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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.
What number planting zone am I in?
Check the USDA plant hardiness zone map, as planting zones have shifted slightly through the years. Zones with higher numbers can plant earlier in the year. Increase your odds of successful gardening by choosing plants that are meant for your zone.
What's direct sow?
If the soil isn't cold and frozen, consider planting your flower, fruit, or veggie seeds directly into your garden. This is called the "direct sow" method. The time to plant will be 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.
How do I plant seeds?
The best source of information is the seed envelope your garden-to-be came in. It's key to successfully growing fruits, veggies, and spring flowers — indoors or outdoors. Requirements vary from one type of fruit, flower, or veggie plant to the next. Certain seeds should only be planted indoors, and your seed packet will tell you that, too. You'll be a pro at planting seeds in no time.
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 first before you transplant them. Hardening allows your seedlings to adjust to outdoor life and the fluctuating spring weather, 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.
What should I do before planting seeds or transplants outside?
Before you plant, make sure that your plant will have the right amount of sun, it's warm enough outside, and the soil is healthy. Check your seed envelope 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 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 alike. 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 carrots and beets, 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.
Protect wood from carpenter bees with our guide on sealing surfaces, using traps, and applying safe pest control methods.
Check out our tips on banishing gnats indoors and out using traps, sprays, and moisture control to keep your home pest-free.
Safely remove poison ivy with our guide on protective gear, cutting techniques, and herbicide use for effective eradication.
Maintain a healthy lawn using organic methods like manual weeding, natural herbicides, and proper lawn care practices.
Grow apples successfully with our guide on choosing varieties, planting, pruning, and pest control for a bountiful harvest.
Cultivate thriving grapes with our step-by-step tips on site selection, trellising, pruning, and disease prevention.
Celebrate Springtime Gardening
It's time to start thinking of spring. Clean out the shed and sweep the gazebo to prepare for sprouts poking up, fragrant breezes, and warmer temperatures. Planting seeds indoors means you'll be ready to transplant spring flowers and young veggie plants when the ground thaws and the frosts are through. You might even want to sow seeds directly into the earth. What better way to start than by exploring your favorite local plant nursery, The Home Depot Garden Center in Dixie Hwy, KY?
Plant Hardiness Zones Explained
The first thing you should know 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 planting zone map and learn when to plant seeds.
For example, you could transplant bell peppers 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. You can plant seeds indoors roughly a month before you can plant them outside, known as direct sow. Always read your seed packet for details. If you start them a little later than recommended, it's not ideal, but it will likely even out as time passes.
Gardening in Your Growing Zone
Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee are in Zones 6–8. Cruciferous veggies and certain herbs are ready to grow when you're ready to plant. This includes cabbage, kale, and broccoli. Greens like spinach and artichokes, early-blooming annuals like marigolds, and fragrant herbs, including parsley, basil, and oregano, also don't mind an early beginning. Even in the highest peaks of West Virginia in Zone 5b, traditional garden vegetables like peppers of all kinds, cucumbers, and tomatoes are fine with an early spring or late winter start indoors under the grow lights.
Look up the date of your last predicted frost, then count backward 6 to 8 weeks. That's when you should sow 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 into your garden soil, or using the direct sow method, is an alternative 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 try it out.
Prepare to deal with whatever hand nature deals you: Be ready for all your seeds to sprout, none of them to come up, and anything in between. Your seedlings will need to survive wind, rain, and sudden cold temperatures, as well as rodents and insects that want a crunchy green snack. But if you're lucky, you'll get strong sprouts that are ready to grow all spring.
Start Seeds Indoors
If you're eager to get growing or would like more control in the care and feeding of seedlings, 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 sun and rain. Keep your seeds warm with heat 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
When your plants have three or four true leaves — different from mini seedling leaves — transplant them. In quality soil, dig a hole the same size as the dirt plug where your transplant has been growing. If your ground soil isn't great, dig a slightly bigger hole and fill the extra space with nutrient-rich topsoil. Apply fertilizer as directed. Only apply as much as recommended, as you could burn the plant and kill it instead of helping it along.
Protect Your Garden With Mulch
Finish off your garden with compost and mulch. Mulch keeps your soil moist and controls weeds. Compost enriches the soil so your garden can grow even better. It may help foster larger plants that bear more flowers and fruit. Mulch and compost 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
Early spring is an exciting time in the world of gardening. Prepare to fertilize your lawn, plan your garden and landscaping, and browse The Home Depot nursery to find inspiration on what to plant when the weather warms. For those without lawns, consider adding a pellet grill or artificial grass to your outdoor space. Shop for the seeds, soil, and fertilizer you need in the aisles of your Dixie Hwy, KY Garden Center, online, or on our mobile app. Let's get growing together.
8232 Preston Hwy
Louisville, KY 40219
8.47 mi
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Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm
2239 State St
New Albany, IN 47150
10.53 mi
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964 Breckenridge Ln
Louisville, KY 40207
11.99 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
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