Winter in West Michigan is no joke. Snowstorms, freezing temperatures, and icy conditions can make your driveway and sidewalks treacherous. To keep our homes safe, we rely on salt and deicing products to prevent slips and falls. However, these winter salts, while effective at melting ice, can do a lot of damage to your lawn and driveway. In this post, we’ll explore how winter salt affects your landscaping, how to mitigate the damage, and what you can do to repair salt-stressed areas after a rough season. Why Salt is Harmful to Lawns, Driveways, and Sidewalks in West Michigan The Science of Salt Damage Winter salt (sodium chloride or rock salt) works by lowering the freezing point of water, which helps prevent ice from forming on your driveway and sidewalks. While it’s highly effective for ice control, the salt often gets carried onto lawns and landscaped areas, damaging grass and plants in the process. Here's how salt affects different surfaces: Lawns: Salt dehydrates the soil, leading to plant desiccation. It also increases soil salinity, which can make it harder for your grass to absorb water and nutrients. Over time, the grass weakens and dies, creating bare spots in your yard. Driveways & Sidewalks: The freezing and thawing caused by salt can lead to cracking and degradation of concrete, asphalt, and other hard surfaces. Salt also accelerates the corrosion of metal surfaces, such as vehicles, fences, and railings. W est Michigan’s Winter Climate & Salt Usage West Michigan's winter climate makes salt use almost unavoidable. With an average annual snowfall of over 70 inches in cities like Grand Rapids, salt and deicing products become essential for maintaining safety. However, Michigan’s cold, wet winters make it particularly challenging to manage salt runoff. Heavy snowfalls, followed by quick freezes, often lead to over-salting and eventual damage to local ecosystems. In fact, Michigan uses an estimated 500,000 tons of salt annually for road treatment, much of which ends up on lawns, streets, and natural areas. How to Mitigate Salt Damage in West Michigan While salt is necessary for winter safety, there are ways to mitigate its harmful effects on your property. Here are a few strategies to minimize salt damage: 1. Use Salt Alternatives or Reduce Salt Usage Alternatives: Consider using eco-friendly deicing products such as calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), potassium chloride, or sand. These alternatives are less damaging to your plants and harder surfaces. Though they may be slightly more expensive, they are less likely to harm your landscape in the long run. Strategic Application: Instead of salting every inch of your driveway or sidewalk, focus on high-traffic areas. Using salt sparingly reduces the total runoff and minimizes potential damage to your lawn and hardscapes. 2. Keep Your Lawn Clean Rinse Off Salt: After a snowstorm, brush or rinse off any salt that has accumulated on your lawn, driveway, or sidewalk. Sweep Instead of Shovel: If possible, use a broom or a shovel with a rubber edge to remove snow and ice rather than spreading large amounts of salt. This will limit how much salt ends up on your grass or landscaping. Repairing Salt Damage to Lawns, Driveways, and Sidewalks After a season of heavy snow and salting, it’s time to repair the damage. Here’s how to restore your lawn, driveway, and sidewalks to their former glory: 1. Repairing Lawns Affected by Salt Damage Reseed Bare Spots: Once the weather warms up, reseed any damaged areas. Make sure to use a seed variety that is suitable for Michigan’s climate, such as Kentucky bluegrass or fescue. These varieties are cold-tolerant and resistant to environmental stresses. Soil Amendment: Amend the soil with compost and organic matter to improve its structure and water retention. This will help your lawn recover and reduce the impact of salt in the future. Apply a Layer of Mulch: In areas where plants are suffering, adding a layer of mulch can help insulate the roots and prevent further dehydration caused by salt. 2. Repairing Driveways and Sidewalks Seal Cracks and Joints: Salt can cause cracks and chips in concrete or asphalt. After the thaw, inspect your driveways and sidewalks for damage and fill any cracks with appropriate sealants. Reseal Concrete: Consider resealing concrete surfaces every few years to protect against the corrosive effects of salt. Sealant will create a barrier between the salt and your concrete, reducing long-term damage. Protect Your Landscape This Winter and Beyond Winter salt damage is an unfortunate reality in West Michigan, but with proper planning, you can protect your lawn, driveway, and sidewalks. At Alfresco, we use alternative deicing products, specifically liquid de-icer, to minimize the risks of damage to our client’s driveways, sidewalks, yards, and plants. If you would like to utilize our winter services, contact us today. If salt damage has already occurred, we are happy to help you take action in the spring with proper lawn care, reseeding, and soil treatment. Need help maintaining your landscape through Michigan’s harsh winters? Contact Alfresco Landscapes today for advice, salt damage repair services, and winter solutions. Let’s keep your yard healthy and beautiful all year round.

When you create a beautiful landscape, it is important to keep the space healthy so that it thrives for years to come. Just as the foundation of a house ensures its stability, aftercare ensures your landscape stands the test of time, keeping it vibrant, beautiful, and functional. After all, the beauty of your outdoor space depends on its ongoing health and maintenance, and that’s where post-installation care comes in. Why Landscape Maintenance Matters A landscape isn’t a one-time project; it’s an investment that continues to evolve and grow. Landscape maintenance is the key to making sure your outdoor space remains as stunning as the day it was installed. Proper maintenance, seasonal adjustments, and timely repairs not only protect your investment but also ensure that your landscape continues to enhance the look and value of your property. Without regular attention, even the best-planned landscapes can eventually show signs of wear and overgrowth, affecting their overall health and appearance. What Landscape Maintenance Includes Your landscape may need a variety of maintenance over the changing seasons. This care can include: Watering and Irrigation Plants and grass need consistent watering to thrive. During the initial stages after installation, proper irrigation is crucial to establishing roots. A well-designed irrigation system can help, but it's essential to monitor it regularly to ensure it’s functioning efficiently. Don’t forget to adjust watering schedules during different seasons to match the needs of your plants as too much water and not enough water can be equally detrimental to your plantings. Pruning and Trimming Plants, shrubs, and trees need trimming to promote healthy growth and maintain their shape. Pruning is particularly important during the transition seasons; spring and fall. This also helps prevent overgrowth and keeps your outdoor space looking neat. Fertilizing and Soil Health Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving landscape. Fertilization is key to replenishing the nutrients in your soil and helping your plants and lawn grow strong. You may also need to mulch in the spring for color and vibrancy year-round. Choosing a Maintenance Plan: What to Look for in a Service Provider If you’re unsure where to start, or simply don’t have the time to maintain your landscape yourself, enlisting the help of a professional landscape maintenance service can make all the difference. Here’s what to look for when choosing a maintenance provider: Experience and Expertise The right landscape care team should have experience in both design and maintenance. Look for a service provider that understands the specific needs of your plants, your outdoor space, and the materials used in your landscape design. Customized Plans Every landscape is unique, so your maintenance plan should be tailored to your specific needs. Whether you have a lush garden or a functional outdoor space, a professional service should offer personalized care plans. Proactive Maintenance Look for a provider who takes a proactive approach to landscape care. Instead of just reacting to problems, a good team will anticipate needs like irrigation adjustments, seasonal pruning, and fertilization. Landscape maintenance is vital to ensuring that your landscape not only survives but thrives. By investing in the right aftercare practices, you’ll preserve the beauty, functionality, and health of your outdoor space, making it a source of enjoyment for years to come. At Alfresco, we understand the importance of maintaining a healthy, beautiful landscape. Our team of experts is here to help with every aspect of landscape maintenance, from seasonal adjustments to regular maintenance schedules. Ready to give your landscape the care it deserves? Contact us today for a consultation, and let us help you maintain the beauty and health of your outdoor space.

Mulching is one of the best ways to keep your lawn healthy and reduce yard work. While many people associate mulch with the wood chips or bark used in flower beds, mulching can also refer to the practice of mowing and grinding up grass clippings and fallen leaves and leaving them on your lawn for the pieces to settle into the turf soil. This simple step provides significant benefits for your yard's health and helps improve soil quality naturally. In this post, we’ll clarify what mulching means when it comes to lawn care, why it's important, and when to mulch for the best results. What is Lawn Mulching? In the context of lawn care, mulching refers to the act of mowing and finely chopping up your grass clippings and fallen leaves, allowing them to remain on your lawn rather than being bagged up or thrown away. This type of mulching is different from traditional garden mulch (such as wood chips or bark) used to cover flower beds, and the benefits to your lawn are great. The small, finely chopped pieces of grass and leaves break down quickly and return valuable nutrients to the soil. This process helps improve soil health and promotes a more vibrant, thriving lawn. The best part? It requires little extra effort and reduces waste by keeping organic material on your lawn. Why Lawn Mulching is Important Mulching your grass clippings and leaves can significantly improve the health and appearance of your lawn. Here's why: 1. Retains Moisture Mulched grass clippings and leaves help reduce moisture evaporation from the soil, keeping your lawn hydrated, especially during hot or dry periods. This helps conserve water and reduces the need for frequent watering, keeping your grass green and healthy. 2. Reduces Lawn Maintenance Instead of bagging grass clippings or raking up leaves, mulching them back into the lawn helps break them down naturally. Over time, these decomposed clippings and leaves add nutrients like nitrogen and carbon back into the soil, reducing your need for chemical fertilizers. 3. Suppresses Weeds A light layer of mulched grass and leaves can help suppress weed growth by blocking sunlight from reaching weed seeds. This means fewer weeds to pull and a cleaner, healthier lawn. 4. Improves Soil Health As organic matter like grass clippings and leaves decomposes, it improves the structure and fertility of your soil. The nutrients returned to the soil help your grass grow stronger and more resilient, leading to a thicker, greener lawn. 5. Acts as a Natural Fertilizer The decomposition of mulched grass clippings and leaves provide a slow-release fertilizer to your lawn, enriching the soil with essential nutrients without the need for synthetic chemicals. By mulching your grass clippings and leaves, you're not only reducing waste but also fostering a healthier, more sustainable lawn that thrives with less water, fewer chemicals, and less effort on your part. When is the Best Time to Mulch? For the best results, mulch your grass clippings and leaves regularly throughout the growing season. During the active growing season (spring through early fall), mulching your clippings each time you mow helps continuously nourish your lawn. In autumn, mulching fallen leaves can prevent them from smothering your grass while adding valuable organic matter to the soil. Need Help with Lawn Care? Ready to enhance your lawn’s health and appearance? Contact Alfresco Landscapes for expert advice on mulching and other lawn care tips to help your yard thrive. Let us help you create the lawn you’ve always wanted—beautiful, sustainable, and low-maintenance!

Your front yard is your chance to make a great first impression; and is the first thing visitors and passersby notice about your home. A thoughtfully designed front yard can set the tone for the entire property, enhancing both its curb appeal and functionality. Whether you’re aiming to boost your home’s value, create a welcoming atmosphere, or construct a more usable space, designing a beautiful front yard is a crucial step. In this post, we’ll explain what front yard landscaping is, why it matters, and provide actionable steps to help you create a stunning and functional outdoor space. What is Front Yard Landscaping? Front yard landscaping involves the strategic design and arrangement of elements like plants, hardscaping (such as walkways and driveways), irrigation, and lighting in the front portion of your property. The goal is to create a visually inviting and functional space that enhances the overall curb appeal of your home. Why Does Front Yard Landscaping Matter? A well-designed front yard offers several key benefits: Boosts Curb Appeal: An attractive, well-maintained front yard instantly enhances your home’s exterior, making a lasting first impression. Noise Reduction: Well-placed shrubs and trees can help absorb or block noise from streets or neighboring properties, creating a more peaceful and quiet environment around your home. Increases Property Value: Homes with well-designed landscaping can sell for 15-20% more than homes without it (Bankrate, 2023). A beautifully landscaped front yard can significantly increase your property’s market value and make it sell faster. By investing in front yard landscaping, you’re not just improving your property’s appearance—you’re creating a space that enhances your home and becomes an extension of your personal style. How to Design Your Perfect Front Yard Landscape Designing your front yard may seem like a daunting task, but by following a few simple steps, you can transform your outdoor space into something both beautiful and functional. If you're feeling overwhelmed, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Here’s how we approach front yard landscape design: 1. Assessing Your Space and Defining Your Goals The first step in designing your front yard is understanding the space you’re working with and clarifying your goals. At Alfresco, we start with an onsite consultation to evaluate factors like the size and shape of your yard, soil conditions, the architecture of your home, and existing elements (such as trees, shrubs, and hardscaping). We’ll also discuss your vision for the space by answering key questions such as: What kind of atmosphere do you want to create? What kind of design will pair best with the style of your home? Are you seeking more privacy or security with elements like hedges, lighting, or fences? Do you have specific needs for your front yard, such as parking, gardening, or pathways? What is your budget? By understanding your vision and needs, we can create a design that aligns with your goals. 2. Creating a Custom Design Plan With your goals in mind, our team will craft a custom design tailored to your front yard. We’ll blend plants, trees, lighting and hardscaping elements to bring your vision to life. Our approach includes: Strategic plant placement: Adding color, texture, and structure throughout the growing season with flower beds, shrubs, and trees. Hardscaping: Designing functional walkways and patios that complement your home’s architecture. Outdoor lighting and irrigation: Enhancing both aesthetics and practicality by improving accessibility, protecting your investment, and ensuring your plants thrive. The goal is a balanced design that’s visually striking, functional, and sustainable. 3. Choosing the Right Plants and Materials Choosing the right plants and materials is essential for both aesthetics and durability. At Alfresco, we have deep knowledge of local plant species and materials suited to our climate and soil types. We’ll recommend options that not only look great but thrive in your environment, all while meeting your budget goals. It’s important to note that materials from local stores will not always meet the same quality standards as professional-grade landscaping materials. We’ll help you select high-quality options that are built to last. 4. Adding Personal Touches To make your front yard truly your own, we recommend adding personal touches that reflect your style. Whether it’s a fountain for added tranquility, colorful planters to showcase your favorite flowers, or seasonal decorations, we’ll help you incorporate unique elements that make your front yard feel like home. Why Choose Alfresco Landscapes? At Alfresco, we believe that every front yard has the potential to become a stunning reflection of your home and style. Our team of experienced landscapers is passionate about creating designs that are both beautiful and functional. From the initial consultation to the final touches, we’re with you every step of the way, ensuring your front yard transforms into a space you’ll love. Our expert knowledge, combined with attention to detail, guarantees a landscape that enhances the beauty of your home and meets your practical needs. Ready to Transform Your Front Yard? If you’re ready to elevate your front yard into a beautiful, functional outdoor space, Alfresco Landscapes is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s work together to bring your vision to life.

When you embark on a journey, it’s always best to start with a plan.

For homeowners and landscape designers, finding the right balance is key to making the most of your outdoor space—both for fun and practicality. At Alfresco, our landscape designers are ready to help you begin your project. Remember, a well-thought-out landscape design can transform your outdoor area into a beautiful and functional retreat.

When it comes to landscaping, the term "low maintenance" can be misleading, especially here in West Michigan. At Alfresco, we specialize in landscape design that strikes a balance between beauty and practicality, ensuring your outdoor space is as effortless as possible.

Establishing a realistic budget, choosing a reputable company that provides detailed quotes, and making sure you understand the expenses and inclusions in your proposal will help you navigate the complexities of landscaping costs with confidence.

When it comes to patios, there are plenty of fun ways to use them. Here are some ideas to help improve your backyard. Let's take a look!