The calendar may argue that spring is just around the corner, but Albertans know better than to expect winter to leave for good until mid-May. But with such a short growing season in our province, many Calgarians are wondering how they can stretch their summer and get a jump start on landscaping. A common question is just how early is too early to get started?

Get Planning.

If you’re thinking of transforming your yard from a yellowed grass graveyard to a fully landscaped oasis, it’s fair to say you probably have quite a few ideas swirling around your mind. There are so many things to consider such as: which trees to plant, where to incorporate rocks and hardscape, do you want a water feature, what sort of shrubs and perennials will you plant, and do you want a path? You’ll also need to ask yourself what each area of your design is for. Common uses for a backyard are entertaining, cooking, dining, swimming, vegetable gardening, and playing. In your front yard, you’re more likely to relax or grow a floral garden. Does your design accommodate the needs of your pets? Your children? Your potential grandchildren?

Often times, clients who have just started thinking about landscaping will have a million ideas but no solid design concept. Meeting with our experts can help to organize your thoughts and solidify a few ideas on paper. And, of course, a consultation can happen as early in spring as you want!

Start Sprouting.

If you already have some certainties in your plan — like a vegetable patch or a flower garden — you can start choosing the plants already. Pick a sunny window and create a little shelf that lets you line up pots for easy watering access. You may also want to invest in a full spectrum light to give your plants a great headstart, but it’s up to you. Choose which plants you want to grow and start planting! Aim to start your plants about 6 weeks before you want to move them outdoors. In Calgary, we recommend holding off until after the May Long Weekend to move plants outside. That means you can begin planting in early April. Don’t forget to label your plants!

Find the Right Team.

Another thing you can start doing right now is deciding which Calgary landscaping team you want to work with. There seem to be more and more landscapers in Calgary popping up each year, so it can be a challenge to figure out which teams are reputable, and who will provide you with a great finished project and the service you deserve. We recommend choosing a Calgary landscaper that’s been in the business at least a couple years and has a portfolio of projects. A landscaper who has worked with municipalities before is also a safe decision. If they’ve been vetted for city projects, you can be certain their team is professional and offers high quality services that you can trust.

At Five Star Landscaping, we can’t wait for the weather to warm up! We want to get outside and start shaping yards and helping plants thrive. If you’re as impatient as we are, why not start thinking about which landscaping team you want to work with this summer? Give Five Star Landscaping a call today, and we can schedule a consultation to discuss your upcoming project.