Why Fall Is the Best Season to Invest in Your Landscape
When you think about landscaping, which season comes to mind first?
If you said spring, you’re not alone. Most homeowners do.
But here’s the truth: fall might actually be the smartest time of year to tackle your landscaping projects.
Cooler temperatures, consistent rainfall, and slower plant growth create ideal conditions for installation — helping your landscape establish stronger roots and perform better long-term. After more than 20 years designing and building landscapes, we’ve learned that autumn consistently produces the best results for major outdoor investments.
Let’s look at why.
The Hidden Advantage of Fall Landscaping
Fall landscaping goes far beyond leaf cleanup or a few pots of mums. It’s about using the natural rhythm of the season to your advantage — from planting trees and shrubs to installing patios, walls, and other hardscape elements.
During fall, plants slow down above ground and redirect their energy below it. This shift helps new plantings establish deep, resilient root systems before the stress of summer heat arrives.
That means your investment has a solid six months of root growth before the next growing season begins — giving your yard a valuable head start.
Why Fall Works Better Than Spring (and Summer)
🌤️ Moderate Temperatures = Healthier Plants
In Michigan, fall temperatures range from about 70°F in September to 40°F in November. That’s perfect planting weather.
By contrast, summer’s 90-degree days put enormous stress on new trees and shrubs as they try to grow roots and foliage simultaneously.
🌱 Stronger Root Systems
Fall-planted trees and shrubs focus all their energy underground, producing strong roots through the cool, moist months.
Come spring, they’re ready to burst into growth.
Spring-planted materials, on the other hand, are often forced to juggle root growth and foliage production at once — a stressful start that can lead to failure.
💰 Potential Cost Savings
There’s also an economic upside.
Lower labor costs: Landscape crews have more availability in fall, making scheduling easier and often more affordable.
Less maintenance: Fall installations require less watering and upkeep during establishment.
Reduced risk: You avoid the high plant mortality rates that often come with summer heat.
Comparing the Seasons
Spring: A natural choice for many, but it comes with drawbacks — limited contractor availability, unpredictable weather, and potential for heat stress on new plants.
Summer: Great for hardscaping if you can handle the heat, but tough on plants and irrigation budgets. Most summer plantings need constant watering and often don’t survive through the next year.
Winter: Ideal for planning, pruning, and design work — but not much else. Frozen ground and delivery delays make it impractical for installations.
Fall: The perfect blend of favorable weather, plant performance, and flexible scheduling.
Projects That Shine in Fall
Large-scale landscape renovations benefit most from fall installation, especially projects involving:
Site grading and drainage work
Patios, walkways, and retaining walls
Irrigation systems
Tree and shrub planting
Lawn renovation or installation
Outdoor living space construction
By starting in September and finishing by late November, your plants gain several months of root growth before spring — setting your property up for success.
Best Fall Plant Choices
Trees:
Oak, maple, redbud, and serviceberry thrive when planted in fall. Take the oak tree, for example — fall planting mimics its natural habitat, giving it moist soil and mild temperatures for healthy root establishment.
Shrubs and Perennials:
Fall installations of viburnum, spirea, hydrangea, and boxwood outperform spring plantings by their second season. The same goes for perennials like coneflower, black-eyed Susan, hosta, and daylilies.
Lawns:
Cool soil and consistent rain make fall perfect for sod or seed. Grass planted in September or October develops deep roots, creating a lush, drought-tolerant lawn by next summer.
Fall Hardscaping: Build Now, Enjoy Sooner
Fall’s cool, dry weather is ideal for building patios, fire pits, retaining walls, and outdoor kitchens. Materials set properly, mortar cures evenly, and you’ll be ready to entertain as soon as spring arrives.
Plus, if you’re installing a fire feature, you can enjoy it right away — crisp evenings practically invite it.
Seasonal Maintenance Snapshot
Fall:
Deep watering before freeze
Root fertilization
Mulching and pruning
Leaf management and irrigation winterization
Spring:
System start-up and fertilization
Cleanup and pest control
Replacement of winter casualties
Summer:
Frequent watering
Heat and drought management
Winter:
Dormant pruning
Equipment maintenance
Design planning
If you landscape in fall, you’ll start winter with a thriving yard that requires far less attention in the months ahead.
Planning Your Fall Project
Getting the timing right matters. Here’s a quick guide to keep you on track:
July–August: Design planning and material selection
September: Begin hardscaping and early planting
October: Ideal for major plant installations (especially trees)
November: Wrap up with hardy plants and finishing touches
Early planning ensures material availability and the smoothest installation process.
Smart Material Selection
Choose plants and materials well-suited to cool-season installation.
Excellent Fall Choices:
Container-grown trees and shrubs
Balled-and-burlapped trees
Hardy perennials and ornamental grasses
Native species
Avoid:
Tender tropicals
Late-season annuals
Plants needing long establishment periods
The Bottom Line
Fall landscaping delivers better plant health, lower costs, and long-term beauty — all under comfortable working conditions.
At Robert Thomas Landscape Environments, we’ve completed hundreds of fall projects that continue to thrive year after year. Our experience proves it: the best landscapes begin in fall.
If you’re ready to explore ideas for your property, let’s start planning your design today.
