The Best Garden Nurseries for Beginning Gardeners: Grand Haven, Michigan Area

It's that time of year again. Time begin planting those flower and vegetable gardens. Those of you just beginning your foray into gardening may be asking one very important question: where do I start? Well, if you live around the Grand Haven, Michigan area let me recommend three of my personal favorites. All three of these garden nurseries offer a wide selection of flowers, vegetables, seeds, and bulbs in case you need a little inspiration to get you started. Sure, you could go to Meijer, Wal-Mart, or Home Depot and spend a bit less money, but for the beginning gardener, you can't put a price on the customer service and advice provided by these local garden nurseries.

Countryside Greenhouse

Current Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm
(616)895-5000
7235 Pingree Street, Allendale, MI 49401
countrysidegreenhouse.com

Products: Annuals (flats and potted), perennials, vegetable seedlings, herbs, hanging baskets, houseplants, evergreens, flowering shrubs, trees, patio planters, specialty plants, water plants, décor (including fertilizers, garden décor, iron works, and wooden trellises), lawn care needs, bulbs, seeds

This place is huge! One of the biggest nurseries in West Michigan, Countryside Greenhouse was established in 1982 as a wholesale nursery. They are now exclusively a retail nursery, serving area home gardeners. Their motto is "committed to highest quality at the lowest price" and they really deliver on this promise. They are able to offer near wholesale prices because they apply their vast knowledge of large scale cultivation from their wholesale days. They even produce and mix their own soil!

Countryside has such an incredible selection of plants, that it almost boggles the mind. Their plants are also incredibly healthy and hardy. I have never had one of their plants fail to produce beyond my expectations.

Parking has been my biggest challenge at Countryside. Per their website, they recommend the best time to shop is Thursday morning as it is the least busy time and they are fully restocked from weekend. If you do choose to go on a weekend, be aware that they often overfill their 350 car lot, so get there early for the best parking and selection of plants. Also, their 8-acre facility can be intimidating and a bit of a long haul with toddlers in tow so prepare accordingly. They have a concession stand for snacks and drinks, but it may be best to leave the little ones home, especially on your first visit.

Countryside has a guest services desk to assist customers in finding their way around, maps of the entire greenhouse available, and ample employees out in the greenhouse to assist customers. Their customer service is truly second to none! Their website offers helpful driving directions to the nursery from Lansing, Grand Rapids, Holland, and Grand Haven areas as well as from I-96. You can e-mail the greenhouse for info on current availability of particular plant varieties before making the trip.

Hidden Grove
Opens Friday, April 16; 19^th Annual Open House Saturday, April 24
April Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-2pm, Closed Sunday
(616)846-7908
15872 Stanton Road, West Olive, Michigan 49460
www.hiddengrove.com

Products: annuals, bi-annuals, perennials, trees, flowering shrubs and much more

This garden nursery located between Grand Haven and Holland, specializes in a wide variety of unique plants. They offer classes in addition to a superb selection of plants, perfect for the beginning gardener. Hidden Grove's plants and flowers can be found at the Grand Haven Farmer's Market in the summer time. It can be a challenge to find this garden nursery, as it is "truly hidden". You need to look carefully for signs on the south side of the road.

Grand Haven Garden House
Hours: Monday - Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 8am-1pm
(616)842-8680
901 S. Beacon Blvd, Grand Haven, Michigan 49417
www.ghgardenhouse.com

Products: annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, roses, hanging baskets, tropical plants, soil, bark, fertilizer, ground cover, and water garden supplies

In business since 1983, the Grand Haven Garden House is located just minutes from the shores of Lake Michigan in beautiful Grand Haven, Michigan. Open year round, they have a great variety of plants, especially given their limited size. The staff is wonderful and very knowledgeable. Always a great experience.

Sources
countrysidegreenhouse.com
www.hiddengrove.com
www.ghgardenhouse.com