Four-Season Landscape Design

As Canadians we are lucky to enjoy four distinct seasons. And with Mother Nature’s help, we seem to be experiencing more and more days of temperate, milder weather than ever before. What this means for many homeowners is that enjoying our backyards is no longer regulated to just the summer months. We are itching to get outside before the first bulbs break through the soil and are happily staying there right up until the first snowfall and sometimes beyond.

It only makes sense, then, that we design our outdoor spaces with this four-season mentality. We should create spaces that are relevant and useful all year round.

Here are a few things to think about when planning your own four-season design:

COVERED LANDSCAPE STRUCTURES

Keep in mind which times of the year you expect to utilize your space. If you want to entertain well into the fall months, you will need to think about a method of heating. Options could include a fireplace, heating lamps or overhead covered structures. The bonus is that once you have something like a covered structure in place, you are likely to use it in the winter and spring as well.

HEAT SOURCES

Adding a fireplace, whether wood-burning or gas, or a fire pit to your outdoor space is one of the easiest ways to extend its use. Fixed heat sources can come in handy in early spring when the temperatures aren’t quite high enough yet to support outdoor entertaining. They can also take the edge off any cool summer nights. And they definitely extend the fall patio season, when you’re just not ready to pack it in and head back inside for the winter. Check out this modern take on a patio heater from Woodland Direct that combines both style & function.

LANDSCAPE SCREENS

The wind is one of the first things we notice when temperatures are changing, whether it’s cooling down or warming up. Investing in a custom-built screening solution is a smart way to go. By protecting a particular environment, a screen ensures you’ll get longer use and more enjoyment from it. It can also add an interesting visual aspect to your space.