Timing matters in the Black Hills. Our short growing season, unpredictable spring weather, and harsh winters mean you can’t just landscape whenever you feel like it. This guide breaks down the best (and worst) times for different types of landscaping work in western South Dakota.
Spring: March Through May
Spring is the most popular season for landscaping in the Black Hills, but timing within spring matters. March and early April are usually too wet and cold for most work. Late April through May is prime time — the ground has thawed, it’s dry enough to work, and plants are entering their active growth phase.
This is the best time for: hardscaping projects (patios, retaining walls), curbing installation, grading and drainage work, and planting trees and shrubs. The soil is workable, temperatures are moderate, and new plantings have the entire growing season ahead of them.
The downside of spring: everyone else is booking projects too. The best contractors fill their spring calendars by February or March. Plan ahead.
Pro Tip
If you want a spring installation, contact your landscaper in January or February. Waiting until April means you might not get on the schedule until June or later.
Summer: June Through August
Summer is great for hardscaping and curbing — warm, dry weather is ideal for concrete work and paver installation. It’s also when most people want to enjoy their outdoor spaces, which motivates projects.
Planting in summer is riskier. Hot temperatures stress new plants, and supplemental watering is critical. If you’re adding plantings in July or August, be prepared to water consistently until fall.
Summer is also the busiest time for landscapers. If your project isn’t already on the schedule, expect lead times of several weeks. Don’t wait for summer to start planning a summer project.
Fall: September Through November
Fall is the best-kept secret in Black Hills landscaping. September and October offer ideal conditions: cooler temperatures reduce plant stress, the soil is still warm enough for root growth, and there’s usually enough rainfall to help new plantings establish.
Fall is excellent for: tree and shrub planting, perennial installation, overseeding lawns, and curbing. The cooler weather also makes it comfortable for crews to work efficiently.
Late October and November become risky as frost sets in and the ground begins to freeze. Hardscaping projects should wrap up by mid-October to ensure proper base compaction and curing time.
Pro Tip
Fall-planted trees and shrubs often outperform spring-planted ones because their roots establish in cool soil all fall and winter, giving them a head start the following spring.
What About Winter?
Active landscaping work stops in winter — the ground is frozen and conditions don’t allow for planting, grading, or concrete work. But winter is the best time to plan.
Use winter to research, get estimates, finalize designs, and get on your landscaper’s spring schedule. The landscapers who book up fastest are the ones who spend winter planning projects with proactive homeowners.
If you contact a landscaper in December or January, you’re ahead of 90% of homeowners who wait until the snow melts. That’s a real scheduling advantage.
When to Book Your Project
The ideal timeline: plan in winter (December–February), get on the schedule by February or March, and execute in spring or fall. This gives your landscaper time to design, source materials, and schedule your project during prime conditions.
If you’re reading this in the middle of summer and want work done this year, call now. There may still be openings in the fall schedule, and fall is an excellent season for most types of landscaping work.
The worst time to call a landscaper is two weeks before you want the project done. Give yourself and your contractor time to do it right.
