Top 5 Landscaping Tips for Zeeland, MI

Your landscaping needs to be specialized to your property’s microclimate. For example, the town of Zeeland’s sandy soil is typical for the Lake Michigan shoreline. Follow these five Zeeland-focused landscaping tips to keep your plants lush and healthy

1. Choose Native Plants Built for Michigan

Zeeland gets humid summers, cold winters, an occasional spring freeze, and plenty of lake effect weather, like most areas in West Michigan. With soil that drains quickly and wide swings in seasonal moisture, it’s best to plant species that can handle dry stretches and sudden cold snaps. Try mixing in:

Prioritize drought- and cold-tolerant plants. Some native choices you can add to the mix include:

• Black-eyed Susan
• Coneflower
• Serviceberry
• Switchgrass
• Boxwood for hedging

2. Add Mulch to Garden Beds

Fresh mulch protects plant roots and keeps weeds from taking over your garden beds. This is especially useful in sandy soils in Zeeland that dry out quickly during summer. Natural hardwood mulch works well without artificial dyes or chemicals.

Christian Brothers can help you select the right mulch and take care of spreading it each spring.

3. Aerate & Overseed in the Fall

Lawns in Zeeland take a beating during summer, especially in high-use areas. Aeration opens compacted soil, and overseeding fills in thin spots so your lawn can bounce back next spring. The best time is late August through early October, when cooler temperatures and rainfall help new grass take root.

4. Plan for Winter

Zeeland can get battered each year with lake-effect snow and ice storms. If you have a long driveway or manage a commercial lot, schedule snow and ice services early before capacity fills up after the first major snowfall.

Your trees also need special attention. In late fall, you should also:

• Prune back weak or dead limbs to reduce the risk of breakage during ice storms
• Wrap young or sensitive trees and shrubs to protect them from frost damage

This prep goes a long way in preventing tree damage and costly cleanup after storms.

5. Install Hardscapes in Summer

Planning a new paver patio or retaining wall? Hold off until June or later. Zeeland’s early summers tend to be drier than spring, which makes for better working conditions and fewer delays.

If you’re thinking ahead about outdoor living spaces, we recommend scheduling a consultation in spring to choose the design and materials.

Other Tips to Know

• Hydroseed for new or bare areas: Hydroseeding is your best bet if you need to establish new grass as soon as possible. Zeeland has frequent spring and autumn rainfall that can make it easier to establish new grass when you work with a hydroseeding specialist.
• Don’t water every day: Deep, infrequent watering can improve root growth for your plants. However, when you water your plants, do it early in the morning to maximize absorption.
• Schedule monthly bed maintenance: Once per month between April and October, hand-pull weeds, trim back your perennials, and check for signs of blight or leaf spots on your plants.