
Store Hours
Mon-Sat:
6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun:
8:00am - 8:00pm
Curbside:
09:00am - 6:00pm
Location
When you're ready to seed your lawn, our calculator helps you estimate the amount of grass seed you'll need to get the job done.
Enter your preferred material, the square footage and mulch depth of the coverage space for accurate results.
We'll calculate the amount of fencing you should purchase based on your property needs.
Which planting zone am I in?
Check the USDA planting zone map, as planting zones have changed slightly over the years. Zones with higher numbers can plant earlier in the year. Choose plants that are meant for your zone and increase your odds of gardening success.
Can I just put seeds in the ground?
If the soil is warm and pliable, consider planting your flower, veggie, or fruit seeds directly into your garden. This is called the "direct sow" method. Plant after the threat of frost is gone for the season, as sprouts and seedlings can't weather those conditions. You can also start your seeds indoors if you'd like. Consult your seed package for how and when to sow seeds.
Do you carry organic plants and seeds?
Yes, we've got a variety of organic options, including organic veggie seeds and fruit seeds, as well as organic herb and flower seeds that are subject to availability. We carry the organic soil to plant them in as well as the organic fertilizer to feed your plants.
Do I have to harden off my seedlings before planting them outside?
Yes, if you raised plants indoors from seeds in your own plant nursery, harden them before you transplant them. Hardening allows your seedlings to adjust to the great outdoors and rain, sun, and temperature swings, making them more resilient against cold snaps. It slows their growth until they're strong and ready to take off during a spring warm front.
How do I prepare for planting seeds or transplants outside?
Before you plant, make sure that the soil is healthy, it's warm enough outside, and your plant will have the right amount of sun. Check your seed package to see if it likes full sun, shade, or partial sun, as well as what time of year it should be planted. Space your plants as described on the seed packet for best results so your plant babies have room to flourish.
Should I use peat moss starters or coir starters?
Seed starters, full of nutrients in convenient pots or pellets, work for new and experienced gardeners. You don't have to use these starters if you're planting in soil, but you may want to. Starting seeds in peat pots works best for delicately rooted plants like cucumbers and eggplant, as well as flowers that require an acidic pH. Some people prefer coir starters instead, as they have a neutral pH. Check what type of soil your plants need to help narrow it down, and chat with a garden center associate if you need more info.
Celebrate Springtime Gardening
On beautiful spring days, tidy the yard before everything blooms in earnest. You can also add beauty and interest with water features, hardscaping, and stonework. Don't forget to sweep the gazebo and clean out the shed in preparation for spring, too. No matter which plants you need and what outdoor projects you choose to tackle, search for your local plant nursery and find that The Home Depot Brownwood Garden Center can help you enjoy your spring activities to the fullest.
Plant Hardiness Zones Explained
The first thing to learn when planting vegetables, spring flowers, and other seeds is your planting zone. Every location in the U.S. and its territories is sorted by climate. Find your zone on the USDA zone map and learn when to plant seeds.
For example, you could plant bell pepper seedlings outdoors in mid-March in Zone 10, but not until the end of May in Zone 4. The plants that'll thrive in your area are in your zone — plus all the zones numbered less than that. In other words, a Zone 5 garden can support plants listed as Zones 1–5. The timeframe to direct sow outdoors in your garden is often around a month later than the indoor start date. Be sure to read your seed packet for details. If you start them later than recommended, it's not ideal, but it should even out as time passes.
Gardening in Your Growing Zone
If you're in Zone 6–8, check out certain herbs and cruciferous veggies if you're ready to get planting. This includes broccoli, cabbage, and kale. Greens like spinach, artichokes, early-blooming annuals like marigolds, and fragrant herbs, including parsley, basil, and oregano, also don't mind an early beginning. Traditional garden vegetables like peppers of all kinds, cucumbers, and tomatoes are fine with an early spring or late winter planting indoors under the grow lights.
Look up the date of your last predicted frost, then count backward 6 to 8 weeks. That's the time you should start your seeds indoors. The idea is to have strong baby plants that are ready for transplant at the same time the ground is warm enough. Do your best and enjoy the process — watching your plants grow, bloom, and put out tiny veggies that'll grow to harvest size is part of the fun.
Plant Seeds Outside With Direct Sow
Planting seeds with the direct sow method, right into the soil, is another option. There's less tending and planning than growing indoors. If you like to go with the flow, follow the instructions on your seed pouch and give it a try.
Prepare to deal with whatever hand nature deals you: You may have no germinating seeds. A critter may munch the tender seedlings for a snack. All the seeds you plant in each hole may sprout, so you'll need to thin them out by only leaving the most robust sprouts. Flooding rains might disturb the ground and wash away the seeds. But if you're lucky, you'll get strong sprouts that are ready to grow all spring.
Start Seeds Indoors
If you'd like more control over your seedlings' journey or you're eager to get growing, start your seeds indoors in your own seedling garden. In general, you can plant seeds indoors about a month before you can do it outside. Like direct sow, you push the seeds into the soil as directed on the seed packet, but that's where the similarities end.
You're responsible for giving them quality substitutes for sunlight and rain. Keep your seeds cozy with warming mats and grow lights, water them carefully with a spray bottle or watering can, then thin them as they germinate in groups of three. Give them a boost with a gently blowing fan as they lengthen into sprouts if you'd like. Harden them off to get them used to outdoor conditions, then transplant them into your garden when they're big enough.
Transplant Young Plants Into Their New Homes
You've raised your baby plants from seeds, watched them sprout, and carefully hardened them off to brave Mother Nature. By now, your plants have 3 or 4 real leaves — they'll look different from the miniature seedling leaves. When the ground is warm, and you're not expecting soaking rain, look into transplanting your small plants into their new outdoor home. "Transplant" means that you put these small plants straight into the garden soil or into pots. In cases where you directly planted into the ground, you may still want to shuffle plants around for the best sun and spacing. That's also a transplant situation, as is repotting plants into larger pots.
Protect Your Garden With Mulch
Finish your flower bed with compost and mulch. Mulch keeps your soil from drying out and controls weeds. Compost enriches the soil so your garden can grow even better. It may help foster larger plants that bear more fruit and flowers. Compost and mulch can be DIY creations, but you can also purchase them in-store. The next time you're looking for "mulch near me," stop by the Garden Center to get the right amount.
Greet the Spring
Late winter into early spring is an exciting time in the world of gardening. Plan your garden and landscaping, prepare to fertilize your lawn, and browse The Home Depot nursery to find inspiration on what to plant when the weather warms. For those without lawns, consider adding an outdoor rug or artificial grass to your outdoor space. Shop for the seeds, fertilizer, and soil you need in the aisles of your Brownwood Garden Center, online, or on our mobile app. Let's get growing together.