Winter in Vancouver, WA, is a unique season. Unlike other parts of the country, we trade snowstorms for months of rain, drizzle, and damp, gray days. For many homeowners, this means the backyard becomes a "no-go" zone—a soggy, muddy space that’s best forgotten until the first signs of spring.
But winter isn't an "off-season" for your landscape. It's a critical time for protection and preparation.
What you do (or don't do) in these wet months can determine the health of your lawn and plants come April. Even more importantly, this "dormant" season is actually the perfect time to plan the hardscaping projects and outdoor living spaces you’ve been dreaming of.
Here’s our guide to winter-proofing your Pacific Northwest yard and making the most of the season.
Part 1: Winter Protection & Maintenance Tasks
Our mild, wet winters create specific challenges. Moss, fungus, and poor drainage are the main enemies. Here are a few essential tasks for your whole landscape.
Rake Those Leaves (Seriously!) A thick, wet mat of leaves is the worst thing for your lawn. It blocks sunlight, traps moisture, and creates a breeding ground for fungus that can leave you with a patchy, dead lawn in the spring.
Protect Your Hardscape Features from Moss Notice your paver patio, stone walkways, or retaining walls getting a green, slippery sheen? That’s moss and algae, and they thrive in our damp climate. Use a stiff-bristle broom (not metal) to scrub it away. A proper cleaning now prevents your hardscaping from becoming slick, hazardous, and stained.
Inspect Your Existing Hardscapes Take a walk during a downpour. Do you see cracks in your walkways? Is your retaining wall leaning? Is water pooling heavily on your patio? Winter reveals structural or drainage issues in your existing hardscaping that a professional hardscape contractor can fix, often before a bigger spring project.
Prune Smartly Winter is the ideal time to prune many dormant trees and shrubs. With the leaves gone, you can clearly see the plant's structure and make strategic cuts that will encourage healthy, vigorous growth in the spring.
Mind the Mud (and Frost) Try to stay off your saturated lawn as much as possible. Walking on soggy grass compacts the soil, which damages the roots and makes it harder for the lawn to recover.
Part 2: The 'Secret' Season for Hardscape Design & Planning
Here’s the part most homeowners miss: Winter is the best time to plan a major hardscape project.
Why? Think about it.
You See the "Bones" of Your Yard Without leaves and summer growth, your yard's true structure is exposed. You can clearly see the slopes, the "bare" spots, and the layout, making it the perfect time to visualize a new hardscape design.
Problems Are Obvious Where does that giant puddle always form? Which path turns into an unavoidable mud pit? Where does water pool against your foundation? These winter drainage problems are top-of-mind now, making it the perfect time to design hardscaping solutions—like a retaining wall to manage a slope, a paver patio built with correct drainage, or a permeable walkway.
You Beat the Spring Rush This is the big one. Every year, landscaping and hardscaping companies get flooded with calls on the first sunny day in March. By then, the schedule for spring is often already full.
Starting the hardscape design process in winter means you get a relaxed, thoughtful consultation. You have time to discuss materials for patios, fire pits, and outdoor kitchens. You can secure your spot with a professional hardscape contractor before the rush.
What Hardscaping Are You Dreaming Of?
As you look out your window at the damp yard, what do you wish you saw?
A beautiful, level paver patio for entertaining?
A custom stone fire pit or outdoor fireplace to gather around?
A sturdy, stylish retaining wall to finally create more usable, flat space?
An elegant stone walkway that keeps your feet out of the mud?
The ultimate outdoor kitchen for summer barbecues?
These projects, which are all part of a professional landscape design, are the foundation of a functional, four-season outdoor living space.
The journey to building them starts right now.
For homeowners in the area, the first step is to consult with a team that specializes in
Don’t just wait for spring. Use this season to your advantage, and start planning the hardscaping that will make your yard the one you’ll love all year long.