If you’ve been thinking about adding a patio or walkway to your property, you may be wondering whether you should start the project in the fall or wait until spring.
The answer depends on your project, site conditions, weather, contractor availability, and the materials you’re planning to use. However, fall can be a good time to plan—and in the right conditions, complete—a hardscape project.
Even if you’re not ready to install your patio or walkway this year, fall is an excellent time to start planning for next season.
Why Consider a Patio or Walkway Project in the Fall?
Fall is often a good planning season for outdoor projects.
Instead of waiting until spring to start thinking about your patio, you can use the fall to determine what you want, research materials, develop a design, and work with your contractor.
Getting those decisions made early can make it easier to move forward when the next landscaping season arrives.
Cooler Weather Can Make Outdoor Work More Comfortable
Summer temperatures can make outdoor construction physically demanding. Fall’s cooler temperatures can make certain outdoor projects more comfortable to work on.
Of course, weather conditions vary, and any installation needs to be completed under appropriate conditions.
You Can Start Planning Before Spring
If you’ve ever tried to schedule a major landscaping project in the spring, you know that contractors can become busy quickly.
Starting the planning process in the fall gives you time to:
- Choose a material
- Compare colors and styles
- Determine the size of your project
- Establish a budget
- Discuss installation requirements
- Order materials
- Schedule work
You don’t have to wait for the first warm day of spring to begin making decisions.
Patio or Walkway: What Are You Building?
The first step is determining how you plan to use the space.
A patio may be designed for:
- Outdoor dining
- Seating
- Grilling
- Entertaining
- Fire pits
- Outdoor living areas
A walkway has a different purpose. It may connect your driveway to your front door, create a path through a garden, or connect different areas of your property.
The intended use can help determine the appropriate size, layout, and material.
Choosing Materials for Your Project
PRO Landscape Supply carries a wide selection of natural stone and manufactured hardscape materials that can be used for patios, walkways, steps, walls, and other outdoor projects.
Pavers
Manufactured pavers offer a wide variety of colors, shapes, textures, and patterns.
PRO Landscape Supply carries brick, pavers, and wall block from manufacturers including Belgard, Cambridge, and Techo-Bloc.
Pavers can be used to create structured patterns and designs and can coordinate with other elements of your landscape.
Browse available hardscape products
Bluestone
Bluestone provides a natural stone appearance and can be used for patios, walkways, steps, and other outdoor applications.
PRO Landscape Supply offers several bluestone options, including Pattern Thermal Bluestone, PA Bluestone Treads, Standing Irregular Full Range Bluestone, and Tumbled Bluestone.
Flagstone
If you want a more natural and irregular appearance, flagstone is another option.
Flagstone can create a less uniform look and can be used for patios, walkways, stepping areas, and other landscape applications.
PRO Landscape Supply carries several varieties, including Black Regency Flagstone, Chocolate Grey Flagstone, Dove Grey Flagstone, Sunset Gold Flagstone, and Sunset Silver Flagstone.
Granite
Granite can also be incorporated into hardscape projects, particularly for steps and other areas where substantial stone elements are needed.
PRO Landscape Supply carries granite treads in several options.
Don’t Forget the Base
One of the biggest mistakes when planning a patio or walkway is focusing entirely on the surface material.
A successful hardscape project involves more than the pavers or stone you see on the finished surface.
Depending on the project and installation method, the area may require excavation, grading, a properly prepared base, and appropriate aggregate materials.
PRO Landscape Supply carries several aggregate options, including:
- Hard Pack ¾″ Minus Crushed Stone
- Crushed Stone ¾″
- Road Base 1½″ Minus Gravel
- Various sand and aggregate products
The materials required will depend on your project and installation method, so discuss the base requirements with your contractor or installation professional.
What About Drainage?
Drainage should also be considered when planning a patio or walkway.
Water needs to move away from structures and through the landscape appropriately. Poor drainage can create problems for both your hardscape and the surrounding landscape.
When planning a new patio or walkway, consider:
- Where water currently flows
- Whether the area has standing water
- The slope of the property
- Nearby structures
- Existing drainage
- How the new hardscape will affect runoff
Addressing these issues during the planning stage can help prevent problems later.
Should You Install Now or Wait Until Spring?
There isn’t one answer for every project.
If you’re considering a fall installation, discuss the project timeline and site conditions with your contractor. Weather, temperatures, ground conditions, and the specific installation method all matter.
If conditions aren’t appropriate for installation, there’s still plenty you can accomplish in the fall.
You can:
- Measure your space.
- Determine how you want to use the area.
- Research materials.
- Compare colors and styles.
- Create a project budget.
- Choose a contractor.
- Determine your material quantities.
- Plan your project for the following season.
Fall Is a Great Time to Start Planning
Fall gives you an opportunity to slow down, research your options, and make decisions before the next busy landscaping season.
Whether you’re looking for natural stone, pavers, wall block, aggregate, or other landscape materials, PRO Landscape Supply can help you find the materials for your project.
Browse PRO Landscape Supply’s full product selection
Have questions about what materials your project requires? Contact PRO Landscape Supply to discuss your project and material needs.