Grand Rapids is an up-and-coming metropolitan area that nearly 200,000 Americans call home. Located on the banks of the Grand River and just a short drive from the beaches of Lake Michigan, the city has an ideal location. The second largest city in Michigan, Grand Rapids was recently dubbed America’s Greenest City by Fast Company magazine and the best city for raising a family by Forbes.

Other Kent County cities in the Grand Rapids area include Kalamazoo, Holland, Muskegon, Grand Haven and more. This region has warm humid summers and cold snowy winters. Lake effect snow storms bring an average of 64 inches of snow a year. While spring and fall are short, they offer some of the most pleasant weather for outdoor activities. These climatic factors impact your landscaping and outdoor living options.

Many homeowners in the Grand Rapids metro opt to install landscapes and outdoor living features that can be used during spring, summer and fall and are durable enough to withstand the harsh winter. You may also want to consider special features like and ice melt system for your driveway and paths or possibly a sunroom. Aside from the snow, deer and shade can create problems when landscaping in Grand Rapids. Make sure the plants used on your property are cold hardy, deer-resistant and shade tolerant. You may also want to consider selecting plants that will provide year-round interest. Evergreens are a popular choice because of their interesting structure and green foliage.

In the past few years, the farm-to-table food movement has taken hold in Grand Rapids. The Fulton Street Farmers Market offers locally grown produce, meat, eggs, cheese and honey and many restaurants in the area specialize in serving dishes created with local ingredients. If you are a fan of this movement, you can go even further by having raised beds vegetable gardens installed at home so you can grow your own fresh vegetables and fruit.

Grand Rapids is also very well known for its art scene. Whether you’re into visual arts or you’re a fan of the performing arts this city has it all. Grand Rapids Art Museum is a great place to check out paintings, sculpture and more, while a number of venues offer concerts and off-Broadway performances. You can also visit Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which showcases unique works of outdoor sculpture as well as a variety of gardens that will inspire ideas for your own landscaping projects.

Each year the Association of Grand Rapids Landscape Professionals awards the top residential projects in the area. Occasionally, these properties may be open for public viewing or you may be able to setup a time to visit the property with the company who installed the landscaping. Another place to get ideas for landscaping is at the West Michigan Home & Garden Show at DeVos Place. This show takes place in early spring and offers educational seminars, product booths and landscape displays created by local companies.