Your instincts on this are right on track. If you wait a year, the wood will turn gray, and may even show deterioration from the weather. Cedar should be stained as soon as it will accept the stain. This is easy to determine with penetrating semi-transparent stains. Apply the stain, if it soaks in its ready. If it pools on the surface, do it later.

By staining early, you provide UV and water protection to the wood. The natural drying process is slowed down a bit, but that helps prevent cracking. Even if you don't get great penetration of the stain, the worst that will happen is that you will need a second application next year. Not a bad idea anyway. Penetrating oil stains will not form a film, so early staining cannot cause peeling, chipping or loss of adhesion. I recommend staining as soon as the wood feels and looks dry and weather permits.

..right on track, here is a quote from the cedar deck assc. on finishing exter cedar decks:

"Decks should never be allowed to weather before finishing.The simplest, but most labor-intensive, finish to maintain on a cedar deck is a water-repellent preservative, which may have to be applied annually. The next easiest is a semi-transparent oil-based stain. Both types of finishes are extremely effective in stopping the absorption of water and are recommended. It is important to ensure that the product has been specifically formulated to withstand the abrasive effects of foot traffic."

For more visit: http://www.cedar-deck.org/finishing_cedar_decks/overview.htm

http://www.altereagle.com/

http://decks-ca.com

http://kingofcrown.com

Alter Eagle Construction & Design

Thank you. I stained it this weekend based on your feedback. I appreciate your insight and help.