“Backyard of Dreams” at Show’s Center

            Mike Hoeksema has been working in the landscaping business since he was five years old.  As much as he’s learned since then – and that’s a lot – he’ll be the first to tell you that in some ways he is no different.

            “I still get really excited at the thought of pushing around huge piles of dirt,” he says.  “And it’s hard for me to think of many things that are cooler than a tree house.”

            Hoeksema gets to indulge both these enduring passions when he creates a “Backyard of Dreams” with his design for this year’s Association of Grand Rapids Landscape Professionals central garden at the West Michigan Home and Garden Show.  

Each year, AGRLP members select a colleague to design their signature garden for the Show, and Hoeksema, owner of Wabeke Lawn Service and Snowplowing, Inc, has accepted the honor with a strong sense of responsibility.

            “I probably already have over 100 hours just into the garden’s design,” he says, noting that number will increase several-fold as the actual installation work begins, the week before the show opens.  “I really want the result to be something that people will remember long after the show ends.”

            Undoubtedly, visitors will be talking about the custom tree house rising to about 14’ above the floor.  “We’re bringing in a maple tree we recently cut down on some property that will be perfect for it,” he says.  “Wagner Builders will put in the tree house, which will have a swing set leg coming off it and a play area underneath.”

            For those who prefer more grounded buildings, Hoeksema says that Rockford-based Barn Cats is reconstructing a vintage 12’ x 24’ barn for the garden.  “It will be set up for walking through,” Hoeksema says, “and bring the kids, because we plan on having animals.”

            Anchoring the more practical aspects of his dream yard, Hoeksema says he will have a good size vegetable garden, promising corn, beans, peas, radishes, cukes and more.   “More and more people are growing food in their own yards, for economic reasons and just because it’s fun and really good,” he says. 

            Plus, Hoeksema promises a gorgeous stream-fed pond and waterfall, complete with a walking bridge.  Those who wish to sit and enjoy the garden can do so on the two patio areas that comprise over 800 square feet of brick pavers. 

            “One of the patio areas has a custom 14’ x 14’ cedar pergola, and the other has a nice firepit area,” Hoeksema says.  “They should be really nice spaces to sit, and of course they’ll be surrounded by all kinds of blooming flowers which is welcome at this time of year!”

            In fact, Hoeksema promises to dazzle flower lovers with well over 1000 bulbs, annuals, and perennials in the garden, including crocus, daffodils, hyacinth, coral bells, salvia, daylily, candytuft, sedum, astilbe, iris, hostas and coreopsis.

And then there are the trees and shrubs…