When should you start planning your patio? Check out this timeline.
As the snow begins to melt across Eden Prairie, Edina, and Woodbury, homeowners start dreaming about their perfect outdoor living spaces. But here's what most Twin Cities residents don't realize: the key to enjoying your new patio by early summer lies in decisions you make this winter.
After nearly three decades of creating stunning outdoor destinations across the Twin Cities metro, our design team at Minnesota Landscapes has perfected the art of timing. We've learned that homeowners who start their patio planning in February consistently have the best outcomes, while those who wait until spring often face delays, limited availability, and rushed decisions they later regret.
The most successful patio and hardscape projects share one common factor: they begin during Minnesota's coldest months. This might seem counterintuitive, but winter is actually the most strategic time for patio planning.
When you schedule your design consultation in February, you're not just beating the rush. You're gaining access to our design team's full attention, creative energy, and time to thoughtfully consider every detail of your outdoor space. During peak season, our designers work with demanding timelines. In winter, they can dedicate the hours needed to create something truly exceptional.
Consider what happened with a recent Woodbury client. They contacted us in January with a vision for an expanded backyard patio featuring a custom grilling station. Because we had the luxury of time, Patrick could visit their property multiple times, study how the afternoon sun moved across their yard, and design a space that maximized their entertaining potential while respecting their property's natural topography.
The result? A stunning Belgard Dimensions paver patio with integrated outdoor lighting that was completed by summer.
Let's break down the ideal timeline for homeowners targeting a June patio completion. This schedule reflects 29 years of experience managing projects across every Twin Cities community, from White Bear Lake to Apple Valley.
February: Initial Design Consultation and Vision Development
Your patio journey begins with a complimentary virtual or in-person design consultation. This is when our design-first philosophy truly shines. Unlike contractors who simply execute your ideas, our team—led by professional landscape designers Patrick Erkens and Kelly Bremer—helps you discover possibilities you never imagined.
During this phase, we'll discuss your lifestyle needs, entertaining habits, and aesthetic preferences. Do you envision intimate family dinners or large gatherings? Will you need integrated outdoor lighting for evening use? How do you want to incorporate your existing landscaping?
These conversations happen best when there's no rush. In February, Patrick and Kelly can spend extended time understanding your vision, analyzing your property's unique characteristics, and beginning the creative process that transforms ordinary yards into extraordinary outdoor living spaces.
For Eden Prairie homeowners, this is also the time to address site-specific challenges. Many Eden Prairie properties feature challenging topography and clay soil conditions that require expert design solutions. Winter consultation gives us time to evaluate these factors properly.
March: Design Development and Material Selection
March marks the transition from concept to concrete plan. This is when your vision takes shape through detailed design work, material selection, and project specifications.
Our designers will present you with a comprehensive plan that addresses every aspect of your exterior design. This includes patio placement and sizing, paver material and pattern selection (such as premium Belgard or Unilock products), integration with existing landscape features, drainage solutions for Minnesota's notorious clay soil, and lighting design for safety and ambiance.
Material selection deserves special attention. The pavers you choose must withstand Minnesota's brutal freeze-thaw cycles while maintaining their beauty for decades. Our team guides you through options, explaining how different Belgard and Unilock products perform in our climate, which colors complement your home's exterior, and how various laying patterns affect the visual scale of your space.
One Edina client spent three visits in March perfecting their material choices. They ultimately selected a Belgard Dimensions product that provided the updated, modern aesthetic they wanted while fitting beautifully with their home's traditional architecture. This thoughtful selection process—impossible to rush—resulted in a patio that looks like it was always meant to be there.
March is also when we finalize the integration of comprehensive services. Perhaps you need problematic trees removed before installation, strategic plantings to frame your new patio, or professional landscape lighting to extend your outdoor enjoyment after dark. Our design-build approach means all these elements work together seamlessly.
April: Project Finalization and Schedule Confirmation
As Minnesota thaws, your project moves into its final planning phase. April is dedicated to finalizing every detail, securing necessary permits, and confirming your installation schedule.
This is when Rick Morrison, our Operations Manager with ISA and ICPI certifications, reviews the technical aspects of your project. His expertise ensures that base preparation, drainage systems, and installation methods meet or exceed industry standards—critical factors in Minnesota's challenging climate.
For homeowners in communities like Mendota Heights or Cottage Grove, April is also when we coordinate any necessary HOA approvals or municipal permits. Because we've built these relationships over nearly three decades, this process typically moves smoothly.
By late April, you'll have a confirmed installation schedule. Homeowners who started their planning in February now occupy prime spots on our calendar—typically late May or early June installations that ensure completion before summer gatherings begin.
May-Early June: Professional Installation
Installation timing depends on ground conditions and weather, but most projects scheduled during winter planning begin in mid-to-late May. This is when our experienced crews transform your property into the outdoor oasis you've been planning for months.
Our installation process reflects the expertise of Rick Morrison's training and our culture of excellence. Every project begins with meticulous site preparation, including proper excavation depths, comprehensive base preparation designed for Minnesota soil conditions, installation of effective drainage systems, and attention to frost depth requirements.
For properties with challenging clay soil—common throughout Eagan, Rosemount, and much of the Twin Cities metro—proper base preparation is non-negotiable. This is where our ICPI certification and decades of experience prevent the settling, cracking, and drainage problems that plague poorly installed patios.
Throughout installation, we maintain proactive communication. You'll know what's happening each day, when to expect completion, and how we're addressing any site-specific challenges that arise.
Early June: Project Completion and Outdoor Living Begins
By early June, your patio is complete and ready for its first gathering. The furniture arrives, the grill is positioned perfectly in its custom station, and the landscape lighting you designed in March now illuminates your space as evening falls.
This is the moment when winter planning pays off. While your neighbors are just starting to think about patio projects—and facing 8-10 week lead times—you're hosting your first outdoor dinner party.
Every spring, we receive calls from homeowners who waited until warm weather to start their patio planning. These conversations are difficult because we have to explain the reality of spring scheduling in the landscaping industry.
When you contact a professional landscape design-build company in April or May, you're competing with every other Twin Cities homeowner who had the same idea. Our design team's schedule fills quickly, and installation dates extend into July, August, or even early fall.
But timing isn't the only cost of waiting. Rushed design decisions lead to regrets. We've seen homeowners who felt pressured to choose materials quickly, only to wish later they'd selected a different paver color or pattern. We've watched people compromise on patio size because they didn't have time to properly evaluate their space and needs.
One Woodbury couple contacted us in late May, desperate to have their patio completed for a family reunion in July. While we completed their project on an accelerated timeline, they later admitted they wished they'd had more time to think through the grilling station design and consider adding a fire feature. Those elements would have required just a few additional weeks of planning—weeks they didn't have because they started too late.
Minnesota's climate creates unique considerations for patio installation timing. Understanding these factors helps explain why winter planning leads to optimal installation schedules.
Our frost depth typically extends 3-6 feet into the ground. This means we can't begin excavation until the ground thaws, usually in April or early May depending on winter severity. Attempting installation before proper thaw leads to inadequate compaction and future settling problems.
Spring also brings Minnesota's wettest season. Heavy rains can delay installation, but these delays matter less when you've built buffer time into your schedule. Homeowners who plan in February and schedule May installations can accommodate weather delays and still complete by early June. Those who start planning in May have no such flexibility.
Ground conditions must be right for proper compaction—critical for long-term patio stability. Our crews need several dry days to achieve the compaction standards required for ICPI-certified installations. Winter planning allows us to choose optimal installation windows rather than rushing during less-than-ideal conditions.
Our design-first approach distinguishes us from typical landscaping contractors who simply execute your ideas. Patrick Erkens and Kelly Bremer bring professional design expertise that transforms good ideas into exceptional outdoor living spaces.
Patrick specializes in hardscape design and has been helping homeowners realize their outdoor potential since 2009. His approach involves understanding how you'll actually use your space—not just what you think you want—and designing around those real-world needs.
Kelly serves as both a designer and plant manager, bringing unique expertise in integrating hardscapes with beautiful, low-maintenance landscaping. Her knowledge ensures your new patio sits within a cohesive landscape design rather than feeling arbitrarily placed.
Together, they've designed hundreds of patios, walkways, and outdoor living spaces across every Twin Cities community. They understand the nuances of Minneapolis urban lots, the topography challenges in Dellwood, and the clay soil issues throughout St. Paul suburbs.
When you work with our design team starting in February, you benefit from their full creative energy and attention to detail. They can visit your property multiple times, study how sunlight and shadows move across your yard throughout the day, and design solutions that account for your property's unique characteristics.
One advantage of early planning is the opportunity to think holistically about your outdoor space. Most homeowners don't just need a patio—they need a comprehensive transformation that includes tree services, strategic plantings, proper drainage, and professional lighting.
Winter consultations give us time to evaluate your entire property and recommend a cohesive plan. Perhaps that aging oak tree blocking your afternoon sun should be removed before patio installation. Maybe privacy screening with evergreens would make your new outdoor space more intimate. Or perhaps your yard's drainage issues need to be addressed simultaneously with patio construction.
Our design-build model means we handle everything—from tree removal to paver installation to landscape lighting. This integrated approach delivers better results than hiring separate contractors for each element. Everything works together because it was designed together.
As you consider your patio project, remember that the best time to start planning is right now—during Minnesota's coldest months. February consultations position you for early June completion, giving you the entire summer to enjoy your investment.
The homeowners who love their patios most are those who gave themselves time to plan thoughtfully, make informed material selections, and work collaboratively with our design team. They didn't rush decisions or compromise on features that matter. They invested time in February and March to ensure their outdoor space would be perfect.
Your outdoor living space deserves this level of attention. It's not just about installing pavers—it's about creating a destination that reflects your lifestyle, enhances your property value, and becomes the setting for decades of memories.
Ready to start planning your spring patio installation? Contact Minnesota Landscapes at 651-457-0000 or email info@minnesotalandscapes.com to schedule your complimentary design consultation.
Our design team serves homeowners throughout the Twin Cities metro, including Eden Prairie, Edina, Woodbury, White Bear Lake, Shoreview, Afton, Mendota, Mendota Heights, Cottage Grove, Apple Valley, Eagan, Rosemount, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Dellwood.
Visit our Projects Gallery to see examples of patios and outdoor living spaces we've designed and built across the Twin Cities, or explore our comprehensive Exterior Design Services to learn more about our design-first approach.
Don't wait until spring—start planning today and ensure your new patio is ready for summer entertaining.
