thrive. although plants can be installed year-round in Australia, spring is the best time to plant and gives your plants the best chance of success.

What to Have Ready Before Engaging a Landscape Designer

Getting the most out of your first design consultation doesn’t mean you need everything figured out. But a few key pieces of information can make the process smoother and more inspiring:

Your goals for the space: Do you want a place to entertain, a low-maintenance retreat, space for the kids, or a productive veggie garden? Knowing what you want to do in your garden is the foundation for great design.
Inspiration: Gather any images, sketches, or materials that appeal to you. Think moodboards, Pinterest, saved Instagram posts — even magazine clippings. This helps your designer understand your style.
Your site plan (if available): If you have any existing site or architectural plans, these are a huge help.
Budget range: This doesn’t need to be exact, but even a ballpark figure will help shape realistic ideas from the beginning.

And if you’re unsure about any of the above, no problem. That’s part of what we help with.

From Idea to Installation — What You Can Expect Working with Shape and Form

At Shape and Form, we specialise in bespoke, high-quality outdoor spaces that balance design beauty with build practicality. Our full-service process is tailored to homeowners who want more than a cookie-cutter solution. Here’s what it typically looks like:

Zoom Call: Our initial meeting is via zoom and typically lasts 10 – 15 minutes.
Initial Consultation: We visit your site, get to know you, and understand your goals, challenges, and lifestyle.
Site Measure: We return to site to gather information to help us design your garden. We spend time taking photos, measurements and levels.
Design Presentation: We present you the initial design at our studio in Malvern. Our design includes 3D renders and a fly through video to reduce any miscommunication with contractors.
Design Changes: We include 2 complimentary rounds of changes as standard with our design packages.
Quoting & Pricing: Typically, at the design presentation we also provide a full breakdown of costings to ensure we’re on budget.
Construction & Delivery: Our in-house construction team build the project to the highest standard.
Handover & Enjoyment: You step into a finished garden, designed for the way you live.

Let This Winter Be the Start of Something Beautiful

Winter might feel like the time to bunker down, but it’s actually the best season to plan ahead. Good things take time, and great gardens are no exception.

Imagine walking out into your new garden next spring or summer, entertaining friends, watching the kids play, or simply enjoying a quiet cup of coffee surrounded by beauty and balance. That vision starts now.

So, if you’ve been thinking about transforming your garden, now’s the time to take the first step.

Ready to get started?
Book a design consultation today at shapeandform.com.au or email us at info@shapeandform.com.au

Let’s design your dream outdoor space together.