The hidden economics of seasonal landscaping
Starting a landscaping project in the middle of the spring is a recipe for a migraine.
Prices jump in the spring and materials? They run out faster than you can buy them. And don’t even think about getting a contractor because they’re all booked solid weeks in advance. You might think you’re planning a garden, but in reality, you’re competing in an auction. Landscaping has its own economic cycle, and if you get the timing wrong, your project will completely drain your budget.
| U.S. citizens have spent an avg. of $3.370 (USD) per household on landscaping and lawn care (2023); 65% of total spending was in the spring and summer period. – National Gardening Association |
That is, if you even manage to do it.
Mulch, soil, stone, plants, and everything else you need don’t have the same price year-round. When demand goes up, so do the prices. When it goes down, suppliers want to move the stock that’s left so they can keep making money.
For a business owner, this cycle creates both a problem and an opportunity.
Seasonal demand in landscaping
Every year, the calendar is the same for landscaping.
Everyone wants fresh mulch and new plants in spring and summer. They also want their projects to be finished in the blink of an eye. This rush means that the demand goes through the roof and, when too many people want the same things at once, supplies run short and prices go up.
A lot of people opt to browse for the term ‘landscape supplies near me‘ online in order to find local sources because, if the materials are close, they’ll be delivered faster and have fewer surprise expenses.
Fall also has a wave of sorts. It’s the time for cleanups and last-minute fixes before the cold comes. By winter, most projects are either finished or they stop, which is when prices usually become significantly lower. Aside from the season, the weather is another factor to consider. It could be March, but if it’s warm, people will start buying supplies earlier.
Heavy rains, on the other hand, will delay all work and create a huge surge later on.
| Landscaping sales spike 20-30% earlier than usual in years that have average higher-than-average temperatures during the springtime. – IBIS World ‘Landscaping Services Market Report’ |
Price swings and the effect on materials and budgets
Mulch, stone, soil, plants, and fertilizers are the materials that change the price the most.
It can help to buy them in bulk, but if you don’t have the space to store all the extra stuff, then there’s no point. Besides, you need to think about the price of fuel and trucking, which means that your big savings might not be that big after all.
| In the U.S. (2023), mulch prices ranged from $15 to $65 (USD) per cubic yard; peak months saw 25% higher costs. – Home Advisor |
When the supply chain slows down or when shipments are late, prices get even higher. Small businesses feel it the most because they have neither the cash nor the storage to handle sudden jumps. This creates another problem because the situation makes it harder for them to bid on projects, since the prices fluctuate so much. Bigger companies handle this a lot better, and they usually buy more, so they have extra stock on hand.
| Labor costs avg. is $55-75 (USD) per hour in peak months; $35-50 per hour off-season. – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
The smartest thing to do? Plan early and buy before the busy season.
Timing strategies
When you think about it, the cost of landscaping doesn’t really depend on what you buy, but on when you buy it.
This is why you need to think about timing, so let’s go over a few very useful strategies for businesses.
Buy materials in slower months
It’s simple – buy materials after the busy season.
Suppliers don’t want their stock to sit around, so in late fall and winter, they drop their prices. This is the best time to stock up because you’ll have everything you need once spring rolls around, and you won’t have to empty your bank account to pay for it.
Get better deals on labor
You shouldn’t try to find workers in the middle of summer because everyone’s trying to hire them, and their labor is much more expensive. There’s less competition during the off-season, so it’s easier and cheaper to get help.
Line up jobs outside the busy season to save both time and money.
Catch suppliers at the right time
Suppliers have their own schedules, and they all want to clear out old stock before the new orders arrive. Time your purchases to those cycles because you’ll be able to cut a much better deal.
You can even set up long-term agreements.
Don’t overload on supplies
It’s smart to buy early, but if you buy too much too fast, it’ll backfire.
Unless you have the space and the cash to cover all of it, stockpiling materials will cause more problems than it will solve. It’s better to buy enough to stay ahead of the rising prices, but not so much that it causes issues with your budget.
Conclusion
Landscaping looks like dirt, mulch, stone, grass… But in reality, landscaping is about timing and money.
At the end of the day, the ‘hidden’ economics aren’t really hidden at all. They’re right there in the calendar, but if you don’t pay attention to the rhythm, you’re in for some nasty surprises.