Here at Sibley Landscapes, garden design is an integral part of our core services – and we’ve got years of experience helping homeowners move swiftly from early ideas to a plan that can be costed, scheduled, and delivered with confidence.
Of course, timing is key to any garden design project, and most of the pressure points show up long before the first slab is laid. Materials need ordering, access needs thinking through, and groundwork needs to be planned around the seasons.
In Somerset and Devon, wetter weather and softer ground can influence how and when work is best carried out, so a well-timed enquiry gives you more choice and a smoother run into the build.
Winter planning gives you a head start
Why booking a garden designer early is advised in Somerset and Devon
In the South West, winter is often the most practical time to begin planning a garden project. You may not be ready for site work right away, but it is an ideal window to talk through how you want the space to work, what needs changing, and what will make the biggest difference to how you use the garden.
Starting early also tends to make the build stage simpler, because decisions on layout, finishes, and the overall scope can be made before the busiest months arrive.
Beginning the process in late autumn or winter means you are more likely to secure a suitable slot for spring and early summer, which is when demand increases. It also gives you time to explore options properly, rather than rushing choices when the first warm weekend appears, while everyone is trying to book work at the same time!
Lead times depend on scope, access, and materials
How far ahead should you plan?
A sensible baseline is to allow a few months between your first enquiry and the start of construction, particularly if you want the work completed for late spring or summer.
Larger, more impactful transformations, level changes, drainage improvements, and any build that involves walls, steps, structures, or extensive paving can extend that timeline, as the planning and preparation need to be right before the visible finishes begin.
Where you are in Somerset or Devon can also affect the schedule. Rural sites may need extra thought around deliveries, ground conditions, and keeping access usable during wet spells. Town gardens can come with tight routes, neighbouring boundaries, and limited space for material storage, which can influence how the job is phased. When the early planning accounts for these realities, the build itself usually runs with fewer surprises.
From ideas to a buildable plan
What happens first when you contact a landscaper?
The first stage is usually a conversation about how you want the garden to feel and function, alongside practical details like access, privacy, storage, entertaining space, and how the garden connects to the house. This is also the moment to be clear about budget and timing, because the most successful plans respond to both from the outset.
A site visit then helps turn those ideas into something buildable. Levels, drainage behaviour, existing features, and sun and shade all influence the best layout, especially in parts of Somerset and Devon where rainfall and ground conditions can be a deciding factor. From there, the plan can be developed into a clear direction for the build, covering the structure of the space, the key materials, and the features that will shape the finished look.
Better decisions, better availability
Why winter is often the best time to start planning garden design projects in Somerset and Devon
Winter gives you breathing space, and that usually leads to better decisions in the long run. You can consider materials carefully, look at samples, and think about how the garden will look from inside your home during different seasons. You can also plan the practical elements properly: including groundwork, drainage, and any structural work that sits underneath the finished surfaces.
It is also a smart time to enquire from a scheduling point of view. Spring and summer are busy for landscaping across Somerset and Devon, so starting earlier increases the likelihood of securing a build slot that fits your plans. That can be particularly helpful if you are working around family events, holidays, or other building work on the property.
Signs it is time to start the process
When you should book your landscaping project
If you are considering a full garden transformation, it is worth getting in touch as soon as you know you want a change, even if you are still shaping the brief. Early conversations help define what is realistic, what the first steps should be, and which elements will have the biggest impact.
It is also a good time to enquire if the garden has practical issues that affect day-to-day use, such as poor drainage, awkward levels, muddy routes, or a patio layout that does not suit how you live. These problems are often best solved when the structure and flow of the whole space are considered together, because the solution typically involves more than one element working in harmony.
Plan early for a smoother spring build
A realistic timeline for a summer-ready garden
If your aim is a garden that is ready for summer, starting the process in autumn or winter is usually the safest approach. That timing gives you room to agree on the direction, finalise materials, and schedule the build for spring, with enough time for ordering and preparation.
If planting is part of the finished result, early planning also helps you line up the best planting window so the garden settles in good time. A newly built space looks good on completion, but it feels more complete when the planting has had the chance to establish and soften the structure over time.
Start with a conversation about your space
Ready to plan your garden in Somerset or Devon?
If you are wondering when to book a garden designer in Somerset or Devon, it often makes sense to speak to a landscaping team early, because the planning stage shapes everything that follows. A short conversation can clarify the likely lead time, what happens first, and how the project can be timed around the season.
To explore your next steps, get in touch with Sibley’s Landscaping, or take a look through our recent projects portfolio, to get an idea of the standards we set for landscaping and garden design projects across Somerset and Devon.
Posted by Luke Clark on January 30th 2026
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