A Landscape for All Seasons: An Inside Look at a REWILD Installation
Is It Ever "Too Late" in the Year to Start?
One of the questions we often hear in the fall is, "Have I missed my chance for landscaping this year?" The answer is almost always no! Late autumn is a fantastic time to install the "bones" of a garden. Here’s a look at how one of our recent projects unfolded, showcasing the multi-season process of creating an ecological landscape in Ottawa.
Laying the Groundwork in Late Fall
Our installation team began this project last November. The colder weather is ideal for focusing on hardscaping and foundational elements without the pressure of summer heat. During this phase, the crew installed:
A functional bioswale system to manage water on the property.
A beautiful patio with durable Quebec sandstone.
A unique walkway using flagstones the homeowner had sourced from New Brunswick.
A charming footbridge designed to be crossed with bicycles.
With the core structure in place, we also spread a native seed mix over the prepared areas to get a head start on germination for the following spring.
Winter's Impact & Spring Adjustments
The Ottawa winter is the ultimate test for any new installation. The freeze-thaw cycle can cause slight settling and shifting in hardscaping. As we anticipated, some minor adjustments were needed come spring. We also assessed the germination of the fall-sown seed mix. While some seeds came up, germination was lower than hoped for—a common and unpredictable part of late-season seeding that informs our next steps.
Summer Planting & Refinements
This is where the garden truly begins to come alive! This summer, our team returned to the site for the crucial finishing touches:
They touched up the walkway and patio, re-settling stones where the winter had caused minor shifts to ensure long-term stability.
They added full-sized native plants to supplement the seeded areas, providing instant impact and ensuring a lush, vibrant look for the homeowners to enjoy this season.
An ecological garden is built in layers, and the final touch for this project is still to come! We'll be returning in the next few weeks to install the shrub layer, which will add another level of structure, habitat, and four-season interest to the landscape. This project is a great example of our multi-season installation process. Creating a resilient landscape in Ottawa means working with our climate, not against it. It involves adapting to the seasons and responding to how a site matures.
Ready to rewild your garden?
Whether it's spring, summer, or fall, it's always the right time to start planning. Our REWILD team specializes in ecological landscape design and professional installation with a process that respects the seasons and is built for long-term success.
