Blog

by Nature's Way Landscapes
If you're sitting inside on a cold January day, looking out the window and thinking "this is the year we finally do something with this space" — you're right where you should be.

And you're right on time.

Winter is actually the perfect time to plan a landscape project in Boulder County. Not spring. Not summer. Right now.

Here's why — and how our seasons should shape your project timeline.

Why Winter Is the Best Time to Plan in Boulder County

Most homeowners don't think about their landscape until the snow melts and they're staring at a muddy yard. By then, every landscape design-build firm from Boulder to Broomfield is slammed.

Starting in January or February puts you ahead of the rush:

Designers have bandwidth. During winter months, we're not juggling active construction sites. That means more focused attention on your project, faster turnaround on designs, and time to get the details right.

You have time to make decisions. Material selections, layout options, plant choices — these decisions shouldn't be rushed. Winter gives you breathing room to consider options, visit showrooms, and make choices you'll be happy with for decades.

You lock in the build schedule. Design-build firms book spring and summer construction months in advance. If you wait until April to call, you might not break ground until July — or later.

No pressure, no rush. Planning in winter means you're not making decisions while crews are waiting. You can take a weekend to think about whether you want flagstone or pavers without holding up the project.

Boulder County's Construction Season: What You Need to Know

Our Boulder County climate dictates when outdoor construction can realistically happen.

March–April: Weather is unpredictable. Some years we're setting pavers in March. Other years there's snow on the ground until mid-April. We can sometimes start site prep and demolition, but hardscape installation depends on conditions.

May–June: Prime building season begins. Ground is workable, weather is cooperative (mostly), and longer days mean more productive work hours. This is when most homeowners want to be under construction.

July–August: Still solid building months, but afternoon thunderstorms can disrupt schedules. If you want your space ready for summer entertaining, you need to be done before this window — not starting.

September–October: Excellent for construction. Cooler temps, more stable weather, fewer storms. But if you're just starting to plan in September, you're likely pushing into the following year for any significant project.

November–February: Construction slows significantly. Frozen ground, snow, and cold temps make most exterior work impractical. This is planning and design season.

The Real Timeline: From First Call to Finished Project

Here's how a typical project unfolds for Boulder, Lafayette, and Broomfield homeowners:

Design Phase: 3–6 weeks

This includes your initial consultation, site assessment, design concepts, revisions, material selections, and final approval. Simple projects move faster. Complex transformations with multiple elements take longer.

Permitting & HOA (if applicable): 1–4 weeks

Some municipalities move quickly. Others don't. HOA approval timelines are even less predictable. We help you navigate this, but we can't control their calendar.

Construction: 1–4 weeks

Actual build time depends on scope. A focused patio project might be 1–2 weeks. A complete outdoor living space with hardscape, plantings, lighting, and irrigation runs 3–4 weeks.

Total realistic timeline: 6–14 weeks from first call to finished space.

Work Backward From When You Want to Enjoy It

Here's the math most people don't do until it's too late:

Want to host a July 4th party on your new patio?

• Construction complete by late June

• Construction starts early June

• Design approved by early May

• Start planning in February/March

Want your space ready for summer?

• Construction complete by mid-June

• Construction starts mid-May

• Design approved by mid-April

• Start planning in January/February

See the pattern? If you're reading this in January and want to enjoy your new outdoor space this summer, now is the time to start the conversation.

What "Planning" Actually Looks Like

When you reach out in winter, here's what happens:

Initial Consultation We visit your property, walk the space, and hear your vision. What do you want to do out here? How do you want to feel? What would make this space a true retreat? This conversation shapes everything.

Site Assessment We evaluate slope, drainage, access, existing conditions, sun exposure, and any challenges. Boulder hillsides are different from flat Lafayette lots. Erie's soil is different from Niwot's.

Design Development Based on our conversation and site assessment, we develop a design concept. You'll see a visual representation of your new space — layout, materials, features, plantings.

Revisions & Selections We refine together. Adjust the patio shape. Swap the stone color. Add lighting. Remove the water feature. This back-and-forth is where your vision becomes a real plan.

Proposal & Scheduling Once design is approved, you get a detailed proposal. If everything looks right, we lock in your construction slot.

All of this takes time. And it's time well spent when you're not in a rush.

Why Waiting Until Spring Costs You

Every year, we get calls in April and May from homeowners who want their project done "before summer." Many are disappointed to learn:

• Our spring construction calendar is already committed

• Rushing design leads to decisions you'll regret

• Permit timelines don't compress because you're in a hurry

• Quality work takes the time it takes

Planning in winter avoids all of this. You get our full attention, a thoughtful design process, and a construction slot that actually works for your timeline.

Ready to Start Planning?

If you're a homeowner in Boulder, Lafayette, Broomfield, Louisville, Erie, or Niwot thinking about transforming your outdoor space this year — let's talk now.

A winter consultation costs you nothing but an hour of your time. You'll leave with a clear sense of what's possible, what it might cost, and when it could realistically happen.

Book a Consultation or call us at 720.818.7920.

The best outdoor retreats in Boulder County aren't built on impulse. They're planned in winter and enjoyed all summer long.

Nature's Way Landscapes designs and builds personalized outdoor living spaces for homeowners across Boulder County and surrounding communities. Learn more about our design-build process or explore our project gallery.