5 Reasons To Start Planning Your 2026 Landscape Project

It might seem early to start thinking about your 2026 landscape project, but the truth is — the best outdoor spaces start with great planning. From the first design sketch to the final plant in the ground, every beautiful landscape takes time, coordination, and collaboration.

Whether you’re dreaming of a backyard retreat, a lakeside patio, or a simple update that boosts curb appeal, getting a head start ensures your project runs smoothly from concept to completion.

Here are five important reasons why now is the perfect time to start planning your 2026 landscape project:

When the snow melts and spring arrives, our schedule fills up quickly — especially for larger or more custom projects. Starting the planning process early means you’ll get on our schedule ahead of the crowd, securing your preferred timeline for installation.

If you wait until spring to reach out, you may find that lead times have stretched into summer or even fall. By planning ahead, you’re giving yourself the advantage of choice — choice of timing, materials, and priority scheduling.

Getting started now also allows us to prepare for any necessary permits, materials, or coordination with other contractors, so your project stays on track and avoids costly delays.

Landscape design is a creative process — and the best results come when there’s time to think, explore, and refine ideas. Planning ahead gives you the breathing room to truly consider how you’ll use your outdoor space and what you want it to feel like.

Maybe you’re envisioning a cozy fire pit area, a retaining wall that blends into your natural surroundings, or a complete transformation with irrigation, lighting, and new plantings. These details take time to get just right.

Early planning also means our design team can create multiple layout options, adjust features to match your budget, and even incorporate seasonal photos or drone imagery of your property into the design. You’ll have time to visualize your future landscape and feel confident in every decision.

Large outdoor projects are an investment in your home — and your lifestyle. By starting the process early, you can plan financially and even phase the project over time if that makes sense for your goals.

Many of our clients choose to complete hardscaping (like patios, retaining walls, or pathways) in the first phase, and then add planting, irrigation, or lighting in the next. Early planning gives you the flexibility to break your project into manageable stages and create a comfortable payment timeline.

The extra time also lets you take advantage of end-of-season or early-order material pricing when available — another benefit of being ahead of the curve.

Fall and winter are the perfect times to start planning because our design and consultation schedules are more flexible. You’ll have more focused time with our team, faster turnaround on designs, and earlier access to estimates and material options.

Off-season planning also means you can make decisions at a more relaxed pace, without the pressure of trying to fit into an already-full construction calendar. We can walk you through previous projects for inspiration, help fine-tune your goals, and prepare your site for an early start once the ground thaws.

This approach turns what is typically the “off” season into a time of progress and preparation — so you’re ready to move forward when spring arrives.

Minnesota weather doesn’t always follow the calendar — some years, we can begin projects weeks earlier than expected. When you’ve already completed your design, approvals, and planning, we can take advantage of those early spring windows to get your project underway.

That means you’ll be relaxing on your new patio, enjoying your upgraded irrigation system, or entertaining around your new fire feature long before summer hits.

Planning ahead also minimizes stress. When your project is already lined up and ready to go, you can simply look forward to the transformation rather than scrambling to catch up when the busy season begins.

It’s never too early to start planning your next outdoor upgrade — and the earlier you begin, the smoother and more rewarding the process will be.

At Precision Landscape & Irrigation, we believe that thoughtful design and early preparation lead to better results. Whether you’re envisioning a simple update or a complete outdoor transformation, we’ll help you plan every detail so your 2026 project is ready to shine.

Start your 2026 planning today! Visit plandscapes.com/request-a-quote or call us at (218) 367-LAWN (5296) to schedule your consultation.